TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
James 5:7-12

“Charity… believeth all things, hopeth
all things, endureth all things.”

WHAT IS LOVE? (X)

The last three qualities of love are closely connected.

“Charity … believeth all things” points to a man who will consider true all things as revealed in the Word of God (Khoo). He does not doubt God’s Word, nor will he criticise the Scriptures, but will humbly receive all that he has been taught from the Bible. He will not have the forked tongue of the serpent who casted doubt on God’s Word in the Garden of Eden: “Yea, hath God said?” (Gen 3:1). Instead, he will gladly proclaim, “God says it. That settles it. I believe it.”

“Charity … hopeth all things.” Because the one who loves believes in God’s every word and is firmly grounded on His Word, he is assured of the heavenly hope he has in Christ Jesus. And therefore he looks forward expectantly to the return of his Lord and Saviour.

A Christian who “hopeth all things” will not be spiritually sleepy, but is sober and constantly watching (1 Thess 5:6; 1 Pet 4:7). He will set his affections on things above, and not on things of this earth (Col 3:1-2). He will long for Christ to come quickly, for he loves his Saviour (Rev 22:20). What about you?

“Charity … endureth all things.” Because the Christian knows that Christ is coming soon, he is most willing to endure sufferings for Christ’s sake. The verb “endureth” (hupomonē) refers to super-endurance under difficult circumstances. We must expect trials and tribulations in this sin-sick world, but our hope in our Saviour will help us to be “stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1 Cor 15:58).

“Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh” (James 5:8).

THOUGHT: God says it. That settles it. I believe it.
PRAYER: Father, grant me a faith that always looks to Thee.