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My LifeVerse

Love does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.

1 Corinthians 13:6 (NLT)

My LifeNotes

Our world is divided. Contention seems to be more prevalent than harmony. It’s easy to watch the news and get dragged down in dissension.

The enemy loves to divide us. He wants us to see each other as enemies. He wants us to believe that peace isn’t possible. That time has run out. That God doesn’t care what goes on in our relationships, workplaces, churches and countries.

But Love Himself is always watching. He sees the division in our societies and our hearts. He knows that we feel helpless and hopeless, and we often secretly rejoice in injustice rather than the truth. We want to feel secure, so we cloister ourselves and point fingers. We forget that the love chapter in 1 Corinthians 13 instructs each one of us, every day.

Love Himself wants to teach us to love the way He loves.

God is working a big change in my heart. In this contentious culture, he’s teaching me to love people more than principles. He’s helping me rejoice in the truth and believe that it always wins out, because he has already secured the victory. He’s giving me new hope, because Truth Himself is in control. To find hope in challenging times, we must choose to rejoice in the truth.

My LifeLesson

The truth is not always easy to see. Relationships are anything but black and white–they are all different shades on the color spectrum. Each one is imperfect. But when we are hurt in relationships, it’s tempting to rejoice in injustice. It’s hard not to relish a sense of retribution when our perceived offender is suffering.

Jesus didn’t rejoice in injustice. The Pharisees pretended they wanted justice, but their actions showed they sought injustice against Love Incarnate. Even though they mocked him, criticized him, tried to trap him, and dragged his name through the mud, Jesus kept his integrity. He modeled what selfless, humble, holy love looked like, especially in the face of his accusers. He did not back down, but he never rejoiced in the injustice they heaped on him or others.

When Pilate said, “What is truth?” (John 18:38, NLT), he didn’t realize that Truth Himself was standing before him. He didn’t know that Truth would win out, despite torture, death, and a stone sealed on a grave.

Jesus, the Way, Truth and Life, gave himself for you and for me. The truth always wins out, because the work of salvation has already been done.

We must always remember that God’s Word is the ultimate Truth. God’s truth will prevail, no matter what happens in our messy relationships. We can love others the way Jesus did because we can always rejoice in the ultimate Truth. We can always believe that the truth will prevail, because God cannot be moved. Read the Gospels to learn from Jesus’ example, and choose to act like he acted.

Jesus reached out to people with intention. He touched the unwanted, enjoyed meals with “sinners,” and had compassion on the crowds. Today, choose to rejoice in the truth where you may have once rejoiced in injustice. Choose to see others the way Jesus sees them–through eyes of love. Reach out to them. Meditate on 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 and ask God to work a mighty change in your heart.

My LifePrayer

Dear Father in heaven,

Thank you for the truth of your Word. You constantly offer me instruction and growth through your scriptures. I’m so honored that you want me to be more like your Son, Jesus Christ.

I confess that I often rejoice in injustice rather than rejoicing in the truth. Please forgive the sins I harbor against others in my heart. Send your Holy Spirit to work newness of life in me.

This week, show me how to love others the way you do. Teach me to stop pointing fingers and start reaching out in love instead. Show me how to rejoice in the truth in my relationships.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

 

 

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