2022_06_17 Insight Post- Emma Keeton
This week’s reading- 1 Corinthians 13-14
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul speaks of God’s perfect love. There is nothing on this earth that can compare to the purity and totality of God’s love. At the end of this chapter, Paul switches from speaking about God’s love at work through us here on the earth, to God’s love being complete in eternity. In just one verse, Paul gives us a glimpse of what it will be like to be faced with God:
“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12
Paul’s use of a mirror to describe how Jesus is seen now would have made absolute sense to the Corinthians. Corinth was famous for producing some of the best mirrors, but mirrors in the ancient world did not give off the crystal-clear reflection they do now. They were made of polished metals, so their reflection was distorted. So now we see Jesus only partially, but in heaven, we will see Him with absolute clarity and know Him fully.
1 Corinthians 13:12 tells us that in eternity we’ll be aware that we are fully known. Even though the bible tells us that God knows each of us completely, we cannot grasp what that means. It has been said that an unhindered, unrestricted presence of God will make heaven, heaven. There is a longing in our souls to be known and understood by those around us, but God has written eternity on our hearts. (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The longings and desires we have now will ultimately be satisfied when we see Jesus.
Many of us are afraid when we think about heaven and prefer not to think of it at all. But the promise of eternal fellowship with God is a hope that can ground us in our present reality. It is no secret that this world is temporary, and we will not live forever. After we have ‘run the race set before us,’ the prize of heaven awaits.
“Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12b
Emma Keeton
Prayer Team Lead