Love - Lesson 12: Conclusion

Love

Lesson 12: Conclusion

1 John 4:10-11 [10] In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another.

The Main Points for This Lesson:

This series of lessons centers around love as seen in chapter 13 of the apostle Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians. The purpose of these lessons is to teach about love: love's importance; what love looks like lived out, including what it is and what it isn't, and what it does and what it doesn't do; love's greatness.

This lesson is the conclusion of these lessons on love as seen in 1 Corinthians 13. The goal of this lesson is to review the three main thoughts about love we have looked at in this series of lessons.

Love is important. It is good to speak the truth. It is good to prophesy, to understand mysteries and knowledge, to have great faith. It is good to give you possessions and even your body to those in need. While these things are good, and may bring good to others, it is possible to do them while not having love, that is, while not loving your neighbor as yourself. If we do good things but don't have love, before God we will be nothing, and gain no eternal things. Love must be included in all these good things if we want to hear God say on the last day, Well done, good and faithful servant.

Love is real and practical. The love commanded by God is real and practical. It is not first a warm feeling or emotion. (That is not to say that emotions will not follow love.) Love is purposefully seeking the good of others, caring for others in real ways. Love is treating others the way we want to be treated. Love is seen and shown through our thoughts, words and deeds toward others.

Love is greater than all else. Many good things may help us and teach us to love others. Many other good things may be done as a result of loving others. Love is the goal. The goal of the commandment and teaching is love. What counts before God? It is not prophesying, or speaking in tongues, or possessing spiritual knowledge. What counts before God above all else is love. Do you and I love God and love our neighbor as ourselves?

God has loved us with this kind of love. He commands us to love one another just as he loved us.

Suggestions:

To open the lesson, pray for the teacher and the students.

Let the children know that we are now having some lessons on 1 Corinthians 13, about love. While 1 Corinthians 13 is not the only place God teaches us about love, it provides a very helpful, practical, and (perhaps) easily understood description of love.

This is the last lesson on 1 Corinthians 13. In this lesson we will review the things we have already learned about love.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-3. Ask the children some questions. What is the most important thing in these verses? (Love.) Are the other things mentioned, such as prophesying, having faith or giving alms, good or bad? (Good.) They are either gifts from God or are commanded by him. What must we have along with these things if we want to hear God say to us, Well done? (Love.) Remind them of the story of Balaam and how he prophesied. Did Balaam have love along with his prophesying? (No.) Was his prophecy true? (Yes.) But what happened to Balaam in the end? (He was killed along with the enemies of God's people.)

Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Ask the children some questions. Would you describe love more like a feeling and emotion, or would you describe it more like an action? (Action.) Why would you describe it that way? (Love is patient and kind. It does not do certain things and does do other things.) Remind them of the story of the good Samaritan. How many men saw the man on the side of the road who had been robbed and left for dead? (Three men.) Who stopped and helped the man? (The Samaritan man.) Who loved the man? (The Samaritan.) Why do you think he loved the man? (Because he stopped and helped the man.) Love is real and practical.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:8-13. Ask the children some questions. What is the greatest thing? (Love.) Will prophesying, speaking in tongues, and having knowledge (that perhaps others don't) last forever? (No.) Those things will one day pass away and be unnecessary. What won't pass away and be unnecessary? (Love.) Someone asked Jesus about which commandment is the greatest commandment. What did he say? (Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.)

Read 1 John 4:10-11. Ask the children some questions. Do you think God has loved us? (Yes.) How has he loved us? (He send his son to die for us, because we have disobeyed him and deserve to die ourselves.) If God has loved us in this way, what should we do? (We should love one another just as God has loved us.)

To close the lesson, pray with the children (perhaps asking God's help to love one another just as he has loved us), and have all the children read the Lord's prayer together.

Stories:

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 [1] If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. [3] If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.

[4] Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, [5] doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; [6] doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

[8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; [10] but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. [11] When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. [12] For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. [13] But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.

Importance of love

Numbers 22-24;31:8,16 – Balaam prophesying while wanting really only to get money for cursing the Israelites

1 Samuel 19:18-24 – King Saul prophesying while wanting to kill David

Love is real and practical

Luke 10:25-37 – Good Samaritan helped the man in need. The other two men did not. Who loved the man in need, who was a neighbor to him?

Love is the greatest

Mark 12:28-34 – Which commandment is the greatest of all?

More Stories and Examples:

[see Love - Lesson 2: The Importance of Love for more stories related to the importance of love.]

Other Verses:

John 3:16-17 [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. [17] For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.

1 John 4:7-12 [7] Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God. [8] He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love. [9] By this God’s love was revealed in us, that God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. [10] In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another. [12] No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us.

Love - Lesson 11: Love Never Fails

Love

Lesson 11: Love Never Fails

1 Corinthians 13:8-13 [8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; [10] but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. [11] When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. [12] For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. [13] But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.

1 Timothy 1:5 but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith;

The Main Points for This Lesson:

This series of lessons will center around love as seen in chapter 13 of the apostle Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians. The purpose of these lessons is to teach about love: love's importance; what love looks like lived out, including what it is and what it isn't, and what it does and what it doesn't do; love's greatness.

In the previous lessons, we have considered love's importance and what love lived out looks like (and doesn't look like). Now we will consider love's greatness.

Love is great. We will limit such a grand subject to three main thoughts. Love never fails. Love is the goal. The greatest of the greats is love.

Love never fails. Love never becomes unnecessary or useless. It is never set aside as no longer part of God's plan and kingdom. God has given many good things to his people, such as prophecy, speaking in tongues, and knowledge. These things will end or be done away with one day. Love never fails. When God's people no longer need prophecy to help and encourage us on the way, we will and must still walk in love.

Love is the goal. Love is the aim or end to which we are heading. Many other good things help us along the way, but they are not the goal. They help us to reach the goal. The apostle Paul wrote that the goal of the instruction or command is love.

Examples of the goal and things that help us reach the goal. Training wheels on a bike help a child learn to ride, but they are not the goal. The goal is to ride with only two wheels. Though training wheels are helpful, one day they will be removed and set aside, and never used again. Prophecy, casting out demons and mighty works are good things, but they are not the goal. They can help men to reach the goal (which is love), but they themselves are not the goal. Many will come to Jesus on the judgment, men who have prophesied, cast out demons, and done mighty works in his name. They will be cast away from his presence because while they possessed these things, they did not have the goal. They held onto sin instead of loving God and loving their neighbor.

The greatest of the greats is love. Faith, hope and love are the greats. Among God's people and among various parts of the church you may find prophecy, or speaking in tongues, or knowledge. You may find mighty works done in this place and in that among the children of God. However, in the heart of every Christian, in every part of Christ's body, the church, you should find faith, hope and love. Now faith, hope and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Let us learn and be diligent to pursue love, to put on love, to walk in love.

Suggestions:

To open the lesson, pray for the teacher and the students.

Let the children know that we are having some lessons on 1 Corinthians 13, about love. While 1 Corinthians 13 is not the only place God teaches us about love, it provides a very helpful, practical, and (perhaps) easily understood description of love.

In this lesson, we will learn about the greatness of love. The greatness of love is the focus of this lesson.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:8-13. Help the children to understand that love is the goal while other things help us to that goal. Use the example of training wheels on a bicycle. Ask the children if any of them used training wheels. Do they still use them? If they don't, ask them why not. (Because you are supposed to ride the bike without training wheels.) Help them to see that just like riding the bike with two wheels is the goal, so love (loving our neighbor) is the goal. Other things, like prophecy and knowledge, can help us reach that goal, but they are not the goal. Love is.

Read the story in Mark 12:28-34. Ask the children questions related to this story. What did Jesus say was the greatest commandment? (Love God and love your neighbor.) What did the scribe say after Jesus said this? (To love God and to love your neighbor is more important that all sacrifices.) Did Jesus agree with this? (Yes.)

Ask the children one last question. We have learned many things in all the lessons that we have had. If you had to pick the most important thing to learn about and obey, what would it be? (Love: love God and love your neighbor as yourself.)

To close the lesson, pray with the children (perhaps asking God's help to see how important and great love is, and to learn to pursue love), and have all the children read the Lord's prayer together.

Stories:

Mark 12:28-34 [28] One of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together. Knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?” [29] Jesus answered, “The greatest is, ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one: [30] you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. [31] The second is like this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” [32] The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he, [33] and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” [34] When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” No one dared ask him any question after that.

More Stories and Examples:

Luke 10:25-28 [25] Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” [26] He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” [27] He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” [28] He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.”

Illustrations of love being the goal and other things being a temporary help to that goal:

Training wheels on a bike – They are helpful when learning, but you do not use them forever. They are not the goal. The goal is to ride with two wheels.

Baby talk – It is good when a baby starts to babble and talk baby talk. This is the path to the goal. However, the goal is to speak normally.

Baby mobile for crib – They are good for babies. They are entertaining, and perhaps even useful in helping them improve sight and coordination. They are not the goal. Eventually you grow up. I do not know any adults who have a mobile above their bed.

Sacrifices in the Old Testament – They are not the goal. They are many good and wonderful things, including a picture of Jesus' complete and final sacrifice. The sacrifices were not the goal. They were given to help us on toward the goal, which is love. Hence, Jesus confirmed the words of the scribe who said that to love God and to love your neighbor is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

Miracles, mighty works, prophecy – They can be helpful, but they are not the goal. Many who perform them will be cast out of the presence of Jesus, because they did not have the goal, love.

Knowledge – It can be very helpful, but the goal is love. Knowledge without goal of love is worthless to possessor. If fact, without love, knowledge can do the opposite by puffing up in pride the one with knowledge.

Other Verses:

THE GREATEST OF THESE IS LOVE

Leviticus 19:18 “‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Yahweh.

Leviticus 19:33-34 [33] “‘If a stranger lives as a foreigner with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. [34] The stranger who lives as a foreigner with you shall be to you as the native-born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you lived as foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am Yahweh your God.

Matthew 22:34-40 [34] But the Pharisees, when they heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, gathered themselves together. [35] One of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, testing him. [36] “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” [37] Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ [38] This is the first and great commandment. [39] A second likewise is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ [40] The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments.”

Mark 12:28-34 [28] One of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together. Knowing that he had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?” [29] Jesus answered, “The greatest is, ‘Hear, Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one: [30] you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. [31] The second is like this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” [32] The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he, [33] and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” [34] When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the Kingdom of God.” No one dared ask him any question after that.

Luke 10:25-37 [25] Behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” [26] He said to him, “What is written in the law? How do you read it?” [27] He answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” [28] He said to him, “You have answered correctly. Do this, and you will live.” [29] But he, desiring to justify himself, asked Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” [30] Jesus answered, “A certain man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who both stripped him and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. [31] By chance a certain priest was going down that way. When he saw him, he passed by on the other side. [32] In the same way a Levite also, when he came to the place, and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33] But a certain Samaritan, as he traveled, came where he was. When he saw him, he was moved with compassion, [34] came to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. He set him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. [35] On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, and gave them to the host, and said to him, ‘Take care of him. Whatever you spend beyond that, I will repay you when I return.’ [36] Now which of these three do you think seemed to be a neighbor to him who fell among the robbers?” [37] He said, “He who showed mercy on him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.”

Luke 11:42 But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and every herb, but you bypass justice and the love of God. You ought to have done these, and not to have left the other undone.

John 13:34-35 [34] A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just like I have loved you; that you also love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

It is nothing else and nothing less than a practical love for one another that is the defining mark of Jesus' disciples.

Romans 13:8-10 [8] Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. [9] For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commandments there are, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [10] Love doesn’t harm a neighbor. Love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 [13] Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong! [14] Let all that you do be done in love.

Galatians 5:13-14 [13] For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom for gain to the flesh, but through love be servants to one another. [14] For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Colossians 3:12-14 [12] Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; [13] bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. [14] Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

1 Timothy 1:5-6 [5] but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith; [6] from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned aside to vain talking;

James 2:8 However, if you fulfill the royal law, according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well.

1 Peter 4:7-8 [7] But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer. [8] And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.

2 Peter 1:5-11 [5] Yes, and for this very cause adding on your part all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence; and in moral excellence, knowledge; [6] and in knowledge, self-control; and in self-control patience; and in patience godliness; [7] and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love. [8] For if these things are yours and abound, they make you to be not idle nor unfruitful to the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. [9] For he who lacks these things is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins. [10] Therefore, brothers, be more diligent to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never stumble. [11] For thus you will be richly supplied with the entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

1 John 4:7-12 [7] Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God. [8] He who doesn’t love doesn’t know God, for God is love. [9] By this God’s love was revealed in us, that God has sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. [10] In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. [11] Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another. [12] No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God remains in us, and his love has been perfected in us.

1 John 4:21 This commandment we have from him, that he who loves God should also love his brother.

2 John 1:4-6 [4] I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father. [5] Now I beg you, dear lady, not as though I wrote to you a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. [6] This is love, that we should walk according to his commandments. This is the commandment, even as you heard from the beginning, that you should walk in it.

LOVE LIKE GOD LOVES

Matthew 5:43-48 [43] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. [46] For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? [47] If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don’t even the tax collectors do the same? [48] Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Love - Lesson 10: Love Lived Out (8) – Bears All Things, Believes All Things, Hopes All Things, Endures All Things

Love

Lesson 10: Love Lived Out (8) – Bears All Things, Believes All Things, Hopes All Things, Endures All Things

1 Corinthians 13:7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

The Main Points for This Lesson:

This series of lessons will center around love as seen in chapter 13 of the apostle Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians. The purpose of these lessons is to teach about love: love's importance; what love looks like lived out, including what it is and what it isn't, and what it does and what it doesn't do; love's greatness.

In previous lessons we have seen that love is patient and love is kind. We have also been looking at what love is not and does not: Love doesn’t envy; Love doesn’t brag; Love is not proud; It doesn't behave itself inappropriately; It doesn't seek its own way; Love is not provoked; It takes no account of evil; Love doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. In this lesson we will continue this by considering that love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. These items are not separate and unconnected. It seems that in some way or another each item affects another.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. While each of the items in this verse have a particular meaning, in this lesson, we will consider them first (and foremost) as expressing one characteristic about love. The main thought is this: Love patiently and faithfully seeks the good of others (particularly sinful men) with a long term view in mind. It could also be said, Love is in it for the long haul.

How is this idea different from the statement that love is patient? In some way they are the same, or at least similar. Patience includes endurance. With patience, we picture enduring difficulties, especially those caused by others, while responding with meekness (gentleness).

Positive and/or proactive. Patience is good. It is a foundation of love. The apostle Paul adds more to patience. It is good to meekly endure another person with their troubles. When we read that love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, we are encouraged to grow in our love for others. We can begin to have a long term view for the other person as we patiently and faithfully seek their good. This includes patience, but it is patience with something more. It sees the person with all their problems and sins, but also looks at what they can be, either with repentance, or in time with help. While by birth it is a shadow of God's love, it is this love that parents have for their children. A parent endures the ups and downs of their child, while looking at what they can become.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. So this love bears with the problems and difficulties of the other person. It believes in the forgiveness of sins, and is willing to trust the other when God says we should. It hopes for the good of the other person and what they can be, even when surrounded by the troubles of the other person. It endures with the other person. It does not give up, but continues to work with and help the other person through the ups and downs.

This love as applied toward others. We find that we do not change overnight. Even with a true repentance and diligence, change takes time. We take steps forward and steps backward. Who will help us along the way? Some people may be patient with us for one moment along the way. Who will patiently help us all along the way, with our forward and backward steps, with our setbacks and frustrations? Only a love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things will help bring others out of their darkness into God's light. God has such a love for us. It was seen in his Son, Jesus Christ. He commands us to have such a love for others.

Suggestions:

To open the lesson, pray for the teacher and the students.

Let the children know that we are having some lessons on 1 Corinthians 13, about love. While 1 Corinthians 13 is not the only place God teaches us about love, it provides a very helpful, practical, and (perhaps) easily understood description of love.

In this lesson, we will learn about what love looks like lived out in our lives.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:7. Love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things,” is the focus of this lesson.

Explain that this verse (1 Corinthians 13:7) means something similar to patience. Ask the children if they can explain to you what patience is, and if they have any examples.

Ask the children if anyone has been patient with them over a long time. Has anyone helped them for many years? Help them to think of their parents (if they haven't already). Explain simply how parents care for their children for a long time, (partly) because they have a long-term view. They help you now to become something more as you grow up. God has such a love for us, and we (by God's help and Holy Spirit) can learn to have such a love for others.

This lesson does not have one or two single stories to illustrate this idea. Rather, several stories are listed in the story section. You can mention each story, and see if the children can fill in the details of them. As they fill in the details, help them to see how God shows this love toward us sinful men (Genesis 3:21; 6:5-8). Help them to see how God's children have also shown this love to others (Samuel, Elijah, Jeremiah, Barnabas).

Finally, ask the children if there is anyone they see day after day. (Brothers and sisters, classmates.) Do these people ever cause you trouble? (Most likely yes.) Point them to God's love for us, how God bears, believes, hopes and endures all things. Encourage them to love the people they see day after day with this type of love.

To close the lesson, pray with the children (perhaps asking God's help to love others faithfully and not give up), and have all the children read the Lord's prayer together. 

Stories:

Genesis 3:21

Adam and Eve disobeyed God, even believing that he was lying to them. God does introduce consequences, including death, as a result of this. Yet he is not done with the relationship. He clothes his rebellious creation with skins from an animal.

Genesis 6:5-8

Man, God's creation, has become so wicked that God is sorry he made man. Yet we find that God is not done with his relationship with man. Noah finds favor in his sight. God looks to a time beyond the flood, and even looks to a time far beyond that time with man in mind.

1 Samuel 12:16-25

The people wanted a king. Samuel felt rejected by the people, as he had been their judge, their leader. God had ruled as their king from heaven. Yet the people wanted something else. In these verses we see the love of Samuel for God's people. Though they had in a sense rejected him, yet he did not forsake them, but continued to care for them through his prayers and through his exhortations.

1 Kings 18:20-21

Elijah has seen many people of Israel follow after the idol Baal. Here we see that Elijah has not given up, he has not cast aside the children of Israel as hopeless and worthless. He longs for them to return to the Lord, and so continues to work toward that end.

Jeremiah 38:14-23

Some men of Jerusalem had just tried to kill Jeremiah. King Zedekiah had made no attempt to stop them (though he did allow others to rescue Jeremiah). Though he was mistreated and persecuted by the people, Jeremiah did not forsake them. Over and over he spoke to them, exhorting them, longing for them to walk in the ways of the Lord, the only path of peace. He had a love that bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things.

Acts 15:36-39

John Mark had deserted Barnabas and Paul during their first missionary journey (Acts 13:13). Barnabas was not willing to give up on John Mark. He wanted to take him on their second journey. It seems that Barnabas, in his relationship with John Mark, was looking much further down the road with a love that bears, believes, hopes and endures all things. It seems that Barnabas' love bore fruit, for John Mark was later found in the service of both the apostle Peter (1 Peter 5:13) and the apostle Paul (2 Timothy 4:11).

More Stories and Examples:

Luke 9:37-42 [37] On the next day, when they had come down from the mountain, a great multitude met him. [38] Behold, a man from the crowd called out, saying, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child. [39] Behold, a spirit takes him, he suddenly cries out, and it convulses him so that he foams, and it hardly departs from him, bruising him severely. [40] I begged your disciples to cast it out, and they couldn’t.” [41] Jesus answered, “Faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you and bear with you? Bring your son here.” [42] While he was still coming, the demon threw him down and convulsed him violently. But Jesus rebuked the unclean spirit, and healed the boy, and gave him back to his father.

Other Verses:

Psalm 103:13-14 [13] Like a father has compassion on his children, so Yahweh has compassion on those who fear him. [14] For he knows how we are made. He remembers that we are dust.

Proverbs 3:11-12 [11] My son, don’t despise Yahweh’s discipline, neither be weary of his reproof: [12] for whom Yahweh loves, he reproves; even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.

Galatians 4:3-5 [3] So we also, when we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental principles of the world. [4] But when the fullness of the time came, God sent out his Son, born to a woman, born under the law, [5] that he might redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of children.

BEARS ALL THINGS

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs.

Galatians 6:1-2 [1] Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted. [2] Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

Colossians 3:12-14 [12] Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; [13] bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do. [14] Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

1 Peter 4:7-9 [7] But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer. [8] And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins. [9] Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.

BELIEVES ALL THINGS

Matthew 19:23-26 [23] Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty. [24] Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.” [25] When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” [26] Looking at them, Jesus said, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

[see also Mark 10:23-27; Luke 18:24-27]

HOPES ALL THINGS

Hebrews 12:4-11 [4] You have not yet resisted to blood, striving against sin; [5] and you have forgotten the exhortation which reasons with you as with children, “My son, don’t take lightly the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when you are reproved by him; [6] For whom the Lord loves, he chastens, and scourges every son whom he receives.” [7] It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with children, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline? [8] But if you are without discipline, of which all have been made partakers, then are you illegitimate, and not children. [9] Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? [10] For they indeed, for a few days, punished us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. [11] All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised thereby.

Our Father in heaven has a long-term view as he raises us, his children.

Commentaries:

[*Gill*] 1 Corinthians 13:7

Beareth all things,

The burdens of fellow Christians, and so fulfils the law of Christ, which is the law of love; the infirmities of weak believers, and the reproaches and persecutions of the world: or "covers all things", as it may be rendered, even a multitude of sins, as charity is said to do, 1Pe 4:8 not by conniving at them, or suffering them to be upon a brother; but having privately and faithfully reproved for them, and the offender being brought to a sense and acknowledgment of them, he freely forgives them as trespasses against him, covers them with the mantle of love, and industriously hides and conceals them from others;

believeth all things;

that are to be believed, all that God says in his word, all his truths, and all his promises; and even sometimes in hope against hope, as Abraham did, relying upon the power, faithfulness, and other perfections of God; though such a man will not believe every spirit, every preacher and teacher, nor any but such as agree with the Scriptures of truth, the standard of faith and practice; nor will he believe every word of man, which is the character of a weak and foolish man; indeed, a man of charity or love is willing to believe all the good things reported of men; he is very credulous of such things, and is unwilling to believe ill reports of persons, or any ill of men; unless it is open and glaring, and is well supported, and there is full evidence of it; he is very incredulous in this respect:

hopes all things;

that are to be hoped for; hopes for the accomplishment of all the promises of God; hopes for the enjoyment of him in his house and ordinances; hopes for things that are not seen, that are future, difficult, though possible to be enjoyed: hopes for heaven and eternal happiness, for more grace here and glory hereafter; hopes the best of all men, of all professors of religion, even of wicked men, that they may be better and brought to repentance, and of fallen professors, who declare their repentance, and make their acknowledgments; he hopes well of them, that they are sincere, and all is right and will appear so:

endureth all things;

that are disagreeable to the flesh; all afflictions, tribulations, temptations, persecutions, and death itself, for the elect's sake, for the sake of the Gospel, and especially for the sake of Christ Jesus.9

Love - Lesson 9: Love Lived Out (7) – Doesn't Rejoice in Unrighteousness, But Rejoices With the Truth

Love

Lesson 9: Love Lived Out (7) – Doesn't Rejoice in Unrighteousness, But Rejoices With the Truth

1 Corinthians 13:6 doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;

Romans 2:8 but to those who are self-seeking, and don’t obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will be wrath and indignation,

3 John 1:4 I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.

The Main Points for This Lesson:

This series of lessons will center around love as seen in chapter 13 of the apostle Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians. The purpose of these lessons is to teach about love: love's importance; what love looks like lived out, including what it is and what it isn't, and what it does and what it doesn't do; love's greatness.

In previous lessons we have seen that love is patient and love is kind. We have also been looking at what love is not and does not: Love doesn’t envy; Love doesn’t brag; Love is not proud; It doesn't behave itself inappropriately; It doesn't seek its own way; Love is not provoked; And takes no account of evil. In this lesson we will continue this by considering that love doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. These items are not separate and unconnected. It seems that in some way or another each item affects another.

Love doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness. Unrighteousness is that which is evil, wrong, brings harm to someone, and especially is against God's good and righteous law. To rejoice in unrighteousness is to be glad about what is unrighteous. We may rejoice in unrighteousness in ourselves, or in others, or both.

Rejoicing in unrighteousness in ourselves. We may rejoice in our own unrighteous behavior or choices, being glad about it, not showing any repentance about it. We may find pleasure in thinking about evil and sinful things, even if we would not carry them out. Some may do this from pride. It is certainly inappropriate behavior. Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness. Love does not delight in thinking upon or doing what is wrong and sinful. Love rejoices with the truth.

Rejoicing in unrighteousness in others. We may rejoice in unrighteousness that other do or that is done to others. Perhaps we would never do such a thing ourselves, but we think it is exciting, or entertaining, that someone has done it. We may rejoice when someone else does wrong because we want that person to be hurt, and we think their doing wrong will bring harm to themselves (see Jonah 3-4). If another person doing wrong makes us appear better, or brings about some benefit to us, then we may rejoice in that as well, as the men who murdered Ishbosheth thought David would rejoice over the news of their crime. Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness. It does not delight in doing wrong itself, nor in seeing others doing wrong, or being harmed.

Love rejoices with the truth. The truth, in this context, can be understood to be that which is right and good, that which brings good to someone. The truth can be obeyed (Romans 2:8), and is something in which we can walk (3 John 1:4). The truth makes us free. What does it mean to rejoice with the truth? What things keep us from rejoicing with the truth?

What does it mean to rejoice with the truth? When we find pleasure in thinking about what is pure and right and good, we are rejoicing with the truth, as the man who speaks truth in his heart (Psalm 15:2). When we walk in the truth, obeying the good and righteous laws of God (and so obeying God himself) from a sincere heart, we are rejoicing with the truth. Love rejoices with the truth.

This love finds happiness in obeying the truth, but it does not stop there (or it is not love). Love finds equal joy in others obeying the truth (3 John 1:4). The father of the prodigal son rejoiced in the repentance and return of his younger son because he had such a love. Love rejoices when good is done, no matter who does the good. Love rejoices with the truth.

What things keep us from rejoicing with the truth? Pride, self-seeking, hate, fear. These and more may keep us from rejoicing with the truth. All of them are things found within our own hearts and minds. Hatred toward another person will keep us from rejoicing in their repentance and return to God (Jonah 4:1-3). Pride and self-seeking in our hearts will keep us from rejoicing in the good deeds that another person did (Mark 9:38-40), because we are not the center of attention, and so cannot be happy. Even fear of personal loss may keep us from rejoicing with the truth, as King Saul could not rejoice in the good deeds of David, because he feared the loss of his kingdom. The truth is not always easy or pleasant on its face, but for those who obey the truth and walk in it, it always sets them free.

Love doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. God has shown such a love toward us. Let us learn to put aside pride and self-seeking, and let us learn to put on a love without hypocrisy, that does not rejoice in unrighteousness in any way or form, but rejoices with the truth.

Suggestions:

To open the lesson, pray for the teacher and the students.

Let the children know that we are having some lessons on 1 Corinthians 13, about love. While 1 Corinthians 13 is not the only place God teaches us about love, it provides a very helpful, practical, and (perhaps) easily understood description of love.

In this lesson, we will learn about what love looks like lived out in our lives.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:6. Love “doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth,” is the focus of this lesson.

Ask the children if they know what it means to rejoice. (To be happy or glad or excited about something.)

Ask the children what unrighteousness is. Help them to understand that at its simplest, it is what is bad or wrong.

Ask the children what they think the truth means then. They can understand it to mean simply what is good and right.

Explain to them that love isn't glad or happy about what is wrong or bad, but is happy about what is good and right. Tell them you will read to them (or tell them) two stories. Ask them to listen and tell you if the people in the stories rejoiced with the truth or if they rejoiced in unrighteousness.

Read or tell the story in Jonah 3:1-4:11. (You can shorten it to Jonah 3:1-4:2 if need be.) Make sure they understand that the people of Nineveh were wicked, but that they repented of their sin and obeyed the truth. Emphasize Jonah's response to this. Ask the children about Jonah. Did he rejoice in unrighteousness or rejoice with the truth? (He rejoiced in unrighteousness.) How did he do that? (By wishing the people had remained in their wickedness, so that God would destroy them.)

Read or tell the story in 2 Samuel 1:1-27 about David hearing of the death of King Saul. Before getting into the story, remind the children that David had been anointed king some years before. Also remind them that King Saul had tried many times to kill David. As you tell the story, ask the children questions. What do you think the Amalekite thought David would do when he told him the news of Saul's death? (He thought David would rejoice that Saul was dead.) What did David do when he heard the news? (He was sad, and was not happy about King Saul's death, or that this man had helped to kill him.) Did David spend time thinking about all the bad things King Saul had done to him? (No, he remembered the good things King Saul and Jonathan had done.) Did David rejoice in unrighteousness, or did he rejoice with the truth? (He rejoiced with the truth.)

Ask the children about themselves in relation to this. Have they even been glad to hear that someone they were angry with was hurt? That is rejoicing in unrighteousness. What should we do instead?

To close the lesson, pray with the children (perhaps asking God's help to love what is good both for ourselves and for others), and have all the children read the Lord's prayer together.

Stories:

2 Samuel 1:1-27

After the death of King Saul, an Amalekite told David that he had killed King Saul. Whether it was true or not, he thought this would be good news to David. Years before this, David had been anointed by the prophet Samuel to be the next king. King Saul had more than once tried to David to kill him. In light of all this, David does not rejoice at the death of King Saul. He does not rejoice in this man who claimed to have a hand in Saul's death. Instead, David and those with him mourned. Further, David rejoiced in the good things of King Saul and his son Jonathan. In this story, we see that David did not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoiced with the truth.

Jonah 3:1-4:11

Jonah went to Nineveh and preached to the people there. They listened to Jonah's warning, humbled themselves and repented of their sin. Jonah was unhappy about this. He wanted the people of Nineveh to continue in their wicked ways so that God would destroy them. Jonah rejoiced in the unrighteousness of the Ninevites (which would lead to their destruction) and did not rejoice when they began to obey the truth (through which they found mercy from God). On the other hand, we see that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked would repent and live (Ezekiel 18:23,32;33:11). God did not rejoice in the unrighteousness and destruction of the Ninevites. Instead, he rejoiced in their obedience of the truth.

More Stories and Examples:

Numbers 11:24-30

This is the story of Joshua being jealous for Moses' sake. In principle, it is similar to the story of Mark 9:38-40 (see also Luke 9:49-50). Joshua was unhappy upon hearing that two men, who were not Moses, were prophesying in the camp. He was still learning to rejoice with the truth. However, when Moses heard, he wished that all God's people were prophets and the God would put his Spirit on them all. Moses knew of the love that did not seek its own, but rejoices with the truth, regardless of whether or not it was connected to himself.

2 Samuel 4:5-12

Two men murdered Ishbosheth and brought his head to David. In doing this, they removed the last barrier preventing David from becoming king of all Israel. These two men thought David would rejoice in what they had done and reward them. However, they found that David would not rejoice in murder, even the murder of his enemy. He we have an example of someone who did not rejoice in unrighteousness.

Mark 9:38-40 [38] John said to him, “Teacher, we saw someone who doesn’t follow us casting out demons in your name; and we forbade him, because he doesn’t follow us.” [39] But Jesus said, “Don’t forbid him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me. [40] For whoever is not against us is on our side.

Instead of rejoicing that demons were being cast out in Jesus' name, John forbid the man doing it because he didn't follow Jesus and his disciples. While it would not be right to say that John was rejoicing in unrighteousness in doing this, he had not yet fully learned what it means to rejoice with the truth. It seems that physically following Jesus and the disciples was more important than the truth, in this case, casting out demons in Jesus' name. Jesus used this as an opportunity to teach that his disciples should rejoice in the truth. When good is being done, we should rejoice, no matter who is doing the good.

Luke 15:4-7,8-10

These are the parables Jesus told of the lost sheep and the lost coin. When the shepherd found his sheep, and the woman her coin, they not only rejoiced themselves, but they asked others to rejoice with them. They were asking others to rejoice with the truth. The shepherd's and the woman's friends and neighbors had not lost anything, nor found anything of their own. They were asked to rejoice with the truth, to rejoice because of a principle, to rejoice because of something greater than and outside of themselves. “Rejoice with me, for I have found [that which] was lost.”

Luke 15:11-32 (note: vv25-32)

This is the story of the prodigal son. The father rejoices as the repentance and return of his prodigal son. The older brother does not rejoice in the repentance and return of his younger brother. Instead, it seems he would be happier if his brother had remained in his unrighteousness.

Acts 11:20-24 [20] But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus. [21] The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord. [22] The report concerning them came to the ears of the assembly which was in Jerusalem. They sent out Barnabas to go as far as Antioch, [23] who, when he had come, and had seen the grace of God, was glad. He exhorted them all, that with purpose of heart they should remain near to the Lord. [24] For he was a good man, and full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, and many people were added to the Lord.

Barnabas was glad to see the grace of God at work in others, even if he was not the one who had been instrumental in that grace working in them. He rejoiced with the truth.

Acts 15:3 They, being sent on their way by the assembly, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles. They caused great joy to all the brothers.

The brothers rejoiced with the truth. They found great joy in the conversion of the Gentiles from sin to the living God.

1 Corinthians 5:1-2 [1] It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and such sexual immorality as is not even named among the Gentiles, that one has his father’s wife. [2] You are puffed up, and didn’t rather mourn, that he who had done this deed might be removed from among you.

Pride in the hearts and minds of the Corinthian believers had blinded them. Not only had they allowed sexual immorality to remain in the church, some even rejoiced in this. They rejoiced in unrighteousness.

2 Corinthians 7:8-11 [8] For though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it, though I did regret it. For I see that my letter made you sorry, though just for a while. [9] I now rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that you were made sorry to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly way, that you might suffer loss by us in nothing. [10] For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death. [11] For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.

In dealing with the Corinthian church about this matter of sexual immorality in the church, Paul had brought sorrow to them. He was not happy that they experienced sorrow. He was not happy about anything that brought them harm. Yet he did rejoice that they were made sorry because that led to repentance, to their eternal well-being. He we see the apostle Paul rejoicing with the truth.

Other Verses:

DOESN’T REJOICE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS

Job 31:29-30,40 [29] “If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him; [30] (yes, I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking his life with a curse); [40] let briers grow instead of wheat, and stinkweed instead of barley.” The words of Job are ended.

Psalm 1:1-2 [1] Blessed is the man who doesn’t walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand on the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers; [2] but his delight is in Yahweh’s law. On his law he meditates day and night.

Psalm 13:4 Lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed against him”; Lest my adversaries rejoice when I fall.

Psalm 52:1-5 [1] Why do you boast of mischief, mighty man? God’s loving kindness endures continually. [2] Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. [3] You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking the truth. Selah. [4] You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue. [5] God will likewise destroy you forever. He will take you up, and pluck you out of your tent, and root you out of the land of the living. Selah.

Proverbs 2:12-14 [12] to deliver you from the way of evil, from the men who speak perverse things; [13] who forsake the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; [14] who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the perverseness of evil;

Proverbs 17:5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

Proverbs 24:27-28 [17] Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown; [18] lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.

Obadiah 1:12 But don’t look down on your brother in the day of his disaster, and don’t rejoice over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction. Don’t speak proudly in the day of distress.

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

Romans 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.

BUT REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH

Psalm 35:9 My soul shall be joyful in Yahweh. It shall rejoice in his salvation.

Isaiah 66:10-14 [10] “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her: rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn over her; [11] that you may nurse and be satisfied at the comforting breasts; that you may drink deeply, and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.” [12] For thus says Yahweh, “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream: and you will nurse. You will be carried on her side, and will be dandled on her knees. [13] As one whom his mother comforts, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted in Jerusalem.” [14] You will see it, and your heart shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like the tender grass: and the hand of Yahweh shall be known toward his servants; and he will have indignation against his enemies.

John 8:31-32 [31] Jesus therefore said to those Jews who had believed him, “If you remain in my word, then you are truly my disciples. [32] You will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.

1 Corinthians 12:26 When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

2 John 1:4 I rejoice greatly that I have found some of your children walking in truth, even as we have been commanded by the Father.

3 John 1:2-4 [2] Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be healthy, even as your soul prospers. [3] For I rejoiced greatly, when brothers came and testified about your truth, even as you walk in truth. [4] I have no greater joy than this, to hear about my children walking in truth.

TRUTH

Psalm 15:1-2 [1] Yahweh, who shall dwell in your sanctuary? Who shall live on your holy hill? [2] He who walks blamelessly does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart;

Romans 2:5-9 [5] But according to your hardness and unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath, revelation, and of the righteous judgment of God; [6] who “will pay back to everyone according to their works:” [7] to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life; [8] but to those who are self-seeking, and don’t obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, will be wrath and indignation, [9] oppression and anguish, on every soul of man who works evil, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

LOVES RIGHTEOUSNESS, HATES LAWLESSNESS; VS. LOVES INIQUITY

Psalm 5:4 For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil can’t live with you.

Psalm 11:5-7 [5] Yahweh examines the righteous, but the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates. [6] On the wicked he will rain blazing coals; fire, sulfur, and scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup. [7] For Yahweh is righteous. He loves righteousness. The upright shall see his face.

Psalm 11:5-7 [AB] [5] The Lord tests the righteous and the ungodly: and he that loves unrighteousness hates his own soul. [6] He shall rain upon sinners snares, fire, and brimstone, and a stormy blast shall be the portion of their cup. [7] For the Lord is righteous, and loves righteousness; His face beholds uprightness.

Psalms 15:1-5 [1] Yahweh, who shall dwell in your sanctuary? Who shall live on your holy hill? [2] He who walks blamelessly does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart; [3] He who doesn’t slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor casts slurs against his fellow man; [4] In whose eyes a vile man is despised, but who honors those who fear Yahweh; he who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and doesn’t change; [5] he who doesn’t lend out his money for usury, nor take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be shaken.

Psalm 16:3 As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the excellent ones in whom is all my delight.

Psalm 109:17-18 [17] Yes, he loved cursing, and it came to him. He didn’t delight in blessing, and it was far from him. [18] He clothed himself also with cursing as with his garment. It came into his inward parts like water, like oil into his bones.

Hebrews 1:8-9 [8] But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. The scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your Kingdom. [9] You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.”

Love - Lesson 8: Love Lived Out (6) – Is Not Provoked, Takes No Account of Evil

Love

Lesson 8: Love Lived Out (6) – Is Not Provoked, Takes No Account of Evil

1 Corinthians 13:5b is not provoked, takes no account of evil;

James 1:19-20 [19] So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; [20] for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.

Romans 12:19-21 [19] Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” [20] Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.” [21] Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

PROVOKED, pp.

Excited; roused; incited; made angry; incensed.

“provoked.” Noah Webster's 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language. 2015. http://1828.mshaffer.com/d/word/provoked (22 September 2015).

The Main Points for This Lesson:

This series of lessons will center around love as seen in chapter 13 of the apostle Paul's first epistle to the Corinthians. The purpose of these lessons is to teach about love: love's importance; what love looks like lived out, including what it is and what it isn't, and what it does and what it doesn't do; love's greatness.

In previous lessons we have seen that love is patient and love is kind. We have also been looking at what love is not and does not: Love doesn’t envy; Love doesn’t brag; Love is not proud; It doesn't behave itself inappropriately; It doesn't seek its own way. In this lesson we will continue this by considering that love is not provoked, and love takes no account of evil. These items are not separate and unconnected. It seems that in some way or another each item affects another.

Love is not provoked. What does it mean to “be provoked”? When you become excited, roused or angry by someone or something, you are provoked. Some translations say that love is “not provoked to anger.” Love is not provoked. Love is patient, and is not quick to become angry with someone or something. James wrote that we should be quick to hear and slow to anger (James 1:19-20).

When we are provoked, we do things we should not do. It leads to outbursts of anger (Galatians 5:20), murder, hate, not speaking to someone, getting even or getting revenge, etc. Hence James rightly teaches us that the anger of man does not accomplish the righteousness of God.

Why are we provoked? Love is not provoked, so we know that love for God and love for our neighbor is not (usually) the cause of our being provoked. What is the cause? We are tempted to blame someone or something else outside of us. “You made me angry,” may have come from our lips at some time. However, the cause for our being provoked is most often found within ourselves. Pride and self-seeking are two common causes for being provoked. In my pride, I tell myself that others must treat me a certain way, and if they do not, I am justified in mistreating them. When they don't treat me with the honor or respect I think I deserve, I am provoked to anger towards them. In my selfishness and self-seeking, I decided that getting my way is necessary to my happiness. When someone or something prevents me from getting my own way, I am provoked to anger. A third common cause for being provoked is related to the next characteristic of love, taking account of evil. When I assume the worst about others, I am likely to misunderstand their actions and motives as being bad, and as being against me. By God's grace, we can learn to live out the love that is patient, and that is not proud, and does not seek its own. And so we will find that love is not provoked.

Love takes no account of evil. What does it mean that love takes no account of evil? We may think that it means we remain purposefully ignorant of the evil behaviors and choices of another person. However, the examples we see in the Bible lead us to another understanding of this. It is an understanding with two sides to it.

On one side, love does not take account of evil so that it prevents us from doing good to another person, or showing them mercy or compassion. Love does not allow the evil (past evil or even present evil) of another person to prevent it from doing good to that person.

On the other side, love does take account of evil so that it may, if possible, know how to best help and serve the other person. We do not find Jesus ignorant of the sins of others. He knows what is in the hearts of men. Yet he does not let such knowledge prevent him from helping men. Rather, his knowledge of our true condition, our true sinful condition, becomes the reason he spends time as a man with men. He came to seek at to save the lost.

When we take account of evil (in a negative way), we will most likely respond with evil. We will repay evil with evil. Through Jesus' example, and the admonition of the apostle Paul (Romans 12:21), we understand that we are not to be overcome by evil, but should overcome evil with good. Again, does this mean that we pretend that the other person did not do something evil, or even something evil to us? No. But it does mean that we do not take account of that evil in such a way that it leads us to repay evil for evil, rather that are able to overcome that evil with good.

Love does not assume the worst of others. We may tempted at times to assume the best of ourselves and the worst of others. I always mean well, even when I do something wrong. The other person definitely did not mean well, even if they didn't do something completely wrong. This is another way we take account of evil. But love does not do this. Love is not unrealistic, but being realistic does not usually mean thinking or assuming the worst about others.

Love is willing to forgive the repentant sinner. When someone turns from their sins to God, love does not allow the past sins of that person to become a reason for separation of distance. The apostles remind us that we all have sinful pasts, and that we were all washed and sanctified and justified by God through Jesus Christ.

Love is not provoked to anger. And love does not allow the evil of others to become a reason to repay evil for evil. May we seek the help of God, who is love, to love one another, and all men, with such a love as this.

Suggestions:

To open the lesson, pray for the teacher and the students.

Let the children know that we are having some lessons on 1 Corinthians 13, about love. While 1 Corinthians 13 is not the only place God teaches us about love, it provides a very helpful, practical, and (perhaps) easily understood description of love.

In this lesson, we will learn about what love looks like lived out in our lives.

Read 1 Corinthians 13:5b. Love “is not provoked, takes no account of evil,” is the focus of this lesson.

Ask the children if they can explain what it means to be provoked. Have they even gotten angry because someone did something or said something to them that they didn't like? Ask them why they became angry? Write some of their answers on the board.

Read or tell the story in 1 Samuel 25:1-42 about David being provoked at Nabal's response, and David's decision to kill Nabal and all the men of his house. Mention the part about Abigail persuading David to not carry out this murder. Ask the children, Was David provoked? Why was he provoked? Was it really Nabal's fault?

Explain that David had several chances to kill king Saul, who was much worse than Nabal, and David wasn't provoked then. Help them to understand that David was provoked because of pride and self-seeking. Nabal didn't treat him as he wanted to be treated. And David didn't get his own way. Because of his pride and self-seeking, these things led David to be provoked. If it wasn't really Nabal's fault that David became angry, but the fault of his own pride and self-seeking, why do you think you might become angry?

Tell the children that love takes no account of evil. Ask them what this means. Explain the two sides of this. On one hand, love does not let the evil of another person lead it to repay evil for evil. On the other hand, love does recognize the evil of another person so that it can best help them.

Read or tell the children the story in Luke 7:36-50 about Jesus and the woman who was a sinner. Explain that Jesus did know that the woman was a sinner. Did he let this knowledge prevent him from showing kindness and mercy to her? No. In fact, this knowledge was one of the reasons to show kindness and mercy to her.

To close the lesson, pray with the children (perhaps that we could learn to love others through appropriate behavior and by dying to self), and have all the children read the Lord's prayer together.

Stories:

IS NOT PROVOKED

1 Samuel 25:1-42 [5] David sent ten young men, and David said to the young men, “Go up to Carmel, and go to Nabal, and greet him in my name. [6] You shall tell him, ‘Long life to you! Peace be to you, and peace be to your house, and peace be to all that you have. [7] Now I have heard that you have shearers. Your shepherds have now been with us, and we didn’t hurt them, neither was there anything missing from them, all the while they were in Carmel. [8] Ask your young men, and they will tell you. Therefore let the young men find favor in your eyes; for we come in a good day. Please give whatever comes to your hand, to your servants, and to your son David.’” [9] When David’s young men came, they spoke to Nabal according to all those words in the name of David, and ceased. [10] Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, “Who is David? Who is the son of Jesse? There are many servants who break away from their masters these days. [11] Shall I then take my bread, and my water, and my meat that I have killed for my shearers, and give it to men who I don’t know where they come from?” [12] So David’s young men turned on their way, and went back, and came and told him according to all these words. [13] David said to his men, “Every man put on his sword!” Every man put on his sword. David also put on his sword. About four hundred men followed David; and two hundred stayed by the baggage. [21] Now David had said, “Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow has in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained to him. He has returned me evil for good. [22] God do so to the enemies of David, and more also, if I leave of all that belongs to him by the morning light so much as one who urinates on a wall.”

This takes place before David was made king of Israel. He and his men had protected the shepherds and sheep of Nabal in the wilderness. Nabal repaid David with evil for his good. David was provoked by Nabal and his response. Now David was overcome by evil. He was ready to take revenge by killing Nabal and all the men of his household. It was pride, not love, in David's heart that lead him to be provoked by Nabal's response. Pride within our hearts is often a reason or the reason that we are provoked to anger and evil by another's words or deeds. Love is not provoked, for love is not proud, and does not seek its own.

TAKES NO ACCOUNT OF EVIL

Luke 7:36-50 [36] One of the Pharisees invited him to eat with him. He entered into the Pharisee’s house, and sat at the table. [37] Behold, a woman in the city who was a sinner, when she knew that he was reclining in the Pharisee’s house, she brought an alabaster jar of ointment. [38] Standing behind at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears, and she wiped them with the hair of her head, kissed his feet, and anointed them with the ointment. [39] Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, “This man, if he were a prophet, would have perceived who and what kind of woman this is who touches him, that she is a sinner.” [40] Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” He said, “Teacher, say on.” [41] “A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. [42] When they couldn’t pay, he forgave them both. Which of them therefore will love him most?” [43] Simon answered, “He, I suppose, to whom he forgave the most.” He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” [44] Turning to the woman, he said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered into your house, and you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head. [45] You gave me no kiss, but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss my feet. [46] You didn’t anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. [47] Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” [48] He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” [49] Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” [50] He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”

Jesus was eating in the home of Simon the Pharisee. A woman who was a sinner came in and began wetting Jesus' feet with her tears and wiping them with her hair. Simon knew that she was a sinner. It seems that he was taking into account the evil of this woman's life, and so Simon would not have allowed her to come near to himself. He thought that Jesus must think the same way. He assumed then that the reason Jesus allowed the woman to touch him was that Jesus did not know that the woman was a sinner. Jesus, however, was not ignorant. He knew the woman was a sinner. He did not ignore this fact. Although he knew the evil of this woman's life, he did not take account of her sinful life in such a way as to be unwilling to help her, or show compassion or mercy.

More Stories and Examples:

IS NOT PROVOKED

Esther 3:5-6

Haman is provoked by his own pride when Mordecai won't bow down.

TAKES NO ACCOUNT OF EVIL

Matthew 9:9-13 [9] As Jesus passed by from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the tax collection office. He said to him, “Follow me.” He got up and followed him. [10] As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. [11] When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” [12] When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do. [13] But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ [] for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

John 8:2-11 [2] Now very early in the morning, he came again into the temple, and all the people came to him. He sat down, and taught them. [3] The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman taken in adultery. Having set her in the midst, [4] they told him, “Teacher, we found this woman in adultery, in the very act. [5] Now in our law, Moses commanded us to stone such women. [] What then do you say about her?” [6] They said this testing him, that they might have something to accuse him of. But Jesus stooped down, and wrote on the ground with his finger. [7] But when they continued asking him, he looked up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw the first stone at her.” [8] Again he stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground. [9] They, when they heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning from the oldest, even to the last. Jesus was left alone with the woman where she was, in the middle. [10] Jesus, standing up, saw her and said, “Woman, where are your accusers? Did no one condemn you?” [11] She said, “No one, Lord.” Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.”

Other Verses:

IS NOT PROVOKED

Proverbs 10:12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs.

Proverbs 12:16 A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.

Proverbs 14:17 He who is quick to become angry will commit folly, and a crafty man is hated.

Proverbs 14:29 He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a quick temper displays folly.

Proverbs 15:18 A wrathful man stirs up contention, but one who is slow to anger appeases strife.

Proverbs 16:32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; one who rules his spirit, than he who takes a city.

Ecclesiastes 7:8-9 [8] Better is the end of a thing than its beginning. The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. [9] Don’t be hasty in your spirit to be angry, for anger rests in the bosom of fools.

Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the gentle [the meek], for they shall inherit the earth.

Romans 12:17-21 [17] Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. [18] If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. [19] Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” [20] Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.” [21] Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

James 1:19-20 [19] So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; [20] for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.

1 Peter 4:7-8 [7] But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, self-controlled, and sober in prayer. [8] And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.

TAKES NO ACCOUNT OF EVIL

Proverbs 12:16 A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.

Proverbs 26:4-5 [4] Don’t answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him. [5] Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

This proverb illustrates the application of love taking no account of evil. In the first part, love does not take account of evil, that is, love does not let the folly of the fool lead him to repay evil for evil in his words. In the second part, love does take account of the evil of the fool so that instead of a foolish or evil answer being given to the fool, a wise and helpful answer may be given instead.

Isaiah 1:16-20 [16] Wash yourselves, make yourself clean. Put away the evil of your doings from before my eyes. Cease to do evil. [17] Learn to do well. Seek justice. Relieve the oppressed. Judge the fatherless. Plead for the widow.” [18] “Come now, and let us reason together,” says Yahweh: “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. [19] If you are willing and obedient, you shall eat the good of the land; [20] but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured with the sword; for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken it.”

Jeremiah 11:19 But I was like a gentle lamb that is led to the slaughter; and I didn’t know that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree with its fruit, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.

Jeremiah 40:13-16 [13] Moreover Johanan the son of Kareah, and all the captains of the forces who were in the fields, came to Gedaliah to Mizpah, [14] and said to him, Do you know that Baalis the king of the children of Ammon has sent Ishmael the son of Nethaniah to take your life? But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam didn’t believe them. [15] Then Johanan the son of Kareah spoke to Gedaliah in Mizpah secretly, saying, Please let me go, and I will kill Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and no man shall know it: why should he take your life, that all the Jews who are gathered to you should be scattered, and the remnant of Judah perish? [16] But Gedaliah the son of Ahikam said to Johanan the son of Kareah, You shall not do this thing; for you speak falsely of Ishmael.

Matthew 9:10-13 [10] As he sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Jesus and his disciples. [11] When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” [12] When Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do. [13] But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ [] for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

Romans 12:17-21 [17] Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. [18] If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. [19] Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” [20] Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.” [21] Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

VERY SIMILAR IN THIS RESPECT

Philippians 1:9 This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment;