Real love - Hopeth all things

 Same verse, a little further.  Love/Charity..."hopeth all things..."

Webster's 1828 defines hope this way; A desire of some good, accompanied with at least a slight expectation of obtaining it or a belief that it is obtainable.  Confidence in a future event. 

This bloggers favorite description of hope; "Confidence in a future event."  How's that for meeting each day with a positive attitude?

Real love always "hopes" for the best.  Real love never gives time or effort to what "might" happen.  Real love is not ashamed to hope. (Rom 5.5) Real love understands that "cast down (is) not destroyed." Real love knows that "persecuted (is not) forsaken" because believers recognize and by the Holy Ghost, grasp that "we are always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus." (I Cor 4.9,10)

Real love can "hope" with a passion to know that "because He lives, we may live too!"

Real love - Believeth all things

 I Corinithians 13.7 seems to be a powerful verse to this blogger at the moment.  It's been read many times thru the years as a believer but recently, the Holy Ghost is quite literally "shouting" it's truth.

The next part of  the verse noted is that real love, "believeth all things."  

Obviously, "all" doesn't mean for one to be naive in "all."  However, the passage speaks to this writer in a very sensitive way since it is not my nature to trust.  Naive, according to the dictionary means "deficient in wordly wisdom or ignorance about life."  Simply put one would be, "unassuming, not skeptical or to take another's word at face value."

Some tend to be skeptical about all information that is given.  Real love doesn't operate this way.  Real love "believeth all things."  If two parties are having a talk, discussion or discourse about any given subject, "real love" will take what is being said literally.  Real love will not question motive or intent.  Ideally, the giver of information will have neither motive or intent to manipulate the other party's thinking on a subject.

If you tell me the sky is green instead of blue, it should be a given you wouldn't lie about it.  Undoubtedly, this is a simple and unrealistic example, unless a tornado is on the way, but it makes the point.

To believe like a child is a hard thing for jaded, hardened adults to do.  Yet, real love is like the innocence of a child.  Trust your Heavenly Father to lead, guide and direct your steps in all matters.  If one wrongs you by virtue of telling a wrong thing, He is their Judge and will set it to rights. (Rom 12.19)

The Lord put it this way in Mk 10.14 and Mt 19.14; "...little children...(their innocence) is (like) the kingdom of God."  

Finally, the Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4.8, "whatsoever (was good) ...think on these things."

Real love - Beareth all things

 Just a snippet; When the object of ones love tries patience to the breaking point, Charity/love still wins and patiently waits for the Lords will/answer in a matter.  From personal experience this blogger can say, "love works!"  Ps 57.7

Real love - Rejoiceth in the truth

 I Corinthians 13 always resonated as real "charity/love" for me.  However, this day brings verse six to my attention. "Charity...Rejoiceth not in iniquity, BUT rejoiceth in the TRUTH."

When in prayer, most times this writer will thank God for "candlesticks."  To my heart that would be the men of God who have stood and in the power of the Holy Ghost, unashamedly, proclaimed the gospel.  Sin purged and convictions regarding doctrine and moral living struck this believers heart and are still there.

Do I "love" truth?  I would say, "yes," even when it condemns my sin and convicts my soul.

more thoughts later....

Access

Citing Webster's 1828 definition of "access" we note a coming to; near approach; admittance; means of approach; liberty to approach; implying previous obstacles."

The second verse in Romans 5 says that "we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God."  Not only is this reader "justified by faith" but that same faith gives me "access...into this grace."

Then Webster's definition of access tells us that "access implies previous obstacles."  The question becomes, what obstacles and why is that such a big deal?

Let's allow "scripture to expound scripture."  

According to Eph 2.1, former unbelievers were "dead in trespasses and sins."  In Col 2.13 we discover that "He quickened (or made alive those that were dead in sins and forgave) all trespasses."

The obstacle is death (physical and worse, spiritual separation from God) because of unbelief.  One cannot get to God apart from the saving grace by faith through "our Lord Jesus Christ."  Why would that matter?  A dead thing has no life.  A dead thing cannot help itself to move or grow.  John 11 explains that Lazarus died a physical death and was only "resurrected" at the voice of Jesus.  A clear demonstration of who He is and what He can do for a dead soul.  Just as the Lord Jesus, Himself came back to life on that third morning as depicted in Matthew 28, so He will do for one who believes.

How can a dead man, live?  There is a "quickening" (giving life) that takes place in a dark, dead soul.  Only He can "wake an unbeliever" to the truth of the gospel, which, we know is the "death, burial and resurrection" of the Lord Jesus.  Truly, it is a supernatural thing to be "quickened."  In the case of this blogger/believer, He whispered conviction at age 6, 15 and 18.  The first two times could be called a "quickening."  The last time He clearly spoke to my dark heart and said "it's you that is lost."  A wise preacher once said that "repenting is taking side with God against oneself."

I had to agree that without Him I would remain dead spiritually.  A light came on and it was as if cool water rushed over my soul.  I saw Him.  The "obstacle" was removed and I had "access!"

Access to Him allows for repentance, comfort, hope, wisdom, help in times of sorrow or trouble, tears to cleanse and heal...The song says "He's all I need, I need not turn to any other...He's my everything, He's all I need."

When we have "access" we can "glory in tribulations...knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; ad experience hope: and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." (Rom 5.3-5)

All these things give us strength for the journey.  Believer, "rejoice" that He chose you for His own and gave you "access" to all that is His in this world and the next.  If you don't "have access", there is hope. (Rom 10.9, Eph 2.8-9, Jn 3.16, Jn 14.6) There are many other scriptures but to avoid that place of "outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Lk 13.28, Mt 8.12, 25.30) - eternal separation from God, NO ACCESS!!! Call on Him now while He may be found and is near. (Isa 55.6)

Access is eternal.  Exclusion is eternal.  Where will you be found?

Amen, Ps 57.7