Sunday, June 30, 2013

Love Defined by God - Lesson 4

Lesson 4:  I Corinthians 13:4 - Love does not boast (brag).  Love subdues pride and vain-glory; It vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, is not bloated with self-conceit, does not swell upon its acquisitions, nor arrogate to itself that honor  or power, or respect, which does not belong to it. It is not insolent, apt to despise others, or trample on them, or treat them with contempt and scorn. Those who are animated with a principle of true brotherly love will in honor prefer one another, Romans 12:10. They will do nothing out of a spirit of contention or vain-glory, but in lowliness of mind will esteem others better than themselves, Philippians 2:3.

True love will give us an esteem of our brethren, and raise our value for them; and this will limit our esteem of ourselves, and prevent the tumors of self-conceit and arrogance. These ill qualities can never grow out of tender affection for the brethren, nor a diffusive benevolence. 

The word rendered in our translation vaunteth itself bears other significations; nor is the proper meaning, as I can find, settled; but in every sense and meaning true charity stands in opposition to it. The Syriac renders it, non tumultuatur - does not raise tumults and disturbances. Charity calms the angry passions, instead of raising them. Others render it, Non perper et pervers agit - It does not act insidiously with any, seek to ensnare them, nor tease them with needless importunities and addresses. It is not froward, nor stubborn and untractable, nor apt to be cross and contradictory. 

Some understand it of dissembling and flattery, when a fair face is put on, and fine words are said, without any regard to truth, or intention of good. Charity abhors such falsehood and flattery. Nothing is commonly more pernicious, nor more apt to cross the purposes of true love and good will.

Written by Matthew Henry

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Love Defined by God--Lesson 3

Lesson 3:  I Corinthians 13:4 --Love suppresses envy: It envieth not; it is not grieved at the good of others; neither at their gifts nor at their good qualities, their honours nor their estates.

If we love our neighbour we shall be so far from envying his welfare, or being displeased with it, that we shall share in it and rejoice at it. His bliss and sanctification will be an addition to ours, instead of impairing or lessening it. This is the proper effect of kindness and benevolence: envy is the effect of ill-will. 

The prosperity of those to whom we wish well can never grieve us; and the mind which is bent on doing good to all can never will ill to any.

Written by Matthew Henry

Friday, June 28, 2013

Love Defined by God--Lesson 2

Lesson 2:  I Corinthians 13:4 - Love is kind - chrÄ“steuetai. It is benign, bountiful; it is courteous and obliging. The 
law of kindness is in her lips; her heart is large, and her hand open. She is ready to show favours and to do good. She seeks to be useful; and not only seizes on opportunities of 
doing good, but searches for them.

This is her general character. She is patient under injuries, and apt and inclined to do all the good offices in her power. And under these two generals all the particulars of the character may be reduced.

Written by Matthew Henry

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Love Defined by GOD

My, my, it has been a while since I posted to my blog--over a year!  I hope to do a better job, starting today.

So what has been on my mind lately?  Well, I can always depend on God to put on my mind what HE thinks is important--  and his method is most often through my experiences.

True love has been on my mind the last couple of days, but I have come to realize that it is not always present in my heart.  I believe that God has signed me up for a new class that he is teaching and it is called, REAL LOVE 101.  My first lesson starts in I Corinthians 13:4.  I will not add any of my own thoughts because I am just the student; but instead over the next ten days or so, I will share my reading assignment from Matthew Henry's commentary.  This Scripture interpretation by him, has shown me that I truly know nothing much about what True Love from God's perspective is.  My goal is to learn and try to exhibit it more every day.  I guess if I pass the course, I will look a little more like Jesus.

Lesson 1:  1 Corinthians 13:4- Love is patient (long suffering)...

The apostle gives us in these verses some of the properties and effects of charity, both to describe and commend it, that we may know whether we have this grace and that if we have not we may fall in love with what is so exceedingly amiable, and not rest till we have obtained it. It is an excellent grace, and has a world of good properties belonging to it. As,
I. It is long suffering - makrothumei. It can endure evil, injury, and provocation, without being filled with resentment, indignation, or revenge. It makes the mind firm, gives it power over the angry passions, and furnishes it with a persevering patience, that shall rather wait and wish for the reformation of a brother than fly out in resentment of his conduct. It will put up with many slights and neglects from the person it loves, and wait long to see the kindly effects of such patience on him.

Please come back tomorrow for Lesson 2.