This study concerns the love that God has demonstrated for us, and this is the love we are to manifest as a reflection of that love and a fruit of His Spirit. God loved by sending His Son revealing that this is a love of action and self-sacrifice. This love becomes the pattern for us to love others.
Paul is telling the Corinthians that love in their relationships should be characterized by actions. He identifies fifteen actions that reveal what love does, and does not do. Because this love is an act of the will, it can be commanded and is not dependent upon our feelings.
These verses discuss the last six of those verbs describing the activity of this love. We learn that this love does not delight when 'bad' things happen to people who have caused us grief or treated us unfairly. This love does rejoice over things which happen that are consistent with God's character and testify of His truth. So needful in our relationships is the characteristic of this love that will think the best of others and give them the benefit of the doubt. It will not allow disappointments and past difficulties to be obstacles to longing for others to most fully realize the grace of God in their lives. As we interact, biblical love will persevere and not be hindered, nor deterred, by circumstances that are unpleasant. By this love we will put up one another.
The bottom line is, this love is a fruit of the Spirit and if we are a believer we will be able to act in love toward all.
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In the fall of 1969, Gil began a full-time teaching ministry as Senior Pastor of Indian Hills Community Church. He also earned his Ph.D. from the California Graduate School of Theology. The focus of Pastor Rugh’s ministry is systematic, verse-by-verse teaching of the Bible. As a...
