Wednesday, February 27, 2019
1 Corinthians 13:7 . . . Love . . . bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things . . .
DIVINE LOVE IS POSITIVE
Divine love is not so much an emotion or feeling as an action. From this verse we learn that those in whose heart such love has been created by the Holy Spirit are optimistic -- always protecting, always trusting, always hoping, always persevering.
Divine love "bears all things." It puts the best construction on the life and actions of our neighbor, and if at all possible protects his good name and reputation. Simply put, "love will cover a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:8). For example, Jonathan defended David against false accusations from King Saul. Jesus defended His disciples against false accusations of the Pharisees.
When Paul adds "love . . . believes all things," it's saying about the same thing. One with divine love at heart is ready to believe the best about everyone. It's not being gullible, but it's having faith in people in a good sense.
Divine love "hopes all things, endures all things." The word "hope" is often associated with doubt or uncertainty. Not so the Christian's hope. The Bible says, "Blessed is the man . . . whose hope is the LORD" (Jeremiah 17:7). Yes, before we knew Christ we were "without hope and without God in the world." But now knowing Christ by faith, believers have an unshakeable hope.
It's been said preachers should remember there is a broken heart in every pew on a given Sunday -- people experiencing some form of personal crisis. Such need to hear the good news that our Savior God is in control of everything, as the psalmist asks: "Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God" (42:11).
If thou but trust in God to guide thee
And hope in Him through all your ways,
He’ll give thee strength, whate'er betide thee,
And bear thee through the evil days.
Who trusts in God's unchanging love
Builds on the rock that naught can move.
Be patient and await His leisure
In cheerful hope, with heart content
To take whate'er thy Father's pleasure
And His discerning love hath sent.
Nor doubt our inmost wants are known
To Him who chose us for His own.
(Lutheran Service Book, 750:1, 3)
