The triumph of LOVE

"[Love] endures all things" (1 Cor. 13:7)

Love triumphs over opposition.
Endurance is the final characteristic of love that Paul mentions in this passage. The Greek word translated "endures" in verse 7 is a military term that speaks of being positioned in the middle of a violent battle. It refers not to withstanding minor annoyances, but incredible opposition. Love does that without ceasing to love.

Stephen is a good example of enduring love. He preached God's message without compromise, but his enemies stoned him to death. His last act was to fall on his knees, crying out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them!" (Acts 7:59). A lesser man might have hated his tormentors, but not Stephen. He forgave them and beseeched God to do likewise, following the example of his Lord, who on the cross prayed, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing" (Luke 23:34). That's the endurance of godly love.

Love bears all hurts, sins, and disappointments. It never broadcasts them but makes every attempt to reconcile and restore sinners. Love believes the best about others and is never cynical or suspicious. Even when it's under severe attack, it forgives and clings to the hope of God's power and promises. That kind of love should characterise every believer.

Your love may not be perfect, but it should be obvious. If you're struggling with implementing love in some area of your life, remember these five keys:

• Acknowledge that love is a command (Roman 13:8-10: Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet," and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
• Agree that you have the spiritual resources to love others as God loves you (Rom. 5:5: hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.)
• Understand that loving others is normal Christian behaviour (Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7, ESV)
• Realise that love is the Spirit's work (But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (Galatians 5:22, ESV)
• Be fervent in your love for others ( Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, (1 Peter 1:22, ESV; Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:8, ESV)
Godly love should be your highest purpose and greatest joy ( "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?" And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:36-40 ESV)

As you love others, you glorify Christ and make Him known to the world.

Suggestions for Prayer
Review the fifteen characteristics of love: 
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4, ESV) 

Ask God to increase each of them in your life today!


Shalom, 
Melanie


(inspired by John McArthur's 'Grace To You' teachings)

Comments

  1. UnknownSeptember 3, 2019 at 10:32 PM

    Thank be to God Al mighty for His Heart full of love for us .I praise God for His Mercy and grace.bye Mamie


    ReplyDelete

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