Modeling Behavior

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

(Proverbs 15 also read)

It’s strange being caught between the witness of the love chapter and the retribution of Jeremiah chapter 9.  Both speak of the nature of our God.  We often hear about how violent the Old Testament is and how God is so full of wrath while Jesus is love.  It’s a phony contrast.  Keep in mind that the Old Testament covers over 1000 years and you are witnessing centuries of God’s patience before He finally acts.  In the New Testament you’re talking about decades.  Patience requires time to be demonstrated.

I actually like the KJV here in the sense that it says that patience means “long suffering”.  God has definitely suffered long.  He endured the disobedience and rebellion of Israel year after year after year.  He sent prophet after prophet.  He pleaded with them.  They went merrily on their way and eventually they paid the price.

God is also patient with us.

So?  Again, I say don’t push your luck.  God is patient.  He has long suffering.  He will give us every benefit of the doubt.  Eventually, we will force him to move.  I pray that He would move in the direction of salvation.  

Love Is Today

(1Co 13:7 KJV)  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

This is a verse in the middle of the Love Chapter that roles off the tongue so fast that I often don’t stop to think about it.  As I was thinking about love not being provoked on another post, my mind went down to this verse.  This speaks about the process of not being provoked.  Notice that this verse begins with bearing all things and ends with enduring all things.  These are two very important aspects of what love is.

We are to love even when others don’t have a clue to what love is.  Love is not romance.  Love is not feelings.  Love is not never having to say you’re sorry.  It is making allowance and desiring the best for everyone involved.

So?  Implement.  Start right now.

Give and Take

(1Co 13:5 KJV)  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

Love is not "provoked" (3947).  The KJV adds “easily”.  I am wondering if the opposite is also true, love does not provoke.  It is all very good to try to be kind and non-abusive.  That does not guarantee that the other person will respond in kind.  In fact, based on human nature, it is possible that your good attitude will encourage them to be even more provoking.

It doesn’t make any difference.  We are not called to respond to people the way they act toward us.  We are to live Christ in front of them even if they reject it and mock you.

So?  We are to set the right example, not follow the wrong one. 

Arrogant Ears

(1Co 13:4 NAS77) Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,

(Proverbs 11 also read)

Love is not arrogant.

I have been noticing recently that people don’t seem to be interested in the “in depth” conversations I want.  They don’t read the books I am reading.  They don’t get my points.  I start feeling frustrated.

This could be a demonstration of arrogance.  What do I mean, could be?  Is.

It dawned on me was that I need to listen to some of the things I have been getting out of Proverbs as I read it every month and one of those lessons was to listen instead of talking.  One reason why people are not communicating is because there is so much to say but no one is listening.

So?  To combat arrogance in my life I need to stop worrying about sharing my great insights and listen.  It may be that I will hear nothing but nonsense but that is arrogance talking. 

The Overlooked Quality

(Pro 27:4 KJV)  Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

I often go to I Corinthians 13 when I am stumbling in relationships.  It is always good to remind ourselves of the importance and the definition of love.  Never forget that it is agape, not eros or philios.  At one point I was working through the qualities listed in verse four,

(1Co 13:4 KJV)  Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

I realized that I was much more patient than I had thought.  I really need to deal with kindness.  What slipped by me was the “Jealousy” (7068), or envy in the KJV.  I did not think I had any problem with jealousy.

One day I was reading this and it came to me that jealousy can refer to immaterial things.  I found that I was looking at the free time others had, and I was jealous.  It went on from there.

So?  I stand convicted.  There is always something we can learn and work on. 

Character Assassination

(Pro 16:27 KJV) An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.

There are certain hallmarks of Christian character that migrate across to Christian culture.  We have the idea of “turning the other cheek”.  That is foreign to pagans.  We have the rejection of bribery.  One that is drummed in but often passes under the radar is the desire of the best for other people.  We find it referred to in the Love Chapter,

(1Co 13:6 KJV) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

We see it in Proverbs,

(Pro 24:17 KJV) Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth:

This is another page in that chapter.  We are not supposed to go around digging up dirt on people.

So?  Avoid character assassination.  Most people will dig their own graves.  They don’t need help from you and if you live right they may turn to you in a time of crisis.

Slow Blessings

(Proverbs 28:20 KJV)  A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent.

When we think of Christian character there is a word that keeps coming up.  Here the word referring to that character is “faithful” (530) and the quality associated with it is patience.  Two key places we see this are the gifts of the Spirit,

(Galatians 5:22 KJV)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

and the description of love,

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

For those not familiar with the KJV, “longsuffering” is one of its translations of suffering.

So?  Here the context is gaining wealth but the principle applies to every area of life.  God has his timing for our finances, our marrying, our child bearing and even our new car.

Forecast Is More Wind

(Proverbs 27:3 KJV)  A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.

Recently as I experiment with an I-Pad ap called Pandora I have come across a scattering of recording artists who have done “Blowing in the Wind”.  I have always enjoyed the music as long as I don’t pay too much attention to the words.  It is a cute anti-war song.  I am against war.  Any sane person is against war.  That is not my focus today.  What came to my mind in relation to this verse were the concluding words to each verse, “When will they ever learn?”

One of the sad truths about life is that most people will never learn.  That is the reason that all of the government sponsored gambling schemes keep raising millions.  It is why tele-marketers keep coming back.  It is why some products are still being sold in the dollar stores.  It is the inspiration for that quote “Insanity is defined as doing the same thing over and expecting different results.”  People do not learn.

So?  Life will be full of heavy things and foolish people.  We need to keep calling on God to get through all of the headwinds we run into.  That is why the apostle Paul tells us,

(1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV)  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

Let God Do It

(Proverbs 24:29 KJV)  Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.

This is another approach to turning the other cheek or I guess you could say the words of Jesus are another because they came later.  What is added here is an insight into why we are not to seek revenge.  Vengeance is in the sphere of God’s activities.  When we take it on we are usurping the role of God and we are not to do that.

There are actions and attitude that are acceptable for God and reserved for His prerogative.  We access them at our peril.  Want another example?  Yahweh is a jealous God.

(Deuteronomy 4:24 KJV)  For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.

Yet jealousy is not a character trait that we are allowed to have. 

(1 Corinthians 13:4 NAS77)  Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,

For “jealous” the KJV has “envieth not”.  I assume the reason is that God’s motives are pure and holy while ours are tainted. 

So?  Be really careful not to try to take over God’s role.  It is easy to do and a constant temptation.  When you read something in the Bible that calls for change it is likely that the change is to be in you, not in someone you think needs to get their act together.

Worse Than a Bad Temper

(Proverbs 27:4 KJV)  Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

This verse seems to be saying that “envy” (jealousy NASB) (7068) is worse than “anger” (639).  Why?  My first connection was with the Love Chapter, I Corinthians 13.  Jealousy is the third behavior on the list in the NASB.  It is one of my struggles at the moment.

(1 Corinthians 13:4 NAS77)  Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant,

Later on it deals with anger but with an interesting twist that might give us an insight.

(1 Corinthians 13:5 KJV)  Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

The word “anger” is not used but anger is something that is provoked.  The provocation may not be worthy of the response but in our minds we are reacting to what others have done.  Jealousy tends to be caused by wanting what others have.  Jealousy is much more subtle and easier to hide.

Sometimes we think that if we avoid one sinful action we can slide with the others.  If we don’t have a temper it is easy to look down on those who do and ignore our jealousies.  Righteousness is not on a point system.  One reason people don’t like the idea of righteousness is that it applies to all of life, not just the rules churches come up with.

So?  Put jealousy on your list of concerns.  For me it expresses itself in feelings of outrage because I imagine I have it harder than others.  For you it might be something more classical like being a jealous husband.  Think about it.

Ruling Desire

(Proverbs 19:22 KJV)  The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar.

What a surprise.  It is desirable to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. 

(Galatians 5:22 KJV)  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness (kindness NASB), goodness, faith,

There is a sense here where the word “his” should be capitalized because this kind of character is impossible without the touch of God so it really become His kindness, not ours.  When we walk with Jesus, “kindness” (2617a) [chesed] begins to grow and be a part of our personality.  When we are not exhibiting it, we become dissatisfied with our performance and strive to improve. 

It is also mentioned as an expression of love.

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

So?  Kindness is not an option in the Christian walk.  It is a gift and a discipline.  Allow God to do His part.  Do your part.

Bear Love

(Proverbs 10:12 KJV)  Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Popular theology has a lot of popular mythology in it.  One of the concepts that rears up even among believers is the idea that God the Father, found in the Old Testament, is a God of wrath and that Jesus is a God of love.  That simply demonstrates a lack of understanding.  Here is another indication that the teachings you find in the NT are grounded in the OT.  Here is an early source of what is thought of as a NT concept.  “Love” (160) “covers” (3680) “sins” (transgressions NASB) (6588).  I see again how much of the NT God of Love is revealed in the OT under the God of Wrath.

We see this thought in the love Chapter.

(1 Corinthians 13:7 KJV)  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

Here the word “beareth” has a basic meaning of covering.  Some other time I may look at other places the thought is used.

So?  Just think of how quickly the world would be destroyed if God were as quick to judge as some people think.  I am sure that I would not even survive the drive to work in the morning.  Let our actions to those who wrong us mirror God’s patient love toward us. 

All Time Lovers

(Proverbs 17:17 KJV)  A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

When Christians talk or read about love our minds should eventually touch on I Corinthians 13, the Love Chapter.  It is the standard by which love is measured and understood.  Look at verse 8

(1 Corinthians 13:8 KJV)  Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

“Charity” is the Greek word agape.  It is the key word for Christian love.  Do you see this New Testament verse reflecting the Old Testament statement?  Love from God, agape love, endures for “all” (3605) “times” (6256).  It never fails.

So?  Are you tempted to give up on a particular person or life in general?  I know I am.  Today.  Right now.  I need to be reminded that the love God has put in my heart does not give up, cannot give up.  God willing I will live that.  He is.  I will. 

Another Cover Up

(Proverbs 17:9 KJV)  He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

The first phrase in this verse brings to mind other passages.  First, in Proverbs.

(Proverbs 10:12 KJV)  Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

Than a passage in the Love Chapter.

(1 Corinthians 13:7 KJV)  Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

In this case the word “beareth” literally means to cover.

And from the Apostle Peter,

(1 Peter 4:8 KJV)  And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.

And remember that “charity” in the KJV is the Greek word agape which is the highest form of love to Christians.

So?  If you are a follower of Jesus and accept the Bible as God’s word it is hard to get away from the demand that we love.  And love means that we don’t return to people the evils that they send our way.  Get involved in a cover up today.  Love through forgiveness.

Simple Complexity

(Proverbs 17:17 KJV)  A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

Proverbs gives different pictures of what a “friend” (7453) is.  Some are positive like this.  Others bring out dangers and cautions.  Why can’t things be simple?

This is one of the ways of knowing you are on the Highway of Holiness.  Life has nuance and is multi leveled.  Take the nature of God, for instance.  God is one.  Simple.  Until you keep reading and come across the three persons of the Trinity.  Or take salvation:  We are saved by grace.  Simple.  Until you come across the admonition to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 

We have a tendency to want to put everything in simple terms.  If it works for you and you don’t get judgmental of those who see the complex nature of eternity, then grab hold and don’t let go.  I hope you will forgive my tendency to think of that as a position for those new in the faith or immature in their spiritual life.  Even on a simple topic like “loves” (157) we find Paul saying,

(1 Corinthians 13:11 KJV)  When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

So?  In some areas my faith is simple.  In other areas it is shrouded in mystery.  In all areas I expect it to be growing and maturing, never leaving behind the central awareness of the cross.  Wherever your walk is taking you, blessings.