LOVE IN ACTION - "Charity," meant agape love -- an unselfish, enduring, and active concern on behalf of others. Love acts with patience and kindness; it does not envy others or seek to impress others, neither does it exhibit arrogance or conceit. Love is never rude, does not seek its own way, is slow to take offense, and bears no malice or resentment. Love does not gloat over the sins of others and is delighted when truth prevails. Love will bear up under any trial and will never lose faith; it is always hopeful and unlimited in its endurance. Finally, genuine love will be eternal. Love, of course, is eternal because Christ is eternal, and Christ is God, and God is love. This classic passage could in fact be read as a beautiful description of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus Christ is, indeed, love in action! - "Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up." - (1 Corinthians 13:4) - It is well known that "charity" in this famous "love chapter" is the Greek agape, which is translated "love" three times as often as it is translated "charity," even in the King James Version. Love is described in this chapter, not with adjectives or adverbs, but with verbs! "Charity," in the Old English sense, was not merely giving to feed the poor (note verse 3), but meant agape love -- an unselfish, enduring, and active concern on behalf of others. In this passage (verses 4-8, 13) are listed 17 actions which love, or charity, does or does not engage in.

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Love in Action

Jesus Christ is love in action

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"Charity," meant agape love -- an unselfish, enduring, and active concern on behalf of others. Love acts with patience and kindness; it does not envy others or seek to impress others, neither does it exhibit arrogance or conceit. 

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Love is never rude, does not seek its own way, is slow to take offense, and bears no malice or resentment. Love does not gloat over the sins of others and is delighted when truth prevails. Love will bear up under any trial and will never lose faith; it is always hopeful and unlimited in its endurance. 

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Finally, genuine love will be eternal. Love, of course, is eternal because Christ is eternal, and Christ is God, and God is love. This classic passage could in fact be read as a beautiful description of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. Jesus Christ is, indeed, love in action!

BY HENRY M. MORRIS, PH.D. 

 

"Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up." - (1 Corinthians 13:4)

 

It is well known that "charity" in this famous "love chapter" is the Greek agape, which is translated "love" three times as often as it is translated "charity," even in the King James Version.

Why then did the scholarly translators prefer to use "charity" in this chapter, of all places?

Possibly it is because 1 Corinthians 13 emphasizes what love does, rather than what love is.

Love is described in this chapter, not with adjectives or adverbs, but with verbs!

"Charity," in the Old English sense, was not merely giving to feed the poor (note verse 3), but meant agape love -- an unselfish, enduring, and active concern on behalf of others.

In this passage (verses 4-8, 13) are listed 17 actions which love, or charity, does or does not engage in.

Love acts with patience and kindness; it does not envy others or seek to impress others, neither does it exhibit arrogance or conceit.

Love is never rude, does not seek its own way, is slow to take offense, and bears no malice or resentment.

Love does not gloat over the sins of others and is delighted when truth prevails.

Love will bear up under any trial and will never lose faith; it is always hopeful and unlimited in its endurance.

Finally, genuine love will be eternal.

Even faith will cease when it is replaced by sight (2 Corinthians 5:7), and hope will finally be fulfilled (Romans 8:24), but love will abide forever.

Love, of course, is eternal because Christ is eternal, and Christ is God, and God is love.

This classic passage, describing genuine Christian love, could in fact be read as a beautiful description of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

That is, "Christ suffereth long, and is kind," and so on, finally climaxing in the great truth, "Christ never faileth."

Jesus Christ is, indeed, love in action!

The Institute for Creation Research (ICR) wants people to know that God’s Word can be trusted in everything it speaks about—from how and why we were made, to how the universe was formed, to how we can know God and receive all He has planned for us.

After 50 years of ministry, ICR remains a leader in scientific research within the context of biblical creation. Founded by Dr. Henry Morris in 1970, ICR exists to conduct scientific research within the realms of origins and Earth history, and then to educate the public both formally and informally through professional training programs, through conferences and seminars around the country, and through books, magazines, and media presentations.

https://www.icr.org/article/love-action

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Down From His Glory

Lyrics by   :   William E. Booth-Clibborn

Composes   :   Eduardo di Capua - Composer

CLICK HERE . . . to view complete playlist . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2019/12/down-from-his-glory-william-e-booth.html

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Christ Poured Himself Out

CLICK HERE . . . to view . . . 

https://puricarechronicles.blogspot.com/2020/05/christ-poured-himself-out-paul-is-not.html

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TRUSTING GOD IN THE SHADOWS - The Lord has us wait in His shadow to remind us we're not the star attraction - that cultivates genuine humility. While God hides us away, He reveals new dimensions of Himself and new insights regarding ministry - that makes us deep. What we need today is not smarter people or busier people - a far greater need is deeper people. Deep people will always have a ministry - always. God deepens us through time spent waiting on Him. When God finally chooses to use us, it comes at a time least expected, when we feel the least qualified - that makes us effective. The perfect set-up for a long-lasting, effective ministry begins with surprise. That's the idea - it's refreshing, in this highly efficient age, to find a few who are still amazed at the way God is using them - I want to dispense a fresh supply of hope in a time when God leads you to wait in the shadows. When God prepares us for effective ministry, He includes what we would rather omit — a period of waiting. That cultivates patience. We're all in a hurry. We don't like to miss one panel of a revolving door. Patience comes hard in a hurry-up society. Yet, it's an essential quality, cultivated only in extended periods of waiting. One major reason the Lord removes us and has us wait in His shadow is to remind us we're not the star attraction. We're not indispensable. That realization cultivates genuine humility. All the while waiting for his time — correction, God's time.

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Trusting God in the Shadows

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The Lord has us wait in His shadow to remind us we're not the star attraction - that cultivates genuine humility. While God hides us away, He reveals new dimensions of Himself and new insights regarding ministry - that makes us deep. What we need today is not smarter people or busier people - a far greater need is deeper people. Deep people will always have a ministry - always. God deepens us through time spent waiting on Him. When God finally chooses to use us, it comes at a time least expected, when we feel the least qualified - that makes us effective. The perfect set-up for a long-lasting, effective ministry begins with surprise. That's the idea - it's refreshing, in this highly efficient age, to find a few who are still amazed at the way God is using them

Chuck Swindoll

Insight for Today

Scriptures: Acts 11:25; 2 Corinthians 12:2-6

812

I want to dispense a fresh supply of hope. To help accomplish that, let me suggest four principles.

They may mean more to you later than now — in a time when God leads you to wait in the shadows.

First, when God prepares us for effective ministry, He includes what we would rather omit — a period of waiting.

That cultivates patience.

As I write these words, it occurs to me that I've never met anyone young and patient. (To be honest, I've not met many old and patient folks either.)

We're all in a hurry. We don't like to miss one panel of a revolving door.

Patience comes hard in a hurry-up society. Yet, it's an essential quality, cultivated only in extended periods of waiting.

Second, as God makes us wait, hiding us in His shadow, He shows us we're not indispensable.

That makes us humble.

One major reason the Lord removes us and has us wait in His shadow is to remind us we're not the star attraction.

We're not indispensable. That realization cultivates genuine humility.

I'm convinced Paul never once questioned God for having His hand on Peter and Barnabas, rather than on him.

In a time when most gifted individuals would have been volunteering at the revival headquarters, Paul willingly remained behind the scenes.

All the while waiting for his time — correction, God's time.

Third, while God hides us away, He reveals new dimensions of Himself and new insights regarding ministry.

That makes us deep. What we need today is not smarter people or busier people.

A far greater need is deeper people.

Deep people will always have a ministry. Always.

God deepens us through time spent waiting on Him.

Fourth, when God finally chooses to use us, it comes at a time least expected, when we feel the least qualified.

That makes us effective. The perfect set-up for a long-lasting, effective ministry begins with surprise.

"Me? You sure You don't want that other person? She's got great qualifications and obvious gifts. You may want to talk to her."

That's the idea.

It's refreshing, in this highly efficient age, to find a few who are still amazed at the way God is using them.

Taken from Great Days with the Great Lives by Charles R. Swindoll.

Charles R. Swindoll has devoted his life to the accurate, practical teaching and application of God’s Word and His grace. A pastor at heart, Chuck has served as senior pastor to congregations in Texas, Massachusetts, and California. Since 1998, he has served as the founder and senior pastor-teacher of Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas, but Chuck’s listening audience extends far beyond a local church body. As a leading program in Christian broadcasting since 1979, Insight for Living airs in major Christian radio markets around the world, reaching people groups in languages they can understand. Chuck’s extensive writing ministry has also served the body of Christ worldwide and his leadership as president and now chancellor of Dallas Theological Seminary has helped prepare and equip a new generation for ministry. Chuck and Cynthia, his partner in life and ministry, have four grown children, ten grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.

https://insight.org/resources/daily-devotional/individual/trusting-god-in-the-shadows1

LOVE IS PATIENT - “Wedding vows are under a vicious attack.” 1 Corinthians 13, the famous love chapter in Scripture, begins its list of attributes with the words “love is patient.” For the Christian celebrating decades of marriage — or just getting married — it’s not about passion and romance; it’s about patience in sickness and health, in wealth and want, for better or for worse. No matter how horribly depressing and difficult things are, cling to God’s grace moment-by-moment - “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” If you’re shopping for an anniversary this month, you’ll find a large selection of beautiful, expensive cards describing your spouse as the most virtuous, fault-free, brave, and lovely person on the planet. But the truth is — can I say this in print? — it’s often difficult to love your spouse. This is precisely why 1 Corinthians 13, the famous love chapter in Scripture, begins its list of attributes with the words “love is patient.” For the Christian celebrating decades of marriage — or just getting married — it’s not about passion and romance; it’s about patience in sickness and health, in wealth and want, for better or for worse. What’s more, in any relationship, God asks you to show patience with other’s shortcomings, to display mercy toward them, to release them from meeting all your righteous expectations, to bear with their weaknesses, and to not be itching to correct them.

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Love is Patient

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“Wedding vows are under a vicious attack.” 1 Corinthians 13, the famous love chapter in Scripture, begins its list of attributes with the words “love is patient.” For the Christian celebrating decades of marriage — or just getting married — it’s not about passion and romance; it’s about patience in sickness and health, in wealth and want, for better or for worse. No matter how horribly depressing and difficult things are, cling to God’s grace moment-by-moment

Joni and Friends 

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4

If you’re shopping for an anniversary this month, you’ll find a large selection of beautiful, expensive cards describing your spouse as the most virtuous, fault-free, brave, and lovely person on the planet.

But the truth is — can I say this in print? — it’s often difficult to love your spouse.

This is precisely why 1 Corinthians 13, the famous love chapter in Scripture, begins its list of attributes with the words “love is patient.”

For the Christian celebrating decades of marriage — or just getting married — it’s not about passion and romance; it’s about patience in sickness and health, in wealth and want, for better or for worse.

What’s more, in any relationship, God asks you to show patience with other’s shortcomings, to display mercy toward them, to release them from meeting all your righteous expectations, to bear with their weaknesses, and to not be itching to correct them.

The fact is, when you love someone with patience, you love them as God loves you.

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your patient love for me through the years.

You love me when I am unlovable.

You watch over me when I am preoccupied with myself.

You forgive me when I commit the same old tiresome sins right after I have confessed them.

I don’t know how else to say it, but help me to love like You do.

Joni & Ken: An Untold Love Story

“No matter how horribly depressing and difficult things were, we clung to God’s grace moment-by-moment.” - Joni Eareckson Tada

Marriage and disability is no easy union. Approximately 90% of marriages affected by disability end in divorce, but after more than 30 years of marriage, Joni and Ken are breaking the odds. But that doesn’t mean Joni and Ken have not faced their fair share of troubles.

When Zondervan Publishing wanted Joni and Ken to write a book together and to call it Joni & Ken: An Untold Love Story, it was the first time Joni and Ken had ever written something together. Immediately they were motivated to share how God used their struggles against breast cancer, quadriplegia, depression, and chronic pain to deepen their intimacy with Him and with each other.

“Wedding vows are under a vicious attack.”

When asked “Why do you want to write this book?” Joni and Ken simply said: wedding vows are under a vicious attack today, and we want to help married couples grasp the sufficiency of Christ “in sickness and in health” and “for better or for worse.”

Joni & Ken: An Untold Love Story offers readers a rare and candid account of a marriage journey through quadriplegia, depression, pain, and cancer. The book is a testimony to all the grace and faithfulness found in God alone.

“Look, this is a book for guys; it’s a challenge to men to step up to the plate and make good on their vows.” - Ken Tada

https://www.joniandfriends.org/love-is-patient/