For
I am the least of the apostles, and not fit to be called an apostle, because I
persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His
grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them,
yet not I, but the grace of God with me. Whether then it was I or they,
so we preach and so you believed.
(1 Corinthians 15:9-11, NASB)
We are all the “least of the apostles.” None of us deserves God’s grace. None
of us.
Yet that’s exactly what God offers to us. Grace. Unmerited favor. Getting what
we don’t deserve.
Most of us didn’t persecute the church of God, but we sinned. Each and every
one of us. Some of us “worse” than others, certainly. But each of us has
sinned. Each of has broken the heart of our Lord and Savior. Each of us
deserves eternal separation from Him.
Yet, if we receive the gift of salvation by receiving Christ as our Savior, we
are covered by God’s grace. We receive eternity with our Lord and Savior.
We receive so much of what we don’t deserve. Even those of us who have been the
worst of sinners.
Grace is ours … We just have to ask.
Wednesday, May 09, 2012
Tuesday, May 08, 2012
Sharing the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:3-8)
For
I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ
died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that
He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He
appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than
five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom remain until now, but some have
fallen asleep; then He appeared to James, then to all the apostles; and last of
all, as to one untimely born, He appeared to me also.
(1 Corinthians 15:3-8, NASB)
Yesterday, Paul wrote of how the gospel needs to be received and then stood by and held fast. Today’s verses are the gospel in a “nutshell.”
You may have heard of the “elevator speech”? It’s when you’re able to describe or illustrate something in the time it takes to ride an elevator up a high-rise building. In just 99 words, Paul defines “gospel,” which could definitely be said in less than a minute. We Christians should memorize these verses so that we’re prepared to quickly and succinctly share the truth.
So many of us are intimated when we think of sharing the gospel. We’re content to let preachers and teacher do the work for us. Yet we’re all called to share God’s truth. In fact, we’re commanded to do so. Jesus’ final words to His disciples apply to us as well: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).
Yet it’s not easy. We’re not quite sure what to say, and we’re afraid we might be asked something we can’t answer. Perhaps having just 99 words that completely encapsulate the truth would help: Jesus died for our sins and was buried and was resurrected according to the scripture. And we know this to be true because He appeared to many—many—before He ascended to heaven.
Share the truth. Share the gospel. Share the 99 words.
(1 Corinthians 15:3-8, NASB)
Yesterday, Paul wrote of how the gospel needs to be received and then stood by and held fast. Today’s verses are the gospel in a “nutshell.”
You may have heard of the “elevator speech”? It’s when you’re able to describe or illustrate something in the time it takes to ride an elevator up a high-rise building. In just 99 words, Paul defines “gospel,” which could definitely be said in less than a minute. We Christians should memorize these verses so that we’re prepared to quickly and succinctly share the truth.
So many of us are intimated when we think of sharing the gospel. We’re content to let preachers and teacher do the work for us. Yet we’re all called to share God’s truth. In fact, we’re commanded to do so. Jesus’ final words to His disciples apply to us as well: “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15).
Yet it’s not easy. We’re not quite sure what to say, and we’re afraid we might be asked something we can’t answer. Perhaps having just 99 words that completely encapsulate the truth would help: Jesus died for our sins and was buried and was resurrected according to the scripture. And we know this to be true because He appeared to many—many—before He ascended to heaven.
Share the truth. Share the gospel. Share the 99 words.
Monday, May 07, 2012
Receive the Gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-2)
Now
I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also
you received, in which also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold
fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain.
(1 Corinthians 15:1-2, NASB)
As most of us know, “gospel” means good news. Specifically, it means the good news of salvation through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said that He—and only He—is the “way and the truth and the life.” He also said that “no one comes to the Father but through [Him]” (John 14:6).
This is the gospel Paul preached with passion and diligence … and for which he was willing to give his own life. And he definitely practiced what he preached.
He received the gospel when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Yes, he had a supernatural encounter that few of us have, but when he was faced with the truth of the risen Savior, He accepted that truth.
And he stood by and held fast the gospel, devoting his life to sharing the truth throughout his known world. And He suffered for that gospel: In addition to being imprisoned countless times, he wrote, “Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren …” (2 Corinthians 11:24-25).
When we look at “receiving,” most Christians would say that, of course, they received the gospel. That’s why they’re Christians.
But what about standing by and holding fast? Have I devoted my life to sharing the gospel with my known world? Am I willing to suffer for it? Is God—Father, Son, and Spirit—the number-one priority in my life? Do I live to glorify Him by my speech, thoughts, and actions?
What about you?
(1 Corinthians 15:1-2, NASB)
As most of us know, “gospel” means good news. Specifically, it means the good news of salvation through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said that He—and only He—is the “way and the truth and the life.” He also said that “no one comes to the Father but through [Him]” (John 14:6).
This is the gospel Paul preached with passion and diligence … and for which he was willing to give his own life. And he definitely practiced what he preached.
He received the gospel when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Yes, he had a supernatural encounter that few of us have, but when he was faced with the truth of the risen Savior, He accepted that truth.
And he stood by and held fast the gospel, devoting his life to sharing the truth throughout his known world. And He suffered for that gospel: In addition to being imprisoned countless times, he wrote, “Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren …” (2 Corinthians 11:24-25).
When we look at “receiving,” most Christians would say that, of course, they received the gospel. That’s why they’re Christians.
But what about standing by and holding fast? Have I devoted my life to sharing the gospel with my known world? Am I willing to suffer for it? Is God—Father, Son, and Spirit—the number-one priority in my life? Do I live to glorify Him by my speech, thoughts, and actions?
What about you?
Sunday, May 06, 2012
The Greatest of These (1 Cor. 13:8-13)
Love
never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away;
if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it
will be done away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect
comes, the partial will be done away. When I was a child, I used to speak like
a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did
away with childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to
face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been
fully known. But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of
these is love.
(1 Corinthians 13:8-13, NASB)
Love is the only thing that will endure. Love for God. Love for others. Anything else we do on earth will “be done away” and “cease.” All spiritual gifts that God has given us to build His kingdom will also cease. Because when we stand face-to-face with our Father, we will have fulfilled His purpose on earth, and prayerfully, we’ll hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
And while we may understand some of God’s purpose and will while we’re here, one day, we will “know fully just as [we] have been fully known.” The mirror into which we now see dimly will be clear.
So while we’re on earth, we need to love as Jesus loves. With patience, kindness, mercy, and grace. We need to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to love unbelievers and show them the love of Christ. And we need to love our God—Father, Son, and Spirit—heart, soul, mind, and strength.
For, indeed, the greatest of all things is love.
(1 Corinthians 13:8-13, NASB)
Love is the only thing that will endure. Love for God. Love for others. Anything else we do on earth will “be done away” and “cease.” All spiritual gifts that God has given us to build His kingdom will also cease. Because when we stand face-to-face with our Father, we will have fulfilled His purpose on earth, and prayerfully, we’ll hear, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
And while we may understand some of God’s purpose and will while we’re here, one day, we will “know fully just as [we] have been fully known.” The mirror into which we now see dimly will be clear.
So while we’re on earth, we need to love as Jesus loves. With patience, kindness, mercy, and grace. We need to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to love unbelievers and show them the love of Christ. And we need to love our God—Father, Son, and Spirit—heart, soul, mind, and strength.
For, indeed, the greatest of all things is love.
Saturday, May 05, 2012
Love Endures All Things (1 Cor. 13:4-7)
Love
is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not
arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked,
does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in
unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures all
things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)
Love endures all things.
For the last 14 days, we’ve looked at different attributes of love as described by the apostle Paul. This last attribute reminds me that true loving relationships are marathons, not sprints. They’re enduring, long-lasting, strong. This is especially true—or should be—in marriage.
Our world would tell us that love is all passion, and when the passion dies, so does love. Passion is a sprint. And it does ebb and flow. So if your focus is on passion, you’ll hit the finish line and then think it’s all over. Thus the tragic divorce statistics we see.
Love is so much more than passion. Love is intimacy—emotional, spiritual, and physical. It's being there for your mate. It's loving him or her with patience, kindness, without arrogance ... All those things we've been talking about.
Yes, Russ and I have been married 24 years, and believe me, there have been times when passion has stagnated. There have even been times when I really didn’t like what Russ did—and wondered “Who are you and what are you doing in my house?” It was during those times when I chose to love him.
Russ is my best friend. He’s the one who knows me inside and out—and loves me anyway. He’s the one who puts up with my bad moods (yes, I do have them occasionally!), who supports my passion for ministry, who cooks yummy meals, and who I know will be there for me no matter what.
Our love has endured.
If you’re married, please don’t listen to the world’s lies. The grass really isn’t greener on the other side. It’s probably just AstroTurf—a facsimile of the real thing. And if you aren't married yet, but hope to be some day, remember these words. Remember to focus on the marathon, not the sprint.
Choose to love your mate. Love, honor, and cherish, even through the difficult times, even through those times when your mate just isn’t lovable.
Run the race. Finish the marathon.
Endure.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)
Love endures all things.
For the last 14 days, we’ve looked at different attributes of love as described by the apostle Paul. This last attribute reminds me that true loving relationships are marathons, not sprints. They’re enduring, long-lasting, strong. This is especially true—or should be—in marriage.
Our world would tell us that love is all passion, and when the passion dies, so does love. Passion is a sprint. And it does ebb and flow. So if your focus is on passion, you’ll hit the finish line and then think it’s all over. Thus the tragic divorce statistics we see.
Love is so much more than passion. Love is intimacy—emotional, spiritual, and physical. It's being there for your mate. It's loving him or her with patience, kindness, without arrogance ... All those things we've been talking about.
Yes, Russ and I have been married 24 years, and believe me, there have been times when passion has stagnated. There have even been times when I really didn’t like what Russ did—and wondered “Who are you and what are you doing in my house?” It was during those times when I chose to love him.
Russ is my best friend. He’s the one who knows me inside and out—and loves me anyway. He’s the one who puts up with my bad moods (yes, I do have them occasionally!), who supports my passion for ministry, who cooks yummy meals, and who I know will be there for me no matter what.
Our love has endured.
If you’re married, please don’t listen to the world’s lies. The grass really isn’t greener on the other side. It’s probably just AstroTurf—a facsimile of the real thing. And if you aren't married yet, but hope to be some day, remember these words. Remember to focus on the marathon, not the sprint.
Choose to love your mate. Love, honor, and cherish, even through the difficult times, even through those times when your mate just isn’t lovable.
Run the race. Finish the marathon.
Endure.
Friday, May 04, 2012
Love Hopes All Things (1 Cor. 13:4-7)
Love
is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not
arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked,
does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in
unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures
all things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)
Love hopes all things.
Hope is one of my favorite words. Hope. Anticipation.
I especially like Webster’s definition: to “cherish a desire with anticipation” or to “expect with confidence.”
When we love with hope, we anticipate good things from and with the ones we love. We have confidence in their love for us. We hope for a bright future.
As I mentioned a couple of days ago, Russ and I have been together for over 27 years, and we just celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary last month. I still anticipate what’s ahead. I still “expect with confidence” that we have amazing times in store for us. And my hope is that we’ll love each other even more through the coming years!
We Christians live with an even greater hope: eternity in heaven with our Lord God. Talk about “cherish[ing] a desire with anticipation”! I desire nothing more than shedding this earthly skin and being in the very presence of my Lord and Savior. I live in hope for that day.
Where is your hope? Can you really “expect with confidence” the things of this world? Certainly, you can place your hope in trusted people on earth, but your hope—your only real hope—should be in the One who will never leave you or forsake you (Heb. 13:5). The One who loves you with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3).
Place your hope in Him.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)
Love hopes all things.
Hope is one of my favorite words. Hope. Anticipation.
I especially like Webster’s definition: to “cherish a desire with anticipation” or to “expect with confidence.”
When we love with hope, we anticipate good things from and with the ones we love. We have confidence in their love for us. We hope for a bright future.
As I mentioned a couple of days ago, Russ and I have been together for over 27 years, and we just celebrated our 24th wedding anniversary last month. I still anticipate what’s ahead. I still “expect with confidence” that we have amazing times in store for us. And my hope is that we’ll love each other even more through the coming years!
We Christians live with an even greater hope: eternity in heaven with our Lord God. Talk about “cherish[ing] a desire with anticipation”! I desire nothing more than shedding this earthly skin and being in the very presence of my Lord and Savior. I live in hope for that day.
Where is your hope? Can you really “expect with confidence” the things of this world? Certainly, you can place your hope in trusted people on earth, but your hope—your only real hope—should be in the One who will never leave you or forsake you (Heb. 13:5). The One who loves you with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3).
Place your hope in Him.
Thursday, May 03, 2012
Love Believes All Things (1 Cor. 13:4-7)
Love
is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not
arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked,
does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in
unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)
Love believes all things.
I spoke at an event a year or so ago with the theme of "Loving Others, Valuing Everyone," and I said that the one attribute of love that was missing from Paul’s list was, “Love is trustworthy.” After meditating on the words we’re focusing on today, I think I may be wrong. Today’s attribute is close.
If I love someone—truly love him—I’ll believe the best of him. I’ll believe he’ll do his best. He’ll be loyal and kind. He’ll be faithful to me. In fact, I’ll believe he’s worthy of my trust.
In return, I need to be the same for him. This is the relationship I’m blessed to have with my husband. I know he’ll be faithful to me. I know he’ll love me through sickness and health, good times and bad, riches and poverty … because he has.
So I can believe he’ll be the same in the next year or five or ten.
Love isn’t blind. That’s certain. If someone has clear issues—anger, a tendency to belittle, a history of infidelity—you should avoid an intimate relationship. However, if he has proven himself to be faithful, then you can trust him.
You can believe in him.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)
Love believes all things.
I spoke at an event a year or so ago with the theme of "Loving Others, Valuing Everyone," and I said that the one attribute of love that was missing from Paul’s list was, “Love is trustworthy.” After meditating on the words we’re focusing on today, I think I may be wrong. Today’s attribute is close.
If I love someone—truly love him—I’ll believe the best of him. I’ll believe he’ll do his best. He’ll be loyal and kind. He’ll be faithful to me. In fact, I’ll believe he’s worthy of my trust.
In return, I need to be the same for him. This is the relationship I’m blessed to have with my husband. I know he’ll be faithful to me. I know he’ll love me through sickness and health, good times and bad, riches and poverty … because he has.
So I can believe he’ll be the same in the next year or five or ten.
Love isn’t blind. That’s certain. If someone has clear issues—anger, a tendency to belittle, a history of infidelity—you should avoid an intimate relationship. However, if he has proven himself to be faithful, then you can trust him.
You can believe in him.
Wednesday, May 02, 2012
Love Bears All Things (1 Cor. 13:4-7)
Love
is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not
arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked,
does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in
unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures
all things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)
Love bears all things.
Love—true love—puts up with "all things." Now I’m not saying we’re to be doormats or allow abuse, but we should be willing to bear our spouses bad mood or our kids’ testiness. We shouldn’t get angry when our friend forgets a coffee date. We should instead love them.
Love is a noun and a verb, you know. We have a feeling of love (noun), but we choose to actively love (verb). I can’t remember where I read it, but the author wrote how a man came to him and said he didn’t love his wife any more. “What should I do?” he asked. “Just love her.” Confused, the man said again, “But I don’t love her.” And again, the reply was, “Just love her.” This went on a couple of more times, and the man was told to just go and love his wife. And a marriage was restored.
We choose to love—the verb—even when those around us aren’t being very loveable. That’s why parents can say, “I don’t like what you’ve done, but I still love you.”
My mom is a prime example of that kind of love. For a very long time, I did so many things that my mom did not like or approve of. But she never stopped loving me. And today, there may be things my husband does that I don’t like, but I love him. I choose to love him every day.
Think of how Jesus loves us. I imagine He doesn’t like a lot of what we do, but He loves us. He loved us enough that “while [we] were still sinners, [He] died for us” (Rom. 5:8).
That’s what it means to bear all things. All things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)
Love bears all things.
Love—true love—puts up with "all things." Now I’m not saying we’re to be doormats or allow abuse, but we should be willing to bear our spouses bad mood or our kids’ testiness. We shouldn’t get angry when our friend forgets a coffee date. We should instead love them.
Love is a noun and a verb, you know. We have a feeling of love (noun), but we choose to actively love (verb). I can’t remember where I read it, but the author wrote how a man came to him and said he didn’t love his wife any more. “What should I do?” he asked. “Just love her.” Confused, the man said again, “But I don’t love her.” And again, the reply was, “Just love her.” This went on a couple of more times, and the man was told to just go and love his wife. And a marriage was restored.
We choose to love—the verb—even when those around us aren’t being very loveable. That’s why parents can say, “I don’t like what you’ve done, but I still love you.”
My mom is a prime example of that kind of love. For a very long time, I did so many things that my mom did not like or approve of. But she never stopped loving me. And today, there may be things my husband does that I don’t like, but I love him. I choose to love him every day.
Think of how Jesus loves us. I imagine He doesn’t like a lot of what we do, but He loves us. He loved us enough that “while [we] were still sinners, [He] died for us” (Rom. 5:8).
That’s what it means to bear all things. All things.
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
Love Rejoices With the Truth (1 Cor. 13:4-7)
Love
is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not
arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked,
does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)
Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.
Of all the attributes Paul describes, this one should be the easiest for those of us who follow Christ. We should never rejoice in unrighteousness. Sin should never be celebrated. As I write these words, I’m convicted—yet again. How often do I watch a television show or movie that revels in sin? More often than I care to admit.
Sin breaks the heart of my heavenly Father. It should do the same to mine. And yet, I laugh it off as though it doesn’t matter. I, dare I say, rejoice in unrighteousness.
Oh, as Paul would say, may that never be!
My rejoicing should come only when I see God work in lives. When I see people make a stand for faith. When someone begins a relationship with Jesus.
When truth wins out.
Only then I should plan a party and celebrate.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)
Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth.
Of all the attributes Paul describes, this one should be the easiest for those of us who follow Christ. We should never rejoice in unrighteousness. Sin should never be celebrated. As I write these words, I’m convicted—yet again. How often do I watch a television show or movie that revels in sin? More often than I care to admit.
Sin breaks the heart of my heavenly Father. It should do the same to mine. And yet, I laugh it off as though it doesn’t matter. I, dare I say, rejoice in unrighteousness.
Oh, as Paul would say, may that never be!
My rejoicing should come only when I see God work in lives. When I see people make a stand for faith. When someone begins a relationship with Jesus.
When truth wins out.
Only then I should plan a party and celebrate.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Love Does Not Take Into Account a Wrong Suffered (1 Cor. 13:4-7)
Love
is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not
arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked,
does not take into account a wrong
suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)
Love does not take into account a wrong suffered.
In other words, love doesn’t hold a grudge. Love doesn’t seek revenge. Rather, love forgives, even when the other person hurts us deeply.
I’m reminded of the story about the man who entered an Amish school and killed several of the children before taking his own life. The Amish community lived out this attribute of love as they went to the gunman’s house and told his wife they forgave him.
Forgiveness isn’t approval of the other person’s actions. It doesn’t condone wrongdoing. It doesn’t mean we have to let a person who wronged us into our daily lives. No. Forgiveness takes the burden of anger and bitterness off of our own shoulders. It allows us to love as Christ loved—loving the sinner without loving the sin.
Does this sound too unrealistic to be true? How can I forgive someone who’s abused me or taken what’s mine—or even killed my child?
It is possible with the strength of our Lord Jesus Christ. I know. I spent twenty years in rebellion against my God because I couldn’t—or wouldn’t—forgive those who had hurt me. My father for leaving us. Three adult men for abusing me.
My unforgiveness allowed hate and anger to fill my heart. It caused me to be miserable and pushed me into depression. Finally, when I just couldn’t take life any more, I found my way back to the arms of my heavenly Father, and with His strength, I was able to forgive. Those who hurt me never asked for my forgiveness, and my doing so didn’t say what they’d done was okay. But my being able to say “I forgive you” with a sincere heart lifted the burden that had so consumed my heart.
Holding a grudge or seeking revenge does nothing but destroy your own heart. There’s a saying that describes this well: “Anger [or unforgiveness] is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.”
Don’t “take into account a wrong suffered.” Rather, ask Jesus to give you the strength to forgive.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)
Love does not take into account a wrong suffered.
In other words, love doesn’t hold a grudge. Love doesn’t seek revenge. Rather, love forgives, even when the other person hurts us deeply.
I’m reminded of the story about the man who entered an Amish school and killed several of the children before taking his own life. The Amish community lived out this attribute of love as they went to the gunman’s house and told his wife they forgave him.
Forgiveness isn’t approval of the other person’s actions. It doesn’t condone wrongdoing. It doesn’t mean we have to let a person who wronged us into our daily lives. No. Forgiveness takes the burden of anger and bitterness off of our own shoulders. It allows us to love as Christ loved—loving the sinner without loving the sin.
Does this sound too unrealistic to be true? How can I forgive someone who’s abused me or taken what’s mine—or even killed my child?
It is possible with the strength of our Lord Jesus Christ. I know. I spent twenty years in rebellion against my God because I couldn’t—or wouldn’t—forgive those who had hurt me. My father for leaving us. Three adult men for abusing me.
My unforgiveness allowed hate and anger to fill my heart. It caused me to be miserable and pushed me into depression. Finally, when I just couldn’t take life any more, I found my way back to the arms of my heavenly Father, and with His strength, I was able to forgive. Those who hurt me never asked for my forgiveness, and my doing so didn’t say what they’d done was okay. But my being able to say “I forgive you” with a sincere heart lifted the burden that had so consumed my heart.
Holding a grudge or seeking revenge does nothing but destroy your own heart. There’s a saying that describes this well: “Anger [or unforgiveness] is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.”
Don’t “take into account a wrong suffered.” Rather, ask Jesus to give you the strength to forgive.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Love Is Not Provoked (1 Cor. 13:4-7)
Love
is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not
arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into
account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices
with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things,
endures all things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)
Love is not provoked.
Good old Webster defines provoke as “to incite to anger” or “to stir up purposely.”
If you’ve been in a relationship for any length of time—and by relationship, I mean family or friendship or romance—you probably know that other person very well. You know what brings him joy, and you know what drives him nuts.
And you know how to push his buttons.
My husband and I have been married for over 24 years (together for almost 27), and we know each other deeply. And yes, we know how to drive each other crazy—if we choose to do so. And sad to say, we sometimes make that choice. Fortunately, the longer we’re together, the less we provoke each other. And when we do, we ask for forgiveness much more quickly.
But I have to ask myself, why do we provoke those we love? If we we're prideful, we’re only hurting ourselves. But if we provoke another, we’re hurting them.
I don’t know for sure, but I have a theory. I think it may have to do with our own feelings of low self-esteem. If we’re not terribly confident in ourselves, we may provoke others to gain a false feeling of superiority.
Which brings us back to Paul’s words to the Philippians … If we love others, we’re going to do “ … nothing … through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (2:3).
I hadn’t thought about it before, but today’s attribute really builds on those that precede it: If we’re patient, if we’re kind, if we’re not boastful or arrogant, then we won’t need to put others down or provoke them to anger.
We won’t need to push their buttons because we’ll be to busy esteeming them. We'll be too busy loving them.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)
Love is not provoked.
Good old Webster defines provoke as “to incite to anger” or “to stir up purposely.”
If you’ve been in a relationship for any length of time—and by relationship, I mean family or friendship or romance—you probably know that other person very well. You know what brings him joy, and you know what drives him nuts.
And you know how to push his buttons.
My husband and I have been married for over 24 years (together for almost 27), and we know each other deeply. And yes, we know how to drive each other crazy—if we choose to do so. And sad to say, we sometimes make that choice. Fortunately, the longer we’re together, the less we provoke each other. And when we do, we ask for forgiveness much more quickly.
But I have to ask myself, why do we provoke those we love? If we we're prideful, we’re only hurting ourselves. But if we provoke another, we’re hurting them.
I don’t know for sure, but I have a theory. I think it may have to do with our own feelings of low self-esteem. If we’re not terribly confident in ourselves, we may provoke others to gain a false feeling of superiority.
Which brings us back to Paul’s words to the Philippians … If we love others, we’re going to do “ … nothing … through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” (2:3).
I hadn’t thought about it before, but today’s attribute really builds on those that precede it: If we’re patient, if we’re kind, if we’re not boastful or arrogant, then we won’t need to put others down or provoke them to anger.
We won’t need to push their buttons because we’ll be to busy esteeming them. We'll be too busy loving them.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Love Does Not Seek Its Own (1 Cor. 13:4-7)
Love
is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not
arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does
not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong
suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)
Love does not seek its own.
As we’ve looked at these attributes of love, I’ve tried to keep our hearts and minds on loving how Christ loves. And Jesus definitely doesn’t seek His own—never did, never will. In fact, He was so focused on the needs of others, He gave His very life for us.
Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13, NKJV).
While we may never be asked to literally die for our friends, are there ways we can serve the needs of others rather than seeking our own desires?
How do you spend your time? When you have free time, are you sitting in front of a computer, playing games or just surfing around? Do you watch hours of inane television? Is the latest issue of People magazine adorning your coffee table?
Believe me, I ask the same questions of myself.
We’ve been given the amazing gift of time, and how we use it can illustrate how we love. I’ve been very convicted—yet again—of how I spend my time. I really do want to steward my time in order to delight God. And I know He’s delighted when I serve others. When I shine the light of Jesus to a dark world.
When I sacrifice my time to mentor a young woman who's struggling, when I give up a little leisure time to volunteer at a God-serving organization, when I’m on my knees—literally or figuratively—interceding on the behalf of others … My Father is well-pleased.
No, I may not be dying a physical death, but when I seek to serve the needs of others, I sacrifice a bit of myself.
And by doing so, I love a bit more like Christ does.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NASB)
Love does not seek its own.
As we’ve looked at these attributes of love, I’ve tried to keep our hearts and minds on loving how Christ loves. And Jesus definitely doesn’t seek His own—never did, never will. In fact, He was so focused on the needs of others, He gave His very life for us.
Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13, NKJV).
While we may never be asked to literally die for our friends, are there ways we can serve the needs of others rather than seeking our own desires?
How do you spend your time? When you have free time, are you sitting in front of a computer, playing games or just surfing around? Do you watch hours of inane television? Is the latest issue of People magazine adorning your coffee table?
Believe me, I ask the same questions of myself.
We’ve been given the amazing gift of time, and how we use it can illustrate how we love. I’ve been very convicted—yet again—of how I spend my time. I really do want to steward my time in order to delight God. And I know He’s delighted when I serve others. When I shine the light of Jesus to a dark world.
When I sacrifice my time to mentor a young woman who's struggling, when I give up a little leisure time to volunteer at a God-serving organization, when I’m on my knees—literally or figuratively—interceding on the behalf of others … My Father is well-pleased.
No, I may not be dying a physical death, but when I seek to serve the needs of others, I sacrifice a bit of myself.
And by doing so, I love a bit more like Christ does.
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