Yahweh's Kind of Love (12/5/11)

Shalom,

Please begin by reading 1 Cor 13:4-8.

The examples given in this passage put Yahweh's love on display. And how Yahweh loves is the standard for any measurements we make when considering how we are to love. These are the holy standards set forth by the Great God Almighty, the Creator, our loving heavenly Father. If we're to love as he loves us, then we need to know how to do it. What's written in these verses is the best list ever compiled concerning love. This list is the best one to do a self-evaluation with, the one to use when checking out how we're doing. Don't use it as a measure against other people and their shortcomings. Use it to ensure you're doing well.

"Love is patient." The word patient has to do with the ability to exhibit internal and external control in difficult circumstances. If we're living out Yahweh's kind of love, we can endure the many slights and snubs and hurtful things we receive from other people. If we're living out Yahweh's kind of love, we can be wronged and not have to retaliate. This patience includes self-restraint, being able to put up with other people's inadequacies and idiosyncrasies. This kind of love can suffer the pain of betrayal without ceasing to love and care for others.

"Love is kind." This word has the coloring of being useful and morally excellent. Our heavenly Father's love always seeks to do what's good and right. The ultimate purpose of this kind of love is to seek to bless others and be concerned with their welfare. Kindness can always offer encouragement. This kind of love works to bring out the best in everyone. A root of this word translates directly as easy benevolence. We're kind because our Father is. It's just the right thing to do. And because of what Yahweh's love has done for us, in spite of our rebellious hearts, we can be kind to others without demanding a return on our efforts.

"Love does not envy." This word for envy is tinged with moral corruption. Envy isn't thinking about doing good for others, but has ill will and evil in mind. Yahweh's love never does that. It rejoices in the success of others. It's content with whatever our Lord provides, without trying to determine in our own minds what's fair. Being envious means we're not grateful for how our Father has met our needs, that somehow we're lacking and must grasp at more stuff. To walk out this standard of Yahweh's love we can't be envious of those who appear to be getting a better break than we are.

"Love does not boast." Yahweh's love subdues our pridefulness and keeps us from bragging. Our Father's kind of love prefers to esteem and bless others. It works in the background, helping others without expecting recognition. This love doesn't try to place itself in the spotlight, but humbly accepts its own blessings and success. This kind of love knows and avoids haughtiness. 1 Cor 8:2 says, "The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know." Can we do our Spirit-directed tasks without the need for special recognition? If we can say yes, we're on the right track.

"Love is not proud." Proud here means arrogant and puffed up. Yahweh's love isn't conceited and never accepts flattery. This kind of love won't dismiss the needs or feelings of other because it's too focused on itself. It will seek to have true compassion, and feel the hurts of those in true need. Yahweh doesn't love us for what he gets in return, and neither should we. Yahweh doesn't withhold from us unless we pour out excessive praise first, and neither should we. His kind of pure love is mainly concerned with what's best for others, and we need to learn how to live this way.

"Love is not rude." Rude means discourteous. Probably because our society has become increasingly rude and discourteous we should ensure that we avoid this and become more loving. Yahweh's love never treats other people dishonorably or indecently. It behaves with reverence and respect toward others. It holds true love as a precious thing, and never seeks to ask others to do something contrary to our Father's loving goodness. If we live in accordance with our Lord's principles of right living, we won't be rude and crude like so much of what see in today's comedy.

"Love is not self-seeking." The breakdown of the compound Greek word used here is self- possessive seeking. This is the epitome of the greed and entitlement attitudes in our current society. In spite of the general persuasion of most people, everything isn't mine or due to me. This kind of thinking causes us to look for how anything we do is to our advantage, even when we're "helping" others. Yahweh's love is the enemy of selfishness. It doesn't seek to possess for itself. It prefers to bless others, looking out for their interests and welfare. It's not ambitious for personal gain or influence, but works hard to lift up the Body of Christ. When thinking about this attribute remember J-O-Y: Jesus first, then Others, then Yourself.

"Love is not easily angered.

"Love keeps no record of wrongs." Yahweh's kind of love doesn't keep score, trying to determine who's ahead in the graciousness game. His love never thinks of revenge for wrongs done to us by others. It doesn't "get even" by heaping guilt on others with cruel words. It isn't jealous or suspicious. This kind of love doesn't suspect evil agendas, and it doesn't hold grudges when it encounters hurtful actions or words. Loving like Yahweh help us rightly forgive others, and then to also be wise in our future dealings with them.

"Love does not delight in evil." Yahweh takes no pleasure in hurting people, in spite of what some humans contend. His kind of love wishes no ill to anyone, and it won't condone evil either. If we love like our Father we don't enjoy the suffering or judgment of even the worst sinner. The obvious sins it encounters will stir up righteous action. It works to overcome evil instead of turning its head and ignoring it. This kind of love will deal directly with evil, speaking directly against the wrong done, trying to be just in its judgments and right in its actions. This means we can't let evil win by our lack of action.

"Love rejoices in truth." Yahweh's love desires to see the Gospel planted and rejoices when a person responds positively to its call for salvation. It takes no joy in sin, but rejoices and is delighted to see right living. This kind of love wants to see truth and justice rise to the top and fully influence all people. It honors those who live a biblically centered life, attempting to spread Yahweh's Kingdom wherever they go. It also readily recognizes truth, not being overcome by personal opinion or current societal acceptance of ungodly behavior. With this standard in place we believe in absolute truth which ultimately comes from our Creator God, who is Truth.

"Love always protects." This kind of protection takes endurance. It bears up under stress and strain. Yahweh's love is a shield against human flaws. It works to protect others from the anger and revenge so rampant in this world. This kind of love provides a shelter that withstands accidents and bad circumstances. It's a sheltering love providing saint and sinner with amazing grace, and especially offering the sinner another opportunity to repent.

"Love always trusts." Yahweh's love trusts first and acts in accordance with that trust. It doesn't hold back grace and mercy in doubt of how someone will or won't respond. It doesn't pre-judge situations or people. While it's not naive to the ways of the world, it's willing to give trust because it's fueled by faith in our loving heavenly Father, not in the person we're dealing with. This love loves the other person enough to give them a chance to receive a heavenly blessing by our hand. When we do this right we don't get all hung up in suspicions or conspiracies because we know Yahweh is sovereign over all things.

"Love always hopes." Yahweh's love always hopes for the best. It always trusts that the Father's goodness can be brought to bear in every circumstance and situation. It's willing to champion the cause of the underdog, to not give up when others might. This kind of love knows that failures aren't final because our heavenly Father gives many second chances. It doesn't bend to popular opinion and dash the hopes and dreams of others. It understands that our Father loves to give hope to the hopeless, and won't give up when the worldly view says that it's an impossible situation.

"Love always perseveres." Yahweh's love stands its ground, and stands strong. Though we may be mistreated, unappreciated, unloved, or not cared for - this love remains steadfast and true, seeking to do what's best for everyone. Through insult or abandonment it doesn't give up. Through trials and tribulations it keeps seeking the goal of Kingdom building. This kind of love may be shaken, but never broken. This kind of love endures because it's based on the Rock of Jesus, where we can always stand firm and secure. If we love as our Father does, it won't fade away with time or diminish with separation.

Yahweh's love is permanent. It's filled with grace. It always overcomes the world. While worldly things, even the best we humans have to offer, fade away and ultimately disappoint - Yahweh's love will endure to the end and retain its full glory. All our worldly possessions will someday be taken from us, but the love of our heavenly Father will remain with us throughout eternity. It's a precious gift we can receive and then partake of by giving it away. Blessed be Yahweh our Father who has lavished this great love on us. May we honor and glorify his name by sharing it with others.

Blessings & Peace, Mike