Love Like Jesus - Pt. 5
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It is said that in a churchyard in the old English village of Lemington, England, there stands a tombstone. And the only thing written on the tombstone are these words: “Here lies a miser who lived for himself and cared for nothing but gathering wealth; now where he is or how he fares, nobody knows and nobody cares.” In contrast, there’s a plain tombstone at St. Paul’s cathedral in London and it says this: “Sacred to the memory of General Charles George Gordon who at all times and everywhere gave his strength to the weak, his substance to the poor, his sympathy to the suffering, his heart to God.”
Two epitaphs, two distinct opposites. One of the absence, and the other the presence of love.
As was common with the writings of Paul, the epistles were written to address specific issues. The Corinthians were impatient, discontented, envious, proud, selfish, unmindful of the feelings and interests of others, and unforgiving. So Paul contrasts the issues of their lives with the characteristics of true love. Within this framework, we gather helpful insight into what it means to love like Jesus commanded.
As we have studied this passage, we have learned that love is an action. It is not a feeling or emotion, it is a choice to act. And this type of love is always in relation to somoeone else - never to me.
To this point, we have seen:
LOVE REGARDS - “Love benefits others.” - through patience and kindness
LOVE REDUCES - “Love is not all about me.” it doesn’t envy or boast, it’s not arrogant or rude, it is not selfish
LOVE RECONCILES - “Love forgives” because it isn’t irritable nor resentful
LOVE REJOICES - “Love is glad about the Gospel” - it doesn’t rejoice in wrong but rejoices in truth!
The key to this verse is the is the word rejoice. You see, those who express themselves at the expense of others do not show the characteristics of love. For love cannot be identified with the enjoyment that is achieved for ourselves by such means. Its enjoyment consists in acknowledging the truth.
rejoice - χαίρω (chairō) - to feel happiness or joy
Love doesn’t rejoice in iniquity
Love doesn’t rejoice in iniquity
ἀδικία (adikia) - unrighteousness
Because we are instructed to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength we choose to refrain from rejoicing in things that are contrary to Him. And because we are commanded to love people, we are not to gain happiness from the unrighteousness of others or the consequences their unrighteousness brings.
And although we know we should guard our hearts, we tend to allow what isn’t best to take root.
At times, some rejoice in their own sin, through boasting- the Corinthians did!
And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.
At times we rejoice in the unrighteousness of others.
who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
We approve of and even gain pleasure from these things that are contrary to what we say we believe and the God that we say we follow, but rest assured that the pleasure of sin is always shortlived...
By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
As the psalmist wrote
For the wicked boasts of his heart’s desire; He blesses the greedy and renounces the Lord.
May we who love God never choose to renounce the Lord, because of our own heart’s desire.
We live in a day that is controlled by feeling. We have generations of people who base decisions on their heart’s desire. We allow our feelings to trump God’s Word. When confronted with cultural issues, we renounce the Lord because it doesn’t feel right to stand for right.
But as my mom said often, “We must do what is right, not what is convenient.”
May we choose rather to bless God and renounce greed, even when it isn’t our desire to do so.
Love doesn’t rejoice in the unrighteousness of another. No matter how their iniquity benefits.
This approach of love would vanquish all gossip. At times we try to Christianize our busybody nature, with the “Truth”. We justify talking about someone else’s misfortune because it isn’t a lie. So we go around and say, “Have you heard...” simply because it is accurate. However, love doesn’t gain joy from unrighteousness.
This approach to love would change our homes. It would change our marriages. It would change our schools, our jobs, our community, our nation. If followers of Christ would choose instead to rejoice in
Love rejoices in truth
Love rejoices in truth
ἀλήθεια (alētheia) - what is true/certain/dependable
Truth is used in the New Testament to indicate honesty or sincerity and contrasts telling the truth with lying.
Therefore, putting away lying, “Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,” for we are members of one another.
But this particular Greek word is used often to describe the Gospel.
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,
So it is accurate to say that love rejoices (feels happiness or joy) when honesty and sincerity are present.
But the word tense and context here is deeper than that.
Literally, Love (Christlike, selfless love) doesn’t feel happy or joyful about unrighteousness, but rather it rejoices in the Gospel.
What is the Gospel? It’s the good news about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ and His power in the lives of those who trust Him! Think about it - GOD CAME TO US! He lived, He died, and He rose again - victorious over death, hell, and the grave.
This is the Gospel! Jesus is real. His sacrifice is sufficient. And forgiveness is found by grace alone, through faith alone, in Jesus Christ alone!
So, genuine love rejoices in the Gospel!
There is joy, when a Christ-follower hears of the power of the Gospel alive in someone else.
There is great joy when the truth of the Gospel penetrates a lost soul, and an individual comes to faith in Jesus.
But there is likewise great joy when everyday people are changed by the truth of the Gospel in everyday living.
Love rejoices when the truth of the Gospel convicts a straying heart toward confession to God.
Love rejoices when the truth of the Gospel restores strained relationships. When a husband and wife repent of their selfishness and are restored. When a son or daughter repent of their stubbornness and are brought back to where they need to be. When a parent repents of his/her pride and loves their kids with grace.
Love rejoices when the truth of the Gospel prompts an attitude change at work and your coworkers see for once the God you say you worship.
Love rejoices when the truth of the Gospel enlightens our busy self-focused schedules and points us to the precious souls of those in our community and around the world in need of God.
Love rejoices when bitterness is exchanged for forgiveness.
Love rejoices when lust is overpowered by purity.
Love rejoices when the power of the Gospel changes us and when it changes others.
Love is glad about the Gospel!
Love is so glad about the Gospel that it will learn it, live it, and give it.
Genuine, Christ-like love is so joyed by the Gospel, that it wants everyone else to know the Joy of Jesus too!
Love doesn’t want the consequences and the affects of unrighteousness for anyone, but it does want the benefits of the truth of the Gospel for everyone!
For the spouse, the child, the parent, the sibling, the coworker, the boss, the student, the teacher, the mailman, the cashier, the neighbor, the stranger - Love wants the benefits of the truth of the Gospel of Jesus for everyone!
Love rejoices when others walk in truth.
For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth.
Motivated by love, followers of Jesus don’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but in the power of the truth of the Gospel. By this Gospel we gain access to God, through it we have power to live for His glory, and with it we change the world!