Love is patient and kind… it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. – 1 Corinthians 13:4, 6
Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son and elder brother (Luke 15:11-32) has several applications. One of these applications is that the love of God is available to those who have not earned it and do not deserve it.
In fifteen short phrases, the apostle Paul describes to the Corinthians the way a follower of Christ should relate to every other person with whom they interact. The love that he defines is not natural but is a style of life that is only accomplished due to the love of God that was shown through the gift of His Son to wretched sinners – a love that is only possible with the presence of the Holy Spirit.
In the middle of his list, Paul says that love will not “rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). Love that is true will speak uplifting words rather than talk about someone else’s sin. While the Lord longs to lead people out of their unrighteousness, He accepts and loves them where they are. Seek to find the good in each person, but realize that you cannot excuse the sin “for the sake of love.” God’s truth in His Word provides the standard. Ask the Lord to lead you into all truth, including the proper application of His agape love.
Bible commentator Kenneth L. Chafin wrote that “the presence of love both enhances all the other [God-given] gifts and makes up even for inadequacies.” A love that is selfless and seeks the truth encourages others. In these turbulent times, pray that God’s kind of love will be evident in those believers who serve as officials in government. May this nation once again rejoice in truth.
Today’s Verse: 1 Corinthians 13:4-6
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 2 John 1:4-11
4 I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. 5 And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
