In the mirror

This week we begin worship with:

1 Corinthians 13:12

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.

This verse comes after the wonderful definition of love (1 Corinthians 13:1-7), which concludes with this important statement:

1 Corinthians 13:8

Love never ends. 

While we easily recall that love bears all things, we often forget that for that to be true, it must then never end.  

Leaving the reader stunned at our insufficiency to love in this way, Paul goes on to speak of our transition through life.  At that end of which we experience one more transition from observing in a mirror dimly to seeing face to face.

Reading too quickly, we might assume that the person whom we will see face-to-face, is Christ.  While that is true, in this passage Paul is describing when we will be seeing ourselves face-to-face.  

For we will then see clearly for the first time all our faults. We will then know, as Christ does, all the times that He had endured our sin and still loved us.  It is His love that never ends.