We are in the midst of a study of Christian love. We have noted that it is a part of every relationship a Christian is involved in and how important it is. AGAPE love means caring about someone enough that you are willing to sacrifice for him. In our last article we began noting the characteristics of Christian love as found in 1 Corinthians 13. We find that this love is long-suffering, kind, and it behaves properly. It does not envy, nor act conceited. We will now note some more recorded in this text.
The next characteristic listed is: Love does not seek its own (v.5). Summed up this means it is not selfish. We live in a self-centered society. From a young age, we are taught that we come before anyone or anything else. It is taught in schools, on television, in modern music and many other places in society. We see it in our legal system where lawyers encourage their clients to deny guilt and look for "loop-holes" to free their clients of responsibility. Our society has suffered in so many ways because of this. Children are left at daycare centers so that both parents can lead a "fulfilling life". The divorce rate is soaring and many refuse to get married because of the responsibility associated with it. Gambling is becoming legalized in more and more places (Gambling is selfish because it places a wager against others in order to win at the expense of the others). The suicide rate is far too high. Crimes of selfishness are documented daily. Such an attitude is ungodly. 2 Timothy 3 warns Timothy of the perilous times to come, "For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness, but denying its power. And from such people turn away." (3:2-5) As you examine that list you find it is filled with acts of selfishness. And Christians are told to stay away from these types of people. Other passages tell Christians to not be selfish. Consider, 1 Corinthians 10:24, "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being. ", and Philippians 2:4, "Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.", and 1 John 3:17, "But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? " This is not saying a Christian should not take care of himself. In fact numerous passages teach otherwise. But Christian love considers the other person before himself.
Next on the list is not provoked. The word provoked means, literally, "to make sharp, to sharpen". As used in this context it means, "…to irritate, provoke, rouse to anger;" (Thayer). It indicates one who loses his temper. Again, we can see this in our society. We hear stories of "road-rage", and even people killing one another over something that was said. And while most of us may not be guilty to that extreme, most will find themselves from time to time saying things to others that they later regret having said. Or perhaps, without thinking we do something harsh that in some way retaliates for something that was done to us. Christian love does not act this way. The Christian must be in control at ALL TIMES. We are told to control our tongues in James 3:1-12, and even our thoughts (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Ephesians 4:26 says, "…Be angry and do not sin". James 1:19-20 says, "So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God. " Yes, Christian love is in control at all times.
Next on the list we find that this love thinks no evil. Thayer says of the word "thinks" here that it means, "3b. to suppose, deem, judge: absolutely" The idea is one who assumes or looks for evil in a given situation. This is the person who cannot find anything right. He always assumes an evil motive, even in the noblest of acts. This is the person who creates enemies, even where they do not exist. An example of this behavior is found in Luke 7:36-50. Jesus is eating at the house of a Pharisee when a woman comes in and anoints His feet with oil and wipes them with her hair. Note verse 39, "Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he spoke to himself, saying, 'This man, if He were a prophet, would know who and what manner of woman this is who is touching Him, for she is a sinner.' " He was looking for and assuming the worst concerning Jesus, even as good was being done. Needless to say, Jesus did not commend him for his thoughts. We must be careful as Christians to always assume the best in a given situation until we have FACTS that prove otherwise. For example, when one confesses sin and asks for forgiveness, we must assume that he is sincere and honest, even if he has done it numerous times before, unless we have evidence that proves a lack of sincerity. (Jesus said in Matthew 18:21-22 to forgive up to 70 X 7 times. That's 490 times we must forgive one who sins against us and the number is not intended as an absolute.) Christian love demands that we not jump to evil conclusions.
Verse 6 states that this love, "does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth." This expression means that the Christian does not glory in anything that involves sin. He takes no pleasure whatsoever in sin, either in his life or that of others. It does not give him joy to see one suffer who is guilty of sin. He does not support ungodliness in any form (Do we think about this when we vote? Do we consider this everywhere that we go?). Romans 1:32 says, "who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them." Note God's disgust not only with those practicing sin, but also with those who approve of their actions. In such things, Christian love finds no pleasure. Instead, he finds his pleasure in all things that are based upon truth. Truth refers to anything that originates with God and is in accord with the Bible. The Christian loves to do right and he rejoices when he sees anything good prevail. Many examples of this are found in the New Testament. 2 John 4-5 says, "I rejoiced greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, as we received commandment from the Father. " And Philippians 1:18 records Paul's attitude, even though some have evil motives as they presented the truth. While he did not approve of their ways, he said, "What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. " Yes, Christian love has its priorities straight.
(from Thayer's Greek Lexicon, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 2000 by Biblesoft)