Sister Sunny Sunday School 8/18/13
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word,
neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
What would love do?
Charity thinks no evil.
Jer 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward
you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an
expected end.
God is love. He
thinks no evil. His only desire is for
our benefit. He is not willing that any
should perish but that all come to repentance.
He desires that all be with Him in heaven. He will work in every heart to that end.
2Co 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not
war after the flesh:
2Co 10:4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the
pulling down of strong holds;)
2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high
thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into
captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Cast down imaginations.
Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Thoughts are in my experience the most
difficult thing to bring into captivity.
The only way to get rid of one thought is to fill your mind with
something else, change your focus. If I
can think of a song or turn my mind to praising God or thinking of what I read
in devotions or what Brother Gary’s message was, then it helps me to change
from a negative focus to a right focus.
What we are to think on:
Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are
true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be
any praise, think on these things.
This is the biggest challenge we have: think on these
things. Thinking thoughts that are true,
honest, and just is not enough to give us a right focus. There are a lot of things that we can think
on that are true, honest and just that would lead us down an avenue of hurt,
bitterness, or supposition. Our thoughts
must also be pure, lovely, and of good report.
We are to think on things that are of virtue and of praise.
2Sa 10:3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said
unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he
hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather
sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to
overthrow it?
We know that thinking evil in this situation caused Hanun to
act in a way that made him despised by David and created a situation where
there could only be war. Our fears and
evil thinking of the intentions of others can create issues where there are no
issues.
What would love do?
Matthew Henry -
VIII. Charity thinks no evil. It cherishes no malice, nor gives way to revenge: so some understand it. It is not soon, nor long, angry; it is never mischievous, nor inclined to revenge; it does not suspect evil of others, ou logizetai to kakon - it does not reason out evil, charge guilt upon them by inference and innuendo, when nothing of this sort appears open. True love is not apt to be jealous and suspicious; it will hide faults that appear, and draw a veil over them, instead of hunting and raking out those that lie covered and concealed: it will never indulge suspicion without proofs, but will rather incline to darken and disbelieve evidence against the person it affects. It will hardly give into an ill opinion of another, and it will do it with regret and reluctance when the evidence cannot be resisted; hence it will never be forward to suspect ill, and reason itself into a bad opinion upon mere appearances, nor give way to suspicion without any. It will not make the worst construction of things, but put the best face that it can on circumstances that have no good appearance.
VIII. Charity thinks no evil. It cherishes no malice, nor gives way to revenge: so some understand it. It is not soon, nor long, angry; it is never mischievous, nor inclined to revenge; it does not suspect evil of others, ou logizetai to kakon - it does not reason out evil, charge guilt upon them by inference and innuendo, when nothing of this sort appears open. True love is not apt to be jealous and suspicious; it will hide faults that appear, and draw a veil over them, instead of hunting and raking out those that lie covered and concealed: it will never indulge suspicion without proofs, but will rather incline to darken and disbelieve evidence against the person it affects. It will hardly give into an ill opinion of another, and it will do it with regret and reluctance when the evidence cannot be resisted; hence it will never be forward to suspect ill, and reason itself into a bad opinion upon mere appearances, nor give way to suspicion without any. It will not make the worst construction of things, but put the best face that it can on circumstances that have no good appearance.
What would love do?
Rejoices not in iniquity but rejoices in the truth.
Iniquity -
G93 ἀδικία adikia
ad-ee-kee'-ah
From G94;
(legal) injustice (properly the quality, by implication the act); moral wrongfulness
(of charater, life or act): - iniquity, unjust, unrighteousness, wrong.
Truth – firmness, stability, constancy, faithfulness, Conformity
to fact or reality, Veracity; purity from falsehood, Honesty; virtue, Real fact
of just principle; real state of things, Sincerity, God’s revealed will, Jesus
is called the truth.
Saul rejoiced in iniquity:
1Sa 23:19 Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah,
saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the
hill of Hachilah, which is on the south
of Jeshimon?
1Sa 23:20 Now therefore, O king, come down according to
all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king's hand.
1Sa 23:21 And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the LORD; for ye have compassion on me.
David refused to:
2Sa 4:10 When one told me, saying, Behold, Saul is
dead, thinking to have brought good tidings, I took hold of him, and slew him
in Ziklag, who thought that I would have
given him a reward for his tidings:
2Sa 4:11 How much more, when wicked men have slain a
righteous person in his own house upon his bed? shall I not therefore now
require his blood of your hand, and take you away from the earth?
2Sa 4:12 And David commanded his young men, and they
slew them, and cut off their hands and their feet, and hanged them up over the pool in Hebron. But they took
the head of Ishbosheth, and buried it in
the sepulchre of Abner in Hebron.
Rom 12:9 Let
love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which
is good.
Let your love be sincere: abhor evil
Evil
- G4190 πονηρός ponēros pon-ay-ros'
From a derivative of G4192;
hurtful, that is, evil (properly in effect or influence),
figuratively calamitous (producing
distress and misery); also (passively) ill, that is, diseased;
but especially (morally) culpable, that is, derelict, vicious,
facinorous (atrociously wicked); neuter (singular) mischief, malice,
or (plural) guilt; masculine (singular) the devil, or (plural) sinners:
- bad, evil, grievous, harm, lewd, malicious, wicked (-ness). See also G4191.
Cleave to good. Right
after telling us to cleave to good, the apostle tells us what is good:
Rom 12:10 Be
kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one
another;
Rom 12:11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit;
serving the Lord;
Rom 12:12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation;
continuing instant in prayer;
Rom 12:13 Distributing to the necessity of saints;
given to hospitality.
Rom 12:14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and
curse not.
Rom 12:15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep
with them that weep.
Rom 12:16 Be of
the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men
of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Rom 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide
things honest in the sight of all men.
Rom 12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you,
live peaceably with all men.
Rom 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written,
Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith
the Lord.
Rom 12:20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if
he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his
head.
Rom 12:21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil
with good.
What would love do?
Matthew Henry –
IX. The matter of its joy and pleasure is here suggested:
1. Negatively: It rejoiceth not in iniquity. It takes no pleasure in doing injury or hurt to any. It thinks not evil of any, without very clear proof. It wishes ill to none, much less will it hurt or wrong any, and least of all make this matter of its delight, rejoice in doing harm and mischief. Nor will it rejoice at the faults and failings of others, and triumph over them, either out of pride or ill-will, because it will set off its own excellences or gratify its spite. The sins of others are rather the grief of a charitable spirit than its sport or delight; they will touch it to the quick, and stir all its compassion, but give it no entertainment. It is the very height of malice to take pleasure in the misery of a fellow-creature. And is not falling into sin the greatest calamity that can befall one? How inconsistent is it with Christian charity, to rejoice at such fall!
2. Affirmatively: It rejoiceth in the truth, is glad of the success of the gospel, commonly called the truth, by way of emphasis, in the New Testament; and rejoices to see men moulded into an evangelical temper by it, and made good. It takes no pleasure in their sins, but is highly delighted to see them do well, to approve themselves men of probity and integrity. It gives it much satisfaction to see truth and justice prevail among men, innocency cleared, and mutual faith and trust established, and to see piety and true religion flourish.
IX. The matter of its joy and pleasure is here suggested:
1. Negatively: It rejoiceth not in iniquity. It takes no pleasure in doing injury or hurt to any. It thinks not evil of any, without very clear proof. It wishes ill to none, much less will it hurt or wrong any, and least of all make this matter of its delight, rejoice in doing harm and mischief. Nor will it rejoice at the faults and failings of others, and triumph over them, either out of pride or ill-will, because it will set off its own excellences or gratify its spite. The sins of others are rather the grief of a charitable spirit than its sport or delight; they will touch it to the quick, and stir all its compassion, but give it no entertainment. It is the very height of malice to take pleasure in the misery of a fellow-creature. And is not falling into sin the greatest calamity that can befall one? How inconsistent is it with Christian charity, to rejoice at such fall!
2. Affirmatively: It rejoiceth in the truth, is glad of the success of the gospel, commonly called the truth, by way of emphasis, in the New Testament; and rejoices to see men moulded into an evangelical temper by it, and made good. It takes no pleasure in their sins, but is highly delighted to see them do well, to approve themselves men of probity and integrity. It gives it much satisfaction to see truth and justice prevail among men, innocency cleared, and mutual faith and trust established, and to see piety and true religion flourish.
What would love do?
Bear all things.
Beareth - G4722 στέγω stegō steg'-o
From G4721;
to roof over, that is, (figuratively) to cover with silence (endure
patiently): - (for-) bear, suffer.
1Pe 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity
among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
Fervent charity means intense love. With fervent charity there is no petty
picking at the faults of others. There
is no unnecessary spreading of news that would put another in a bad light. How often do we talk about things that we did
mistakenly or without thinking? We are
to love each other as our self.
Son 8:6 Set me as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal
upon thine arm: for love is strong as
death; jealousy is cruel as the grave:
the coals thereof are coals of fire, which hath a most vehement flame.
Son 8:7 Many waters cannot quench love, neither can
the floods drown it: if a man would give
all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.
We need to have this intense love that is as strong as death
that will cover a fault that is not sin and will protect others as we would
like to be protected from having our faults revealed.
What will love do?
Matthew Henry - X. It beareth all things, it endureth all
things, panta stegei, panta hupomenei. Some read the first, covers all things.
So the original also signifies. Charity will cover a multitude of sins, 1Pe_4:8. It will draw a veil over them, as far
as it can consistently with duty. It is not for blazing nor publishing the
faults of a brother, till duty manifestly demands it. Necessity only can extort
this from the charitable mind. Though such a man be free to tell his brother
his faults in private, he is very unwilling to expose him by making them
public.
Thus we do by our own faults, and thus charity would teach us to do by the faults of others; not publish them to their shame and reproach, but cover them from public notice as long as we can, and be faithful to God and to others. Or, it beareth all things, - will pass by and put up with injuries, without indulging anger or cherishing revenge, will be patient upon provocation, and long patient, panta hupomenei - holds firm, though it be much shocked, and borne hard upon; sustains all manner of injury and ill usage, and bears up under it, such as curses, contumacies, slanders, prison, exile, bonds, torments, and death itself, for the sake of the injurious, and of others; and perseveres in this firmness.
Note, What a fortitude and firmness fervent love will give the mind!
Thus we do by our own faults, and thus charity would teach us to do by the faults of others; not publish them to their shame and reproach, but cover them from public notice as long as we can, and be faithful to God and to others. Or, it beareth all things, - will pass by and put up with injuries, without indulging anger or cherishing revenge, will be patient upon provocation, and long patient, panta hupomenei - holds firm, though it be much shocked, and borne hard upon; sustains all manner of injury and ill usage, and bears up under it, such as curses, contumacies, slanders, prison, exile, bonds, torments, and death itself, for the sake of the injurious, and of others; and perseveres in this firmness.
Note, What a fortitude and firmness fervent love will give the mind!
What will love do?
Believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Matthew Henry –
XI. Charity believes and hopes well of others: Believeth all things; hopeth all things. Indeed charity does by no means destroy prudence, and, out of mere simplicity and silliness, believe every word, Pro_14:15. Wisdom may dwell with love, and charity be cautious. But it is apt to believe well of all, to entertain a good opinion of them when there is no appearance to the contrary; nay, to believe well when there may be some dark appearances, if the evidence of ill be not clear.
All charity is full of candour, apt to make the best of every thing, and put on it the best face and appearance. It will judge well, and believe well, as far as it can with any reason, and will rather stretch its faith beyond appearances for the support of a kind opinion; but it will go into a bad one with the upmost reluctance, and fence against it as much as it fairly and honestly can. And when, in spite of inclination, it cannot believe well of others, it will yet hope well, and continue to hope as long as there is any ground for it. It will not presently conclude a case desperate, but wishes the amendment of the worst of men, and is very apt to hope for what it wishes.
How well-natured and amiable a thing is Christian charity? How lovely a mind is that which is tinctured throughout with such benevolence, and has it diffused over its whole frame! Happy the man who has this heavenly fire glowing in his heart, flowing out of his mouth, and diffusing its warmth over all with whom he has to do! How lovely a thing would Christianity appear to the world, if those who profess it were more actuated and animated by this divine principle, and paid a due regard to a command on which its blessed author laid a chief stress! A new commandment give I to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another, Joh_13:34. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, Joh_13:35. Blessed Jesus! how few of thy professed disciples are to be distinguished and marked out by this characteristic!
XI. Charity believes and hopes well of others: Believeth all things; hopeth all things. Indeed charity does by no means destroy prudence, and, out of mere simplicity and silliness, believe every word, Pro_14:15. Wisdom may dwell with love, and charity be cautious. But it is apt to believe well of all, to entertain a good opinion of them when there is no appearance to the contrary; nay, to believe well when there may be some dark appearances, if the evidence of ill be not clear.
All charity is full of candour, apt to make the best of every thing, and put on it the best face and appearance. It will judge well, and believe well, as far as it can with any reason, and will rather stretch its faith beyond appearances for the support of a kind opinion; but it will go into a bad one with the upmost reluctance, and fence against it as much as it fairly and honestly can. And when, in spite of inclination, it cannot believe well of others, it will yet hope well, and continue to hope as long as there is any ground for it. It will not presently conclude a case desperate, but wishes the amendment of the worst of men, and is very apt to hope for what it wishes.
How well-natured and amiable a thing is Christian charity? How lovely a mind is that which is tinctured throughout with such benevolence, and has it diffused over its whole frame! Happy the man who has this heavenly fire glowing in his heart, flowing out of his mouth, and diffusing its warmth over all with whom he has to do! How lovely a thing would Christianity appear to the world, if those who profess it were more actuated and animated by this divine principle, and paid a due regard to a command on which its blessed author laid a chief stress! A new commandment give I to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another, Joh_13:34. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, Joh_13:35. Blessed Jesus! how few of thy professed disciples are to be distinguished and marked out by this characteristic!
Rom 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love
of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
We receive the love of God through the Holy Spirit of
God. Love is a fruit of the Spirit.
Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Gal 5:23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is
no law.
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