In the first instance, we are told that Christian love (I deliberately contrast the love described in Scriptures with the world's definition) 'suffers long'. Some translations have the word 'patient'. It is rightly understood in the sense of bearing up with wrong-doings, as God does when dealing with sinners. See 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. It is love that withholds His justice from being meted out immediately upon sinners. His delay in punishing evildoers is not dependent on any sinner's 'good works' but rests entirely on His longsuffering. It is this aspect of God's love that was shown in Jesus Christ' incarnation, where the Son of God condescended to dwell among sinners. It is much like the richest and noblest man who willingly sets aside his status and rights, instead living with the wicked, poor and detestable people. It is sad to see that modern love is not longsuffering - instead, it is always conditional and quick to be broken. For Christians believers, the truth in Proverbs 10:12 - ...love covers all sins is an experiential truth. May we learn to bear up with one another, in a love that reflects God's longsuffering to sinners like us.
15 February 2012
Love is... longsuffering
There are many who like to quote 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 - Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; (5) does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; (6) does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; (7) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (8) Love never fails. It is for all intent and purposes, a good definition of love although not an exhaustive one. In light of the world's preoccupation with Valentine's day, which is pagan in origins (contrary to what some may say - http://goo.gl/AGsDW), true Christian believers ought to keep in mind the core principle of separation and consecration to the Lord as outlined by Paul in Romans 12:2 - And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. The world's love is sadly generic, sexual, provocative and self-centred by nature.
In the first instance, we are told that Christian love (I deliberately contrast the love described in Scriptures with the world's definition) 'suffers long'. Some translations have the word 'patient'. It is rightly understood in the sense of bearing up with wrong-doings, as God does when dealing with sinners. See 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. It is love that withholds His justice from being meted out immediately upon sinners. His delay in punishing evildoers is not dependent on any sinner's 'good works' but rests entirely on His longsuffering. It is this aspect of God's love that was shown in Jesus Christ' incarnation, where the Son of God condescended to dwell among sinners. It is much like the richest and noblest man who willingly sets aside his status and rights, instead living with the wicked, poor and detestable people. It is sad to see that modern love is not longsuffering - instead, it is always conditional and quick to be broken. For Christians believers, the truth in Proverbs 10:12 - ...love covers all sins is an experiential truth. May we learn to bear up with one another, in a love that reflects God's longsuffering to sinners like us.
In the first instance, we are told that Christian love (I deliberately contrast the love described in Scriptures with the world's definition) 'suffers long'. Some translations have the word 'patient'. It is rightly understood in the sense of bearing up with wrong-doings, as God does when dealing with sinners. See 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. It is love that withholds His justice from being meted out immediately upon sinners. His delay in punishing evildoers is not dependent on any sinner's 'good works' but rests entirely on His longsuffering. It is this aspect of God's love that was shown in Jesus Christ' incarnation, where the Son of God condescended to dwell among sinners. It is much like the richest and noblest man who willingly sets aside his status and rights, instead living with the wicked, poor and detestable people. It is sad to see that modern love is not longsuffering - instead, it is always conditional and quick to be broken. For Christians believers, the truth in Proverbs 10:12 - ...love covers all sins is an experiential truth. May we learn to bear up with one another, in a love that reflects God's longsuffering to sinners like us.
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