Articles
Love Believes All Things
Love Believes All Things
By Paul R. Blake
“Love believes all things” (1Cor. 13:7). It believes good things about a brother until there is clear evidence, not clear suspicion, that we should not be bearing silently with him and believing all things. There is a difference between clear evidence and suspicion that merely seems clear to us. Barnes writes: “In regard to the conduct of others, there is the disposition to put the best construction on it.” When someone says or does something, we know and love that person to the extent that we’re going to spin his or her words and actions the best way we can. We are going to view it in the best light possible, rather than begin to doubt and wonder. We are going to believe that they are actuated by good motives; they meant well, regardless of how well they expressed or conducted themselves, because we know that they mean well and intend no injury.
“There is a willingness to suppose as far as can be that what is done is done consistently with friendship, good feeling, and virtue” (Barnes). We know that our brothers and sisters did this because we know them and believe the best in them regarding this matter; we know this because we love each other. Love produces this condition because it rejoices in the happiness and virtue of others. It doesn’t judge nor is it suspicious of the virtue of others. Because of our relationship in Christ, it assumes the virtuousness of others, rejoicing over it. John wrote: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3John 4).
We rejoice that our fellow disciples are our fellow disciples. This joy enhances our love for them, enabling us to say: “They have the very best motives at heart; they are doing their best; they are doing this because of the goodness of our relationship.” And, we will not believe the contrary about them without irrefutable evidence. Love believes all things.
The Citizen of Zion
By Bubba Garner
“Lord, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill? He who walks uprightly, and works righteousness, and speaks the truth in his heart; he who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, nor does he take up a reproach against his friend; in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but he honors those who fear the Lord; he who swears to his own hurt and does not change; he who does not put out his money at usury, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved” (Psalm 15).
So much is said in the Psalms about the blessings and privileges that are granted to the righteous man. Psalm 15 describes and defines who the righteous man is. David begins with a question, “Who may abide in Thy tent” and “dwell on Thy holy hill?” Abide and dwell suggest that he is not interested in just passing through. He is looking for permanent residence in the presence of God, citizenship in Zion. Several characteristics are listed, but they all stem from the three qualities in verse 2.
1) WHAT A MAN IS. He who “walks with integrity.” Walking is stable, consistent, and constant; it is running neither behind nor ahead. To walk with integrity (like the word integer) is to go through life as a whole, complete person, without any artificial parts or components.
2) WHAT A MAN DOES. He who “works righteousness.” Because of his inward desire for integrity, his outward deeds follow suit. “There is a way which seems right” (Prov. 14:12) to many men. But the citizen of Zion is not interested in doing what seems right; he’s interested in doing what is right.
3) WHAT A MAN SAYS. He who “speaks the truth in his heart.” It is no coincidence that proper use of the tongue is required to be at home with God. His heart is true to his words; he does not say one thing and mean another. “He who does these things will never be shaken” (vs. 5). That promise is as sure as the throne of God.
Diary of a Bible
January: A busy time for me. Most of the family decided to read me through this year. They kept me busy for the first two weeks, but they have forgotten me now.
February: Clean-up time. I was dusted yesterday and put in my place. My owners did use me for a few minutes last week. They had been in an argument and were looking up some references to prove they were right.
March: I had a busy day the first of the month. My owner was elected president of the PTA., and used me to prepare a speech.
April: Grandpa visited us this month. He kept me on his lap reading for about an hour each day. He seems to think more of me than some people in my household.
May: I have a few green stains on my pages. Some spring flowers were pressed in my pages.
June: I look like a scrapbook. They have stuffed me full of newspaper clippings; one of the girls was married.
July: They put me in a suitcase today. I guess we're off on vacation. I wish I could stay home; I know I'll be closed up in this thing for at least two weeks.
August: Still in the suitcase.
September: Back home at last and in my old familiar place. I have a lot of company. Two magazines and four comic books are stacked on top of me. I wish I could be read as much as they are.
October: They read me a little today. One of them is very sick. Right now I am sitting in the center of the coffee table. I think the preacher is coming by for a visit.
November: Back in my old place. Somebody asked today if I were a scrapbook.
December: The family is busy getting ready for the holidays. I guess I will be covered up under wrapping paper and packages again; just as I am every Christmas.
A Moments Wisdom
--When sculptor Thorwaldson was asked by a patron, “Which is your greatest statue,” he replied, “The next one.”
--Before you go to sleep, say to yourself, “I haven’t reached my goal yet, whatever it is, and I’m going to be uncomfortable and in a degree unhappy until I do.”
--Astronomer Dr. James Van Allen hasn’t the two regular “In” and “Out” mail trays on his desk. Instead he has four marked “Frantic,” “Urgent,” “Pressing” and “Overdue.”
--One person with a belief is equal to a force of 99 who only have interest.
--A fanatic is one who can’t change his mind and won’t change the subject.
--An effective preacher was once asked how he got the crowds. He replied, “I set myself on fire, and the people come to see me burn.”
--“I have found,” David Livingstone early wrote in his diary, “That I have no unusual endowments of intellect, but I this day resolved that I would be an uncommon Christian.
Upcoming Sermons
11/26/23 AM - “By Your Patience, Possess Your Souls”; PM - “But, I Want It Now!”
12/3/23 AM - Appointing Scriptural Elders and Deacons, Lesson One; PM - Worship in Song: A Firm Foundation
12/10/23 AM & PM - Appointing Scriptural Elders and Deacons, Lessons Two & Three
12/17/23 AM - Appointing Scriptural Elders and Deacons, Lessons Four & Five
12/24/23 AM - “Baptism: Not the Removal…”; PM - “When People Bring Up Your Past, Tell Them Jesus Dropped the Charges.” (Requested)
12/31/23 AM - Agents of Salvation; PM - Guest Speaker
