God is [agápē] Love

• God is Love - “Love” is one of the magnificent attributes of God. The biblical phrase “God is love”, as found in 1 John 4:8, contains the familiar Greek word “agápē” for the kind of love that the Three Persons of the Godhead have for Each Other and for true believers. God’s agape love is an integral part of His salvation program in that He loves His people (the elect), who are scattered all over the world; and He demonstrates His love by saving them from eternal Hell, as Rom 5 explains. In principle, God’s love for His elect began before the foundation of the world. Those who are the recipients of God’s gift of salvation were in total rebellion against God before He saved them. The Bible says that true believers were “dead in trespasses and sins” and were “children of wrath” (Eph 2:1-3). Yet Rom 5:8 makes this wonderful statement, “But God commendeth [exhibits] his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us”. God’s love for His people is a love that is demonstrated by the sacrificial work and faith of the Lord Jesus. Thus, the Lord Jesus Christ is the personification of God’s love. In essence, God is defining love by His very character. And what is the character of the Lord Jesus Christ? We get a glimpse in 1 Cor 13:4, “Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up…”. Also because love is a “fruit” of the Holy Spirit according to Gal 5, it manifests itself in the life of a “born-again Christian” in whom God's Spirit dwells. In our time together let us examine the characteristics of Love and how God demonstrated these characteristics and how He expects [ and works it out] in the life of a child of God.

1 John 4:7-12 “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”

1 John 4:11-13 “Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. 12No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. 13Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.”

Gal 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

1 Cor 13:4-8 “Charity [Love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8Charity never faileth...”

• Love Suffereth Long -  The Greek word for “suffereth long” is also translated as “patience” and is closely related to God’s forgiveness, as in the parable of the wicked servant in Mat 18:29: “And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all”. The spiritual message here is that God is is longsuffering, or patient in saving His elect, as we see in 2 Pet 3:9. The following verses describe how believers are to live patiently and contentedly in this world and to show patience with others. Speaking of Abraham and the promise of eternal inheritance, God says in Heb 6:15: “And so, after he [Abraham] had patiently endured, he obtained the promise”. With respect to others, God gives these instructions in 1 The 5:14 “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.”

1 Cor 13:4-8 “Charity [Love] suffereth long ...”

2 Pet 3:9 “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

Matt 18:23-35 “Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. 24And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. 25But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 27Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. 28But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. 29And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. 30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. 31So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done. 32Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee? 34And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. 35So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.”

2 Tim 2:24-26 “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”

• Love is Kind -  Now, let’s focus on the second characteristic of Love – kindness. The Greek word for “kind” is translated both as “kind” and “goodness”. We see that God is “kind” to unthankful and evil people in Luke 6:35. We also learn in Rom 2:4 that God’s “goodness” leads His elect to repentance. In Eph 4 believers are instructed to mirror the kindness that God has shown to them by being kind to one another.

1 Cor 13:4-8 “Charity [Love] suffereth long, and is kind; ...”

Rom 2:4 “Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?”

Luke 6:35 “But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he [God] is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.”

Eph 4:32 “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

• Love Envieth Not -  The third quality of Love is the absence of envy. The Greek word for “envy” is related to “zeal”, which is used to describe both favorable and unfavorable traits. We see the word used in a good sense in 1 Cor 12:31.  God is a Jealous God towards his children (Exo 34:14) with Godly Jeaslousy (2 cor 11:2) that they should not serve sin. The unfavorable kind of envy is what 1 Cor 13:4 admonishes believers not to practice in their lives and is what we read about in Acts 7:9. In Jam 4 the word is used to describe sinful “desire” for worldly things, which is a characteristic of unsaved people. May the Holy Spirit empower us to exhibit patience, kindness, and the good kind of zeal in our lives for God’s honor and glory.

1 Cor 13:4-8 “Charity [Love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; ...”

Exo 34:14 “For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:”

1 Cor 12:31 “But covetearnestly [zealously] the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.”

2 Cor 11:2 “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”

Acts 7:9 “And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him.”

Jam 4:2 “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire [envy] to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. 3Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. 5Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?”

• Love Vaunteth Not Itself -  The Greek word for “vaunteth” has the idea of boasting about oneself, which is the outward expression of pride. Pride and boasting are some of the characteristics of man that God hates most because they indicate man’s defiance and rebellion against God, as we read in Judges 7:2. This proud nature of unsaved man is described in many verses. Christ demonstrated his humbleness in that being God, humbled himself to the death of cross (Php 2:8). There is only one kind of boasting in a believer that meets with God’s approval – it’s the boasting by believers in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, about the mercy of God for His glory, as we read in Gal 6:14.

1 Cor 13:4-8 “Charity [Love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, ...”

Pro 6:16-19 “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

Pro 16:18-19 “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall. Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.”

Jam 4:6 “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”

Jud 7:2 “And the LORD said unto Gideon, The people that are with thee are too many for me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against me, saying, Mine own hand hath saved me.”

Php 2:5-8 “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:  8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

Gal 6:14 “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”

Jer 9:23-24 “Thus saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD.”

• Love is Not Puffed Up -  The Greek words for “not puffed up” have the same idea of humility as “vaunteth not”. This has to do with the underlying motive of one’s love. A Christian’s love should not be “puffed up” for self-serving recognition, but its nature should be that of selflessly and humbly serving God and ministering to others. 1 Cor 8:1b explains, “... Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth [builds up]”. This unselfish aspect of love was demonstrated by the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt 21:5), even being KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS (Rev 19:16). He edifies and builds up His Church by nourishing it with Living Bread and Living Waters (Psa 23:2). The Godly love of a true believer under the power of the Holy Spirit should serve to build up others in the faith, as 1 Cor 4:6-7 teaches.

1 Cor 13:4-8 “Charity [Love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up ...”

Rev 19:16 “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”

Matt 21:5 “Tell ye the daughter of Sion, Behold, thy King cometh unto thee, meek, and sitting upon an ass, and a colt the foal of an ass.”

Num 12:3 “(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)”

1 Cor 4:6-7 “And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?”

• Love Doth Not Behave Unseemly -  The Greek words for “behave unseemly” mean “to act unbecomingly (or dishonorably) against the Word of God”. In other words, a Christian shows his love and respect for God by behaving decently and honorably according to the commandments and principles set forth in the Word of God. Lord Jesus demonstrated this characetristic of love by keeping His Fathers commandments perfectly (John 15:10). For example, the same words are used in 1 Cor 7:35-36 to describe how an unmarried man should behave toward the woman he is courting. May the Holy Spirit empower us to live humbly and honorably for the glory of God.

1 Cor 13:4-8 “Charity [Love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly ...”

John 15:10 “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.”

Pro 6:16-19 “These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: 17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, 19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.”

1 Cor 7:35-36 “And this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you, but for that which is comely [honorable], and that ye may attend upon the Lord without distraction. But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely [dishonorably] toward his virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry.”

• Love Seeketh Not Her Own -  The Greek word for “seeketh” here carries the idea of “desiring” or “demanding”. This unselfish aspect of love was demonstrated by the Lord Jesus Christ in not seeking his own will but the will of His Father (John 5:30) and suffered God's wrath for us (Luke 22:42). A Christian shows his love for his fellowman by not demanding his own self-serving way and by being sensitive to the needs of others. A true believer will find that he is happiest when he desires or seeks the things of God and not of the world, as we read in Matt 6:31-33.

1 Cor 13:4-8 “Charity [Love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own ...”

John 5:30 “I [Jesus Christ] can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.”

Heb 10:6-10  “In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. 7Then said I [Lord Jesus] , Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God. 8Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. 10By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

Luke 22:42 “Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”

Matt 6:31-33 “Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

1 Cor 10:33  “Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.”

Php 2:4 “Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.”

• Love is Not Easily Provoked -  The Greek word for “provoked” carries the idea of “becoming stirred up”. One should not be easily “riled up”, or provoked to anger, which is a very ungodly trait for a believer. However, a Christian should be “stirred up” to defend the Gospel, as in Apostle Paul’s case in Acts 17:16-17. We see this demonstrated when Lord Jesus prayed for them that were mocking him during the Crucifixion on Calvary (Luke 23:36-39) but was provoked with unseemly behavior of the money changers at the temple (John 2:17). 

1 Cor 13:4-8 “Charity [Love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked ...”

Luke 23:36-39 “And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar, 37And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself. 38And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS. 39And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.”

John 2:15-17  “And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables; 16And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise. 17And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.”

Acts 17:16-17 “Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.”

• Love Thinketh No Evil -  Pro 23:7a sets forth an important principle: “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he...”.  The thoughts of one’s heart reveal a person’s true nature, as the Lord Jesus proclaimed in Mark 7:21. Yes, the heart of unsaved, natural man is “desperately wicked” as stated in Jer 17:9. However, the true believer who is saved by God’s Grace, by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, can overrule his evil nature and focus his thoughts on the things of God, as we read in Php 4:8-9. A Christian can have victory over evil and wickedness because, amazingly, he is given the “mind of Christ”, as declared in 1 Cor 2:16.  Lord Jesus overcame evil with good by praying for those who persecuted him (Matt 5:44). May God cause us to demonstrate agape love in our lives by being unselfish, controlling our anger, and focusing our thoughts on the things of God.

1 Cor 13:4-8 “Charity [Love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil ...”

Mark 7:21 “For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders.”

Jer 17:9 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Php 4:8-9 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.”

Matt 5:44 “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”

Luke 23:34 “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

1 Cor 2:16 “For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we [believers] have the mind of Christ.”

Rom 12:21 “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

3 John 1:11 “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”

• Love Rejoiceth Not in Iniquity -  What does God mean by stating that love does not rejoice in iniquity (sin)? Because God does not rejoice in man’s sin, neither does God’s love rejoice in sin of any kind; and because a Christian must reflect God’s love by his conduct on this sin-cursed earth, he should not rejoice in sin either, as is clearly stated in 2 Tim 2:19. Lord Jesus demonstrated this characteristic of Love when He overcame temptation (Luke 4:1-13) and stood as high priest for us knowing our infirmities (Heb 4:15). He is the Lamb of God without blemish and without spot (1 pet 1:19). Because a believer must live in an unsaved body, he is engaged in a constant internal struggle between his sinful flesh and his new, resurrected soul, as the Apostle Paul explains in Rom 7:22-25. Paul concludes that statement with the wonderful truth in Rom 8:1. Sadly, God has this to say about the fate of those who continue to “rejoice in iniquity” in 2 The 2:12: “That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”

1 Cor 13:4-8 “Charity [Love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity ...”

2 Chr 19:7 “Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.”

Luke 4:2 “Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.”

Heb 4:15 “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

2 Tim 2:19 “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”

Rom 7:22-25 “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.”

Rom 8:1 “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

• Love Rejoiceth in the Truth -  This statement is the converse of the previous one. God rejoices in the Truth of His Word, the Bible. Lord Jesus Himself is the truth (John 14:6) and the Word in flesh (John 1:14) and was magnified above all (Psa 138:2).  He has even placed Himself under the authority of His Word, as we read in Psa 138:2. Therefore, a Christian must also rejoice in the Word of God and show his love for the Truth by sharing it with others. As opposed to the things of this sin-cursed world, there is no iniquity in the things of God, as 2 Chr 19:7 declares. Thus, for those who have become saved through the power of the True Gospel, there is much joy in their lives as they serve their Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, according to Php 2:17-18.

1 Cor 13:4-8 “Charity [Love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth ...”

2 Chr 19:7 “Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.”

John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.”

Psa 138:2 “I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name [God] for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.”

Php 2:17-18 “Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me.”

• Love Beareth All Things -  Lord Jesus bore all our griefs, our sorrows, our transgressions and our iniquities (Isa 53:4-5). The Greek word for “beareth” means “to endure patiently (or suffer)”, as did the Apostle Paul as he ministered to the Gentiles according to 1 Cor 9:11-12.  A Christian must demonstrate the love of God by patiently bearing, or enduring, adversity for the cause of the Gospel of Christ. May God cause us to depart from sin, rejoice in the Truths of His Word, and patiently bear the burdens of His service for His honor and glory.

1 Cor 13:4-8 “Charity [Love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7Beareth all things ...”

Isa 53:4-5 “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

1 Cor 9:11-12 “If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things? If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.”

• Love Believeth All Things - Since the Greek word for “believeth” is the usual word for “believe”, what does it mean that love believes “all things”? It's Lord Jesus belief and Faith, that God will not leave his soul in hell nor will his body see corruption (Acts 2:22-28), that saved us (Gal 2:20). Remember, we have been talking about God’s love as manifested in the lives of His children – those whom He has saved. They are the true believers who have come to know the truths of God’s Word. They read and study the Bible so that they can learn “all things” that God has placed there to strengthen their belief, or faith, in the Lord Jesus Christ – that is, the faith that God has given them as a result of salvation. Thus, by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit true believers can understand spiritual truths from the Scriptures and can distinguish them from the lies of all the false gospels and religions of the world.

1 Cor 13:4-8 “Charity [Love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7Beareth all things, believeth all things ...”

Acts 2:25-27 “For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”

Gal 2:16 “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.”

Gal 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

1 Cor 2:10-13 “But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. 12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.”

1 John 4:1 “Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try [test] the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”

• Love Hopeth All Things -  Lord Jesus became our only hope (1 Tim 1:1, Rom 8:24-25) in this life and life to come eternally (1 cor 15:19). God has placed the “hope” of eternal life in every true Christian’s soul. This is not a worldly “hope” that something good might happen in the future. God’s “hope” is an absolute certainty that “all things” God says about His salvation program in His Word, the Bible, will be fulfilled, as we read in Rom 8:24-25.  

1 Cor 13:4-8 “Charity [Love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things ...”

Acts 2:25-27 “For David speaketh concerning him [Lord Jesus], I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.”

1 Peter 1:3 “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”

Rom 8:24-25 “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.”

1 Tim 1:1 “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope.”

1 Cor 15:19 “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.”

• Love Endureth All Things -  Here we have another of the “all things” statements, which pertains to the things of God as set forth in His Word. The Greek word for “endureth” means “to endure or persevere”, which is similar to “beareth” that we studied in the previous lesson – but perhaps indicating greater intensity and longer duration. We find the word used to describe Christ’s suffering on the cross in Heb 12:2-3. Lord Jesus became the author and finisher of our faith by enduring the cross and endured the hostility of the sinners (Heb 12:2-3). A Christian must demonstrate God’s love in his service for his Lord by his endurance, as we read in Mat 10:22.

1 Cor 13:4-8 “Charity [Love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things ...”

Heb 12:2-3 “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

Mat 10:22 “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”

Jam 5:11 “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”

• Love Never Faileth -  The Greek word for “faileth” is translated as “falleth away” and is contrasted with “endureth” in 1 Pet 1:24-25. Here is the great truth about God’s love – it is God’s Word and it can never fail. It is God’s love that is the driving force behind God’s magnificent salvation plan. Lord Jesus loved his children with everlasting love and no tribulation, distress, presecution, famine, nakedness, peril or sword can separate them  from the love of Christ (Rom 8:35). Thus, all of God’s people are secure in His love; and because that love is eternally within their hearts, they will show it to others by their faithfulness to God’s Word, the Bible. A true believer will be happiest when he is doing the will of God by “loving his neighbor” – that is, sharing the Gospel of Christ with his fellowman.

1 Cor 13:4-8 “Charity [Love] suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8Charity never faileth...”

1 Pet 1:24-25 “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”

Rom 8:35-40 “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

1 Cor 13:13 “And now abideth faith, hope, charity [Agape Love], these three; but the greatest of these is charity [Agape Love of God].”