Rejoices In the Truth (Holy Atta Boys)

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

The greatest proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit in an individual or a congregation is the expression of Holy Spirit directed love. But what does this love look like? Today we’ll continue to look at love as found in the love chapter of the Bible….1 Cor 13!

 

We pick it up in verse 6, where we finally have an example of what love does! It rejoices in truth. This rejoicing is the flip side of not rejoicing in the iniquity that we spoke of last time.

 

The word “rejoicing” here is different than the preceding word used for rejoicing and it encompasses congratulating those who walk in the truth.  Rather than rejoicing in tolerance of sin, it turns the coin around and congratulates those who seek to live in accordance with the truth of God’s Word.

 

This kind of love is on display in Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians 1Th 3:9 as he complimented them on their example of Christian living, He said , “For what thanks can we render to God for you, for all the joy with which we rejoice for your sake before our God,

 

In a nutshell, Holy Spirit directed love freely hands out holy “atta boys” to those who bear the marks of living in accordance with God’s truth. Love sees the good and is quick to acknowledge it.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Does Not Rejoice in Iniquity

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

The greatest proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit in an individual or a congregation is the expression of Holy Spirit directed love. But what does this love look like? Today we’ll continue to look at love as found in the love chapter of the Bible….1 Cor 13!

 

We pick it up in verse 6, where we have another example of what agape is not! 1Co 13:6 love does not rejoice in iniquity.

 

Of course, I don’t rejoice in iniquity1 I’m a Christian. I hate sin and iniquity. Isn’t that what iniquity is?

 

Well, yeah, but it’s even more than sin. Iniquity  as defined in the Strong’s Concordance is “wrongfulness of character, life, or act” In other words, it’s where one’s character,  lifestyle, or actions are marked by sin.

 

Holy Spirit inspired love is never happy about that. It does not rejoice in iniquity displayed by self or others. It is disturbed by the marks of sin.

 

This is one of the dangers of conforming to the standards of the world, we gradually become comfortable with sin. Being comfortable with sin is another way of saying, “rejoicing in iniquity.”

 

It was one of the problems of the Corinthian church that Paul sought to address in 1Co 5:1 It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles--that a man has his father's wife!  2 And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among you.

 

 These Corinthians were in essence rejoicing in iniquity, they weren’t letting that man’s sin disturb them. This is not the way of Holy Spirit love. What happens to that man in the long run if his sin of sexual immorality is not addressed?

 

1Co 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, 10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

 

I hate to say this, but in our culture and even in the church today, we are relatively unbothered by the sin of fornication, sex outside the bounds of marriage. It is the way of the world that many of our young people have fallen into and the churches silence on the matter is simply “rejoicing in iniquity.”

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Thinks No Evil

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

The greatest proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit in an individual or a congregation is the expression of agape love. But what is love? Today we’ll continue to look at Holy Spirit directed love as found in the love chapter of the Bible….1 Cor 13!

 

We pick it up in verse 5, where we have another example of what agape is not! 1Co 13:5 agape love thinks no evil.  

 

The word “thinks” here is interesting. It means “inventory,” and inventories speak of lists. With the agape love of Jesus flowing through our veins we do not keep a record of our neighbor’s wrongs (evils) against us. Oh Jesus, help me out with this one!

Ps 130:3,4 reminds us of the agape love of our heavenly Father,  3 If You, LORD, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? 4 But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared.

 

God does not keep a list of our wrongs against Him and as His children we should not keep a list of sins against us. He wipes the dry erase board clean with the blood of Jesus.

 

How many times should we forgive our neighbors sins against us? Mt 18:21 Then Peter came to Him and said, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?"  22 Jesus said to him, "I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

 

Forgive often, forgive completely lest the inventory of sins and bitterness grows in your heart.

 

And before you partake in the Lord’s support where God promises to remove that list of sins against you, be sure to wipe your slate clean with your brother or sister!

 

 

 

Mt 5:23 "Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,  24 "leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

 

Think no evil. Do away with your list of grievances against others, it’s not only wise, it is necessary.  Mt 6:15 "But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Not Easily Provoked

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

The greatest proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit in an individual or a congregation is the expression of agape love. But what is love? Today we’ll continue to look at Holy Spirit directed love as found in the love chapter of the Bible….1 Cor 13!

 

We pick it up in verse 5, where we have another example of what agape is not! 1Co 13:5 agape love  is not easily provoked.

 

In other words, strong feelings of irritation or annoyance are not easily stirred up. Agape love does not dwell on pet peeves. I think a key word here is “easily,” Agape love does not let minor annoyances grow into major distractions. If not held in check the minor annoyance turns into not only a dislike for the annoyance but a dislike for the annoyer. And that is not  fitting, (Behind every set of eyes is a soul that matters to God)

 

A reading from Jesus Calling, the devotional written by the late Sarah Young is quite fitting here, She writes, “When little things don’t go as you hoped, look to Me (Jesus) lightheartedly and say, Oh well.” This simple discipline can protect you from being burdened with an accumulation of petty cares and frustrations.”

 

And I might add, it will keep you from falling for the trap being set by the devil to distract you from the main thing, walking with Jesus!

 

You will likely run into a pet peeve or two today, especially during rush hour! Oh well, say a prayer for the annoyer and the annoyance will fade away.

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Does Not Seek Its Own

 I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

The greatest proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit in an individual or a congregation is the expression of agape love. But what is love? Today we’ll continue to look at Holy Spirit directed love as found in the love chapter of the Bible….1 Cor 13!

 

We pick it up in verse 5, where we have another example of what agape is not! 1Co 13:5 agape love  does not seek its own.

To put it in the form of a question, love never asks, “What’s in it for me.? Love just asks , “how can I serve you? How can I help you meet your need?” Whole congregations and individuals should always be poised to answer that question.

 

Php 2:3 puts it this way: Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.

 

It’s what Jesus did when He left the glories of heaven to take on human flesh. It wasn’t s matter of “What’s in it for me, it was what’s in it for  fallen men. Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

 

He didn’t come to seek perfect men, (there aren’t any, only some who think they are, but all have sinned) He came for those in need of a spiritual physician!

 

Lu 5:30 And their scribes and the Pharisees complained against His disciples, saying, "Why do You eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" 31 Jesus answered and said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 32 "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

 

Love doesn’t seek atta boys and rewards, it seeks to consider the needs of others above your own.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word

Love Does Not Behave Rudely (Shamefully)

 

I’m Duane Matz and welcome to Today’s Living Word.

 

The greatest proof of the presence of the Holy Spirit in an individual or a congregation is the expression of agape love. But what is love? Today we’ll continue to look at Holy Spirit directed love as found in the love chapter of the Bible….1 Cor 13!

 

We pick it up in verse 5, where we have another example of what agape is not! 1Co 13:5 does not behave rudely

 

The essence of the Greek word here is shame. Agape love does not act in ways that would bring shame to the individual or the Body of Christ. This kind of behavior might get a sarcastic response from an onlooker that sounds like this: “Oh so that’s what it’s like to be a Christian!”

 

I remember it like it was yesterday. My mother and step father (who were not believers at the time) were visiting. My young son and I went outside to attempt to fly a kite that we had made out of newspaper. 

No matter what we tried, it would not fly, and as they were watching out the window, out of frustration I flew into a rage and destroyed that kite with my hands and feet. I think you get the picture!

 

We came into the house and my mother said, “Oh so that’s what it’s like to be a Christian.”

 

It’s not, and I knew it. I was cut to the heart by her remark, and the Holy Spirit took over. I immediately knelt at their feet and said, “No it’s not please forgive me.”

 

I don’t know how that simple act of humility played out in their lives, but I like to think it played a role in their coming to Christ a couple of months later.

 

Yes, agape loves does not bring shame upon the body of Christ, but if you slip up, as I did, be quick to humbly acknowledge it as wrong and confess it!

 

Because agape love seeks to avoid shameful behavior.

 

I’m Duane Matz and that’s Today’s Living Word