The Excellent Way of Love – Part 5
“Love believes all things” (1 Cor. 13-7), as in (NKJV, NASV); is a way of saying that love “always trusts” as the (NIV) translates it. What are the “all things” that love believes. All things that are contained in God’s word. That is everything that pertains to our faith that comes by the hearing of the word (Romans 10:17). The NEB bible translated this part of verse 7 this way, “there is no limit to its faith”, no limit to loves faith.
Godly love will be the kind of love that maintains faith in truth, in other saints even when it is very hard to do. This kind of love looks for the good rather than the evil; it focuses on the bright spots, not the dark shadows. Love is ever ready to make concession for others when they are weak or fall short. This kind of love throws a mantle of kindness over the faults and shortcomings of others, rather than pointing out every weakness. This kind of love seeks to positively interpret the actions of other people. This kind of love refuses to yield itself to unfounded suspicions, the “slings and arrows” normally cast by this world. This kind of love empowers God’s children to give others the benefit of the doubt until presented with conclusive evidence to the contrary. Believes the best about its fellow man.
As the Apostle Paul says, “Therefore I rejoice that I have confidence in you in everything” (2 Cor. 7:16). Give your brethren the benefit of the doubt. Or as Paul wrote to the brethren at Thessalonica, “And we have confidence in the Lord concerning you, both that you do and will do the things we command you” (2 Thess. 3:4). We should trust brethren in that they generally have good hearts, and are trying their best to do God’s will in their lives. We all fall short sometimes, but that is no reason to stop loving each other. Paul told the brethren at the church in Philippi, “Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say” (Phil. 1:21). In other words, this kind of love trusts God, God’s people; that every intention they have is good, even when it’s not always clear. When we love the truth, the word, the brethren this way, we’ll do everything we can to show our love.
But now let’s be clear about what we are not saying about love believing all things. We must first determine that Paul is not saying that love causes one literally to believe anything and everything regardless of how false it may be. Jesus said, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.” (Matthew 7:15). That is to say we cannot believe everything we’re told. When it comes to teaching, we must be like the Bereans who, “received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11; See 1 Thess. 5:21; 1 Jn. 4:1; Rom. 12:9). They weren’t being suspicious of Paul, they just made sure what he taught was true. Like being longsuffering and patient, this characteristic of love regards the conduct of others, then looks for the best possible light against the backdrop of the word of truth. Not like the way of the world, where love is always suspicious of others. Many have indeed trusted an individual, only to find that they were being dishonest, or they were seeking to do harm. And even though that does happen on occasion, it’s not a reason for the child of God to emulate the world’s view of people. Yes, you may sometimes be called by others naive or gullible, but if you go down the path of not trusting anyone, anything, you may one day wake up and realize you’re miserable. Much better to be pure minded and appear gullible than to think the very worst about other people, and this is especially true concerning our brethren in Christ. This is the kind of love that will refuse to believe malicious gossip about another and will not believe such unless irrefutable evidence accompanies the allegation. Truly, isn’t this how we all would desire to be treated. It is simply applying the teaching of Jesus, “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” (Matt. 7:12). We usually paraphrase the verse, “Do unto others as you would have them to do unto you.” O’ how great it would be if we could have this kind of love that believes all things. Wouldn’t it be wonderful?
Paul continues with the words, “hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Cor. 13:7). Truly it is this kind of love that will give hope where there is not hope. As the psalmist, “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, And in His word I do hope” (Psalm 130:5). Put all your trust and hope in the word of God. This is the hope that all will turn out well, gives the endurance needed to live for Christ, to deal with our brethren even when they do not behave as they should. Paul concluded saying, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor. 13:13).
We all must look into the mirror daily and ask how well do I measure up to that which would make our relationship with our brethren in Christ what it must be to please Him who gave His life’s blood to purchase us back from Satan? How am I in the love department?
Let me close this series with a poem from an unknown source: Love Is. . . Sometimes with tender emotions, to its object’s faults we’re blind. But then again to these same ones, we must hold them to the line! “Live and let live,” is not true love, for it never seeks correction. It never demands repentance, for one’s soul gives no protection. Whom I love I rebuke and chasten, the Lord Himself has said; You are illegitimate children, if no rebuke you’ve had! In the Scriptures we are told of all that love demands, these must be met if Christians are to be safe in God’s hands! Love is patient, love is kind, longsuffering is its expression. Is not envious of other’s good fortune, does not pout at their adulation. Love is not conceited, nor impressed with its own achievement, does not behave unseemly, nor seek only its own credence. Love is not easily angered, thinks no evil of one’s brothers. Love contrariwise will be found, involved in serving others. Love does not rejoice in evil, rather truth is her delight. Love bears with life’s great troubles, doesn’t whimper, fuss or fight. Love looks for good in others, love hopes these things to find. It’s love that keeps one’s hope alive, it fulfills the law divine! Love will never fail it is said, in holy Scripture it’s quoted. Love is a mighty force called God, to love are you devoted? You could give your body to be burned, feed the hungry and clothe the naked, but if your motive is not love, to you twill not be reckoned! It’s not only a suggestion, that we love God and man, it is something we must do, if on His right we stand. We love Him for His first loved us, our love’s a reciprocation, He gave His Son to show His love, ours is shown by our dedication.
As always, in Love
Dave Scarpino
“…what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes which I command you today for your good?” (Deut. 10:12-13)
Welcome One and All!
Our faithful Creator is worthy to be praised in this assembly. All praise to Him who reigns above in majesty supreme! He gave His Son to die, for all mankind, that He might redeem all. Our blessed Redeemer suffered and died for our sins and is now risen and sitting at the right hand of God as Head of the church. Let us offer the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, knowing that He is the author of eternal salvation to all those who obey Him. (Hebrews 5:8-9) “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3)