DRAWING NEAR
August 27
The Triumph of Love
"[Love] endures all things" (1 Cor. 13:7).
Love triumphs over opposition.
Endurance is the final characteristic of love that Paul mentions in
this passage. The Greek word translated "endures" in verse 7 is a
military term that speaks of being positioned in the middle of a
violent battle. It refers not to withstanding minor annoyances, but
incredible opposition. Love does that without ceasing to love.
Stephen is a good example of enduring love. He preached God's message
without compromise, but his enemies stoned him to death. His last act
was to fall on his knees, crying out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not
hold this sin against them!" (Acts 7:59). A lesser man might have
hated his tormentors, but not Stephen. He forgave them and beseeched
God to do likewise, following the example of his Lord, who on the
cross prayed, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they
are doing" (Luke 23:34). That's the endurance of godly love.
Love bears all hurts, sins, and disappointments. It never broadcasts
them but makes every attempt to reconcile and restore sinners. Love
believes the best about others and is never cynical or suspicious.
Even when it's under severe attack, it forgives and clings to the
hope of God's power and promises. That kind of love should
characterize every believer.
Your love may not be perfect, but it should be obvious. If you're
struggling with implementing love in some area of your life, remember
these five keys:
Acknowledge that love is a command (Rom. 13:8-10). Agree that
you have the spiritual resources to love others as God loves you
(Rom. 5:5). Understand that loving others is normal Christian
behavior (1 John 4:7-10). Realize that love is the Spirit's work
(Gal. 5:22). Be fervent in your love for others (1 Pet. 1:22;
4:8).
Godly love should be your highest purpose and greatest joy (Matt.
22:36-40). As you love others, you glorify Christ and make Him known
to the world.
Suggestions for Prayer:
Review the fifteen characteristics of love from 1 Corinthians 13:4-7,
asking God to increase each of them in your life.
For Further Study:
Reread each reference in the five keys for implementing love in your
life, and commit at least one to memory.
Drawing Near, Copyright 1993 John F. MacArthur, Jr.
All rights reserved. Used by permission.
http://www.gty.org
~~~
Acknowledge that love is a command.
Romans 13:8-10
8 Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves
another has fulfilled the law.
9 For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall
not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false
witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other
commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall
love your neighbor as yourself."
10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the
fulfillment of the law.
Agree that you have the spiritual resources to love others as God
loves you.
Romans 5:5
5 Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been
poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Understand that loving others is normal Christian behavior.
1 John 4:7-10
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone
who loves is born of God and knows God.
8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has
sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through
Him.
10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and
sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Realize that love is the Spirit's work.
Galatians 5:22
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love.
Be fervent in your love for others.
1 Peter 1:22
22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through
the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another
fervently with a pure heart
1 Peter 4:8
8 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for "love
will cover a multitude of sins."
Matthew 22:36-40
36 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?"
37 Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all
your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
38 "This is the first and great commandment.
39 "And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.'
40 "On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
4 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.
~~~
These devotions are posted with permission from John MacArthur's
first (1993) devotional work, _Drawing Near_, and they are also sent
out daily for free to several folks via e-mail.
In addition, John's second (1997) devotional, _Strength for Today_,
is also available free via e-mail only. _Strength for Today_ follows
the same format as what you have seen here from _Drawing Near_, but
with different monthly themes.
If you would like to receive daily devotions via e-mail from either
of these series, just let me know (via e-mail), and I will gladly add
you to the list(s) of your choice.
You can hear John MacArthur daily via the Internet by visiting:
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and
http://www.gty.org.uk/
You may email John MacArthur in care of Grace to You at:
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In Christ,
Peter
Peter G. Chase :: Columbus, Ohio, USA
pchase1@wideopenwest.com
STOP! Who do you think Jesus Is?
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To forgive is to set a prisoner free, and to discover that the prisoner was you. -Alistair Begg
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