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A look at love in action – 1st Corinthians 13 (verse 6b)
Hello brothers and sisters in Christ, and friends,
So, some of you noticed that I hadn’t done anything with the 1st Corinthians 13 study in a while. And some of you are probably wondering why. ~ Well, that’s easy to explain. When teaching through something, I sometimes come across a subject that I don’t know how to teach well, so I pause on it and pray over it for weeks and months and study and study – till I do know how to teach on it well.
That’s what happened with this study. I got stuck on a phrase: “[Agape – unconditional love] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth…” (1stCorinthians 13:6) ~ Teaching people (including myself) what not to rejoice in is/was fairly easy, because God’s Word is very clear on things that God says are wrong, even if the culture tries to pretend that they’re ‘normal’. But, where I got stuck is how to teach, from the Scriptures, on what we SHOULD rejoice in. You see, we live in a world that is spiritual upside down. What’s wrong is called ‘right’ and what’s right is called ‘wrong or abnormal’. We, as a culture, love what God hates, and hate what God loves (Proverbs 29:27; Luke 16:15). My brethren – it should not be this way, but it is. And there are many reasons for why so many who should be Biblical pastors – aren’t. And there are also many reasons for why those who used to teach Biblically – with passion and fear of the Lord, and live what they preach… have now fallen to many of the sins they once used to leave behind… Didn’t Jesus, through Paul, say that in the last days, it will be perilous times (2nd Timothy 3:1)? It seems to me, that our day and corrupt, rebellious, perverted culture – seems to fit that description.
So, how can we find what we ought to and need to rejoice in? Well, I think God’s been collecting several categories in my mind that will help re-tool our minds to think more like He does. Or, as I like to say – to love what He loves, to hate what He hates (because sin destroys us) and to love others the way He loves us. So, let’s look at some of these things that we need to learn to rejoice in, but please keep in mind that I don’t have a clear order, just subjects to think on.
Rejoice in God’s work, not our own:
“Nevertheless do not rejoice in this, that the spirits [demons] are subject to you [because of the Holy Spirit], but rather rejoice because your names are written in Heaven [for those who are saved].” (Luke 10:20)
Rejoice in the salvation of, or spiritual growth of others – not experiences:
“Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke 15:10)
Rejoice in God’s correction:
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” (James 1:2-4)
“And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: ‘My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the LORD loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.’ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not.” (Hebrews 12:5-8)
“Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, and teach out of Your law…” (Psalm 94:12)
Rejoice in God’s Word:
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be.” (Matthew 5:6)
“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the Law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. The ungodly are not so, but are like the chaff which the wind drives away.” (Psalm 1:1-4)
Rejoice in the healthy fear of the Lord:
“The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.” (Psalm 19:9-11)
Rejoice in a tender conscience:
“Blessed are those who mourn [over their sin/rebellion], for they shall be.” (Matthew 5:4)
“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit… I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,’ And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah” (Psalm 32:5)
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1st John 1:9)
Rejoice in God’s ways:
“Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!” (Romans 11:33)
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love.” (James 1:12)
Rejoice in the Lord, Himself:
“Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! For praise from the upright is beautiful.” (Psalm 33:1)
“Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.” (Psalm 97:12)
“Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord…” (Philippians 3:1)
“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4)
Rejoice in the praise of God, instead of the praises of man:
“Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” (John 12:42-43)
“And He said to them, ‘You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.’” (Luke 16:15)
“An unjust man is an abomination to the righteous, and he who is upright in the way is an abomination to the wicked.” (Proverbs 29:27)
Rejoice in the truth:
“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” (John 3:19-21)
“I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.” (3rd John 1:4)
Rejoice in being mistreated for Christ’s sake:
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in Heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:10-12)
“Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you, and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of Man’s sake. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in Heaven, for in like manner their fathers did to the prophets… [But] Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” (Luke 6:22-23, 26)
“Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse [lit: wizards casting spells], deceiving and being deceived.” (2nd Timothy 3:12-13)
“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no [guilt for] sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. He who hates Me hates My Father also.” (John 15:18-23)
Well, that gives all of us a good start on things to grow in rejoicing in! ~ If you find others and wish to share them with me, just email me or msg me on FaceBook (FB) ~ praying you have a blessed day! ~ and until next time, let’s keep growing in hunger and thirst for God’s Word and His righteousness, and in studying His Word and sharing His Word with others! ~ your growing brother/friend, SH ~ [email protected]
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Steven Henry is a Bible student and Bible teacher, and a reporter with the INCPU new team, and regular contributor on the Vine of Life team of reporters.
