The Power of Love – PART 1

The Power of Love (I Corinthians 13:4-7) – PART 1
 
I Corinthians 13:4-7, Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
 
It's easy to look around and see that churches today are not making the same kind of impact on society that the early churches did in the first century. We have tools and techniques they could not even have imagined. We have programs and plans that have been market tested and promoted. We have buildings with comfortable chairs and air conditioning and state-of-the-art sound and light systems. But first-century churches shook the world without any of those things. What they had was an overwhelming love. They loved God wholeheartedly. They loved each other sacrificially. They loved the lost with a passion that made them brave every danger and overcome every obstacle to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.
 
The following verses reveal the great acts of love. We see the character of Charity. What is given in these four verses is not a long, dry, methodical definition of love. On the contrary, the very acts of love are given; the very behavior of a person, the very way a person is to live among and with others. In living and moving among others in the world, a person is to love, and this is what loving others means.
 
The Biblical qualities of Charity are as follows.
1. Charity suffers long (I Corinthians 13:4). Charity is patient with people. It is not hasty, demanding immediate satisfaction of it’s preferences. It suffers long. Charity is not irritable. In patience the loving person possesses his soul. Luke 21:19, In your patience possess your soul. It takes a lot to make him angry. The word always refers to being patient with people, not with circumstances. Charity suffers a long, long time. No matter the evil and injury done by a person. No matter the neglect or ignoring by a loved one. Charity suffers a long, long time without resentment, anger, or seeking revenge. Charity controls itself in order to win the person and to help him to live, work, and serve as he should. Patient endurance under provocation; literally long-tempered. Charity is not impatient or one that seeks "pay back." Stephen is a great example.
 
2. Charity is kind. Waiting in patience, it does not become rude and rash. Romans 12:10, Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another. Charity is courteous, good, helpful, useful, giving, showing and showering favors. Charity does not resent evil; it does not revel in the hurt and neglect. Charity reaches out in kindness; in helpfulness, in giving, and in showering favors upon the person who neglects or hurts oneself. This speaks of goodness that goes forth in order to benefit others. It is respectful of others and always considerate of their needs.
 
3. Charity is Not Envious. Charity does not envy, it is not jealous. It never becomes motivated by the desire for personal honors; therefore, it does not envy the honor which comes to another. Galatians 5:26, Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Charity does not have feelings against others because of what they have, such as gifts, position, friends, recognition, possessions, popularity, abilities. Charity does not begrudge or attack or downplay the abilities and success of others. Charity shares and joys and rejoices in the experience and good of others. Charity is not envious or jealous of the talents or blessings of others. Charity rejoices in their prosperity.
 
4. Charity does not vaunt itself. Charity is not boastful. Charity does not brag nor seek recognition, honor, or applause from others. On the contrary, Charity seeks to give: to recognize, to honor, to applaud the other person. This means "does not make a parade; it does not brag or boast." It does not seek to be the center of attention. Charity allows others to enjoy their moments of success, but refrains from bragging itself.
 
5. Charity is not puffed up. Charity is not arrogant or proud. In fact, it stands in humility, realizing that all we possess comes from the good hand of God. Real charity does not seek its own praise. Charity is Humble. (I Corinthians 13:4). It does not exalt itself or permit pride to influence its attitudes or actions. Romans 12:3, For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Charity  is not prideful, arrogant, or conceited. Charity does not think nor act as though oneself is better or above others. Charity is modest and humble and recognizes and honors others.
 
6. Charity does not behave itself unseemly. (I Corinthians 13:5). Charity has good manners. Charity never behaves inappropriately, rudely, indecently, unmannerly, disgracefully. Charity does nothing to shame oneself. Charity always seeks to treat others with compassion and humility. Charity is orderly and controlled; and it behaves and treats all people with respect, honoring and respecting who they are. Charity keeps our emotions in check. It has no self-interests to promote. It looks for opportunities to promote another. So, it’s actions and attitudes are always proper. It allows us to be consistent in our witness and labor for the Lord among others. Real Charity allows us to be a light for the Lord.
 
7. Charity does not seek Her Own. Charity is Unselfish. Charity is not selfish; does not insist upon its own rights. Charity is not focused upon who one is nor upon what one has done. Charity seeks to serve, not have others serving oneself. Charity is acknowledging others, not insisting that others acknowledge oneself; it is giving to others, not insisting that others give to oneself. Charity is never selfish or self-centered. God's love is not one that seeks only its well being. It is genuinely concerned with the needs and desires of other. Charity allows us to place others' needs ahead of our own. A mother never questions her sacrifice for the sake of her children. A loving Christian never questions about sacrificial service for the cause of Christ. II Corinthians 12:15, And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you.”
 
 8. Charity is not easily provoked. Charity is not easily angered; not ready to take offence; not quick tempered; not "touchy". It is not easily aroused to anger; does not become exasperated. Charity controls the emotions and never becomes angry without a cause (Romans 12:18). Charity is willing to yield to the wants of others. It is submissive and kind. Charity does not keep a record of past wrongs but rather overlooks and forgives. It is not adamant that it be served and promoted.
 
9. Charity does not think Evil. Charity thinks evil of no one. Charity does not think evil. Such fervent charity covers the faults of others. I Peter 4:8, And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Charity does not consider the wrong suffered; is not resentful; does not hold the evil done to oneself. Charity takes no worthless inventory. Love responds in a godly way. It does not dwell on the past or injustices that have come its way; love that is not persuaded or motivated by the actions of others. It always looks for good in a situation, rather than being negative and seeking fault or blame. It is not quick to jump to conclusions or embrace rumors. Charity suffers the evil done to it and forgets it.
 
If this post has blessed you in any way
      Please share this website and its articles with others
         www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com
​