If anyone does not love the Lord–a curse be upon him. Come, O Lord! (1 Corinthians 16:22)

Ouch

I mean, isn’t that a little extreme–calling down curses?

Aren’t we supposed to love everybody?

Beloved, Paul has spent sixteen chapters preaching love and teaching love and describing love and demonstrating love. Now, at the end of his letter, he gets down to brass tacks.

Did they have brass tacks in Paul’s day? Good question

The point is, in the end people are going to make one of two choices.

They will love the Lord

or 

they will not.

Those who do not will fall under the curse that we all deserve.

Those who do will cry with Paul, “Come, O Lord!”

I know which team I’m on.

Happy Thursday, Beloved.