COMMENTARY

Don Atkin

LOVE DOES NOT SEEK . . . EQUITY

We are to speak the truth in love. Faith works by love. The fruit of the Spirit is love. God is love. Love never fails.

It seems that we should return at least weekly, if not daily, to I Corinthians 13:1-8a, in our devotional life. A healthy walk in the Spirit should be punctuated by regular evaluations of how we are doing with the great commandment,

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. - John 13:34-35.

It is time for all to know that we are Jesus’ disciples. That includes our enemies (whom we are to love), and also includes those who are closest to us (who get to see us at our worst).

One of the many descriptions of the God kind of love is found in the fifth verse,

Love does not seek its own (NKJ).

Easy to quickly skim over, but let’s not do that. Let’s pause and look at this . . . Love is not self-seeking (NIV); Love does not insist on its own way (ESV); Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way (AMP).

How many relationships could be salvaged if we would release God’s love in us in situations that are beyond our control, sometimes beyond our comprehension? Giving up our rights is among the first steps in Christianity 101.

Jesus demonstrated the life that has come to abide in us. He took up His cross daily in self-denial. He returned good for evil. He prayed for those who persecuted Him. He released God’s love in Him by being a meek and humble servant of all.

Nothing short of this kind of Christianity will accomplish God’s purpose, to fill the earth with His government and glory. Neither lofty theological skills nor idealistic governmental concepts will fill the bill. Our world is filled with the sounding brass and clanging cymbals of religious energy.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. - I John 4:7-8.

Reminder. we cannot pull it off! But, God’s love in us can love anyone, in any place or circumstance, at any time. It’s a faith issue.