Principles of Christian Living

Lesson 3

Lesson Text—John 3:16

John 3:16For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

Lesson Text—John 13:34-35

John 13:34-3534 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Lesson Text—I Corinthians 13:1-3

I Corinthians 13:1-31 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge;

Lesson Text—I Corinthians 13:1-3

and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.

Lesson Text—I Corinthians 13:4-8

I Corinthians 13:4-84 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

Lesson Text—I Corinthians 13:4-8

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.

Lesson Text—I Corinthians 13:13

I Corinthians 13:13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Focus Verse—I Corinthians 13:13

I Corinthians 13:13And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Focus Thought

God is love. When we have God’s

Spirit we have His love. He wants

us to manifest His love in the

world.

I. Love Is InternalCULTURE CONNECTIONWhat Is Genuine Love?

Our world has such a warped concept of love these days. We carelessly throw around the word “love” with such glibness and nonchalance. Do we even know any longer what is real love, genuine love?

I. Love Is InternalFor example, in the April 07, 2010,

issue of People magazine, in an article titled, “Jennifer Love Hewitt: I’ve Been Cheated on ‘a Lot,’” author Tim Nudd wrote, “Jennifer Love Hewitt’s split with Jamie Kennedy reportedly had nothing to do with any infidelity. But the actress has been down that road in previous relationships. Asked by Ryan Seacrest on his KIIS-FM radio show Tuesday if she’s ever been cheated on, Hewitt replied, ‘Yes. A lot.’”

I. Love Is InternalAnother popular figure who made

news because of his extramarital flings and outrageous conduct is Tiger Woods, famed and talented golfer. His behavior was completely disgusting and reprehensible because of his total disregard for his wife, Elin, and his children.

Sadly, these are the kinds of lifestyles lived by far too many Hollywood elites, sports stars, and political figures. It seems they have lost all sense of what is real and genuine love.

I. Love Is InternalTheirs is a twisted and warped idea that is not love at all.

Out of the swamps of modern culture we still can know and see demonstrated the essence of genuine love because “God is love.” The kind of love God displays is the highest possible idea of love—agape love. His love is real, genuine, and lasting. And when He fills believers with His Holy Spirit, He fills us with the same kind of love so we may exercise genuine love toward others.

I. Love Is InternalContemplating the Topic

Love is an overused word in our world. It is splashed across magazine covers and billboards. Many of the secular lyrics contain references to love, and lurid television programming centers on this subject. The burgeoning divorce rate speaks volumes of a society with little understanding of true love. True love is more than fleeting infatuation or physical attraction.

I. Love Is InternalAlthough the world gravitates toward self-gratification and calls it love, true love must be based on sacrifice and giving.

The Greek language contains several words that could be translated as “love” in the English language. At least two of the words are not found in the Scriptures: eros, which denotes the wrong kind of “love” based on lust and sensuality, and storge, which describes the kind of affection that exists between family members.

I. Love Is InternalA third word is theloo, which means “to be resolved or determined; to desire” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). A fourth word, phileo, has to do with friendship, affections, and emotions in various human relationships. English words such as “philanthropic” are derived from this Greek root word. A fifth word is agape, or agapeo, which is true, unconditional, enduring love. Agape love is the highest and supreme expression of love, which the New Testament writers most often used when referring to the subject of love.

I. Love Is InternalThe essence of God is love. His love

transcends all other human emotions. God’s holy nature will not ignore, overlook, or tolerate sin; however, His love tempers His wrath and He extends mercy and grace to mankind.

In our human nature, we can only strive to achieve the level of love manifested by Jesus Christ. It is contrary to human nature to love those who do not love us, but our Savior loved in spite of rejection, scorn, and abuse. He forgave while experiencing unimaginable agony on the cross.

I. Love Is InternalThe believer’s capacity to love others like Christ loves them comes from His indwelling Spirit. The love of God is the distinguishing characteristic by which others know us as His disciples. When we manifest His love in our daily lives, others become aware that we are true followers of Jesus Christ.

I. Love Is InternalSearching the Scriptures

Love Is Internal

A. Love Comes from Within

God is the source of true love. In ourselves we cannot generate God’s love, for our carnal tendencies make us prone to selfishness.

I. Love Is InternalWhatever human emotions reside within us, whether good or bad, flow outward like an underground spring that feeds a river. The works of the flesh seek to exalt oneself, whereas the Spirit of God motivates us to crucify our selfish will and ambitions. When Jesus Christ is preeminent in our lives, the love of God reigns in our hearts. Like whitewashed sepulchers, the Pharisees flaunted an outward display of righteousness while their inward parts were defiled by death. (See Matthew 23:27.)

I. Love Is InternalOn the road to Jericho, when thieves beat an innocent traveler senseless, “whitewashed” individuals who wished to avoid any outward taint of defilement passed by without assisting the hapless man. Their great love for themselves left no room in their souls to love others.

Love often originates from an individual’s gratitude for what God has given him. The sinful woman who washed the feet of Jesus with her tears displayed a heart full of gratitude and love.

I. Love Is InternalThose who receive much forgiveness also love much. When the Lord saves us from sin, we receive His love for us and in turn act as conduits of that love. Freely we have received and freely we give to others. Instead of a brief, shallow feeling rooted in a desire to escape Hell and judgment, our love for God comes out of the depth of our souls. We love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and we love our neighbors as we love ourselves. (See Mark 12:29-30; Ephesians 1:15.)

B. Love Must Be in the HeartB. Love Must Be in the HeartAny human manifestation of the love of

God must come from one’s own volition and free will. Attempting to forcefully extract love from an individual is contrary to the mind of Christ who freely gave His all. A carnal mind drives a self-centered individual while a heart full of the love of God motivates the Spirit-controlled person. The former is motivated by what personal benefit his actions can derive, while the latter gives love without any thought of a returnon his investment.

I. Love Is InternalA person’s adherence to a set of

rules and guidelines does not prove his love for God. The Pharisees obeyed rules and laws, but they did not base their obedience in love. Our love for God and our desire to please Him must be the source of motivation for our submission and obedience to His commandments.

John 14:15

“If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).

II. Love Is FraternalLove Is Fraternal

The word fraternal means “of, relating to, or involving brothers. . . . of, relating to, or being a fraternity or confederation” (Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary). In other words, through the love of God the church is a brotherhood or sisterhood—a family. In normal or usual circumstances, a stronger bond of love exists between family members than between fellow humans in general.

I. Love Is InternalAs the old German and English phrase states, “Blood is thicker than water.” This old idiom attempts to convey the idea that family relationships are stronger than any other relationships. What makes that especially true in the church among fellow believers is the love of God, which He has given us by the Holy Ghost. (See Romans 5:5.) The characteristics of love demonstrate the strong bonding of believers in the church.

I. Love Is Internal1. Love suffers long—is patient.

God’s relationship with Israel exemplifies His longsuffering. The Israelites’ shallow commitment caused generations to fluctuate wildly in their worship of God. God chastised them repeatedly to bring them back from their backsliding ways. He patiently sent messengers to plead with them before He poured out judgment. Still, His love for wayward Israel remained constant in spite of His wrath over their idolatrous ways.

I. Love Is InternalMoral decadence is prevalent in our

world. As Lot was vexed with the sins of Sodom, so are believers today with the rampant sin in our world. However, we hate the sin but we love the sinner. The church manifests the love of God through longsuffering and patience in witnessing and preaching to the lost. Not only must we extend love to sinners, but as Christians we also should be patient with each other. Forbearing one another comes easier when we understand that people are imperfect and we too have faults.

I. Love Is InternalWe must not try to remove the proverbial splinter from another person’s eye while a beam protrudes from our own eye. God is patient with us so we also must be patient with our brethren.

2. Love is kind. To be kind is to be tender, gracious, and gentle. It may be difficult at times to be kind, especially when we feel we have been treated unfairly. Jesus admonished us to turn the other cheek when smitten and to go the second mile when only one is requested.

I. Love Is InternalBad experiences cause some

individuals to become calloused and insensitive, but if we have a Christ-like spirit, we will be tender and sensitive toward others. As Spirit-filled believers we should be gracious and gentle with others regardless of the treatment we receive. We cannot predicate our behavior on the actions of others.

3. Love does not envy. Jesus Christ based the law of liberty on love, which compels us to consider others.

I. Love Is InternalWe have a vested interest in the welfare of other individuals, and especially in the welfare of fellow believers, members of the body of Christ. We should not envy others when they are blessed or receive recognition. Each person has his own unique talents and abilities, and whether publically visible or not, all work together for the benefit of God’s kingdom. We can all rejoice together.

I. Love Is Internal4. Love is humble. If we are humble,

we probably are the last to recognize it. Humility is not an attitude we cultivate on purpose, because recognition of one’s humility then becomes a source of pride. Humility is a virtue that displays an absence of self-sufficiency and pride in one’s achievements. Although we do not know who first made the observation, many have well stated, “Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”

I. Love Is InternalWe hear much clamor today about

people’s rights. Boundaries mark the perimeter of selfish interests; and when someone violates those boundaries, it causes discomfort and offense. Whereas pride causes one to look out for his own self-interests, humility causes one to think of others first. Jesus made Himself of no reputation and lived to humbly serve others. (See Philippians 2:5-11.) He taught His disciples this concept when, during the Last Supper, He washed their feet.

John 13:13-15

“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your

Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one

another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:13-15).

I. Love Is Internal5. Love is courteous. Societal norms

dictate certain restraints in behavior. However, as believers we should go beyond what is considered common and normal because we want our testimony to be effective in reaching the lost. Many sinners run roughshod over others because they are self-willed and ruled by the flesh. They live like brute beasts biting and devouring one another.

I. Love Is Internal Children of God live differently

because they have traded the heavy yoke of sin’s cruel taskmaster for Christ’s loving, righteous yoke that is easy and light. No longer chafed by the ill-fitting yoke or beaten by the taskmaster, they are new creations in Christ Jesus who extend courtesy to others.

6. Love is unselfish. An epidemic of divisions and factions in the Corinthian church threatened the cohesiveness of that body of believers.

I. Love Is InternalVarious ministers appealed to different groups within the church, and their vocal preferences created disunity. Certain cliques further exacerbated the division, turning communion services into times of feasting and socializing. Further, those who excelled in operating in the gifts of the Spirit swelled with a sense of spiritual superiority; their abilities became badges of honor.

I. Love Is InternalThis was the setting to which Paul

sent the gem of I Corinthians 13. The gifts of the Spirit are for the glory of God and not for mankind’s selfish purposes. Paul wrote, “But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way” (I Corinthians 12:31). For the love of God to be the motivation behind everything that takes place in the church is the better way of which Paul wrote. We must do all we do to edify the body of Christ, not ourselves.

I. Love Is Internal7. Love is not easily provoked. “Let

your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand” (Philippians 4:5).

Love is the highest degree of tolerance, a difficult achievement in many situations. Some wounds are deep, and it is only human to be indignant and want to retaliate. But Jesus told us to love our enemies and do good to those who despitefully use us. To “do good” to someone is to forgive the debt of any transgressions against us.

I. Love Is InternalForgiving others is possible because we remember to what extent Christ has forgiven us.

One aspect of the fruit of the Spirit is peace. Our motivation to manifest the love of God must include a desire for peace and harmony with our fellow man. Peace maintains unity, a vital soulwinning tool.

8. Love is not suspicious. One of the characteristics of love is trust, as opposed to suspicion.

I. Love Is InternalSuspicion causes a person to blame the other individual, which often is a result of guilt because of his own past behavior. Suspicion eats at one’s heart and solidifies in morose and sullen attitudes. Some may say it is naive to look through rose-tinted glasses, but a believer filled with the love of God does not want suspicion to contaminate his mind.

9. Love rejoices in truth. “Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth” (I Corinthians 13:6).

I. Love Is InternalLove does not keep score of wrongs and then rejoice when the offender suffers. Instead, love rejoices in truth. Love looks for the good in others. Looking for the good does not mean we are to tolerate or ignore sin. We must tell others the truth about sin and their need of salvation. We rejoice not in iniquity, but we rejoice when a sinner repents and turns to God. We rejoice because we humbly accept that we are saved through the mercy and grace of God.

I. Love Is Internal10. Love bears all things (I

Corinthians 13:7). Like any modern-day church, a wide variety of people with varied personalities, faults, and shortcomings comprised the congregation of the Corinthian church. Some were easygoing while others made their own life and the lives of others difficult. Love makes it possible to bear these types of individuals. According to The Complete Word Study Dictionary, bearing all things in love means “to cover over in silence.”

I. Love Is InternalPaul’s use of this phrase obviously did not mean remaining silent about sins, for he reprimanded the Corinthians for their many infractions. He meant we should refrain from constantly pointing out everyone else’s faults or complaining every time they do or say something we do not like. The better response is to remain silent about the faults and point out the good. Even if a fellow believer mistreats us, we are to endure him, forgive him, and thus manifest the love of God.

I. Love Is InternalWhen we display the love of God, it makes us more effective witnesses than if we nurse the hurt, cherish the grudge, or act like a martyr.

11. Love believes the best. Many have become cynical because of the bombardment of falsehoods in our world. Once we have been fooled or betrayed, we often become wary and distrustful or even gullible or indiscriminate. However, instead of jumping to a negative conclusion it is much better to think positively.

I. Love Is InternalWhen Paul said to believe the best, he was urging us to give people the benefit of the doubt unless it is proven otherwise. We must remember that the judgment seat does not belong to us but to Jesus Christ. We should give others the latitude and grace that God has given us. Because Jesus Christ extends mercy we need to extend mercy also.

12. Love keeps hoping. True love will always believe that as long as there is life, there is hope.

I. Love Is InternalLove will cause parents to keep interceding for a wayward child even though there is scant evidence of change in his life patterns. Love will motivate a pastor to keep watching the door of his church for a prodigal to come home. In these and similar cases, those who hope are not blind to the reality of situations that seem hopeless, but their love keeps fanning the embers of hope. Love does not allow hope to fade away or to give up in despair.

I. Love Is Internal13. Love endures. Some would say

that love is weak and puny when they hear of the high divorce rate and abuse of children. The neglect of the elderly and other moral collapses would tend to make some believe that the bonds of love are fragile threads that are easily broken. To the contrary, there are many who still have strong, noble principles and love for each other. Love and hate are opposite emotions and some view hatred as the stronger force. Some have exerted much time and energy to exact vengeance because of a perceived injustice.

I. Love Is InternalSeething hatred has destroyed many lives. However, the love of God far exceeds the power of hate. God’s powerful love can change and influence lives. It transcends any earthly relationship and will endure after hatred has exhausted and spent itself.

“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” (Romans 8:35).

A. God’s Love Is EternalLove Is Eternal

A. God’s Love Is Eternal

We live in a finite world limited by time and space, so it is difficult for us to understand the significance of the eternality of love. We can best define it as “love without limits.” Since God always has existed and always will exist, so His love always has been and always will be.

I. Love Is InternalGod never changes; what He did

yesterday, He will do today and tomorrow. This understanding helps us to expect that what He did for others He will do also for us. For example, every rainbow is tangible evidence that as God cared for and preserved Noah and his family, He will care for and preserve us. Every person who receives the Holy Ghost is tangible evidence that as God poured out His Spirit on the Day of Pentecost, He still is sending the Comforter to believers today.

I. Love Is InternalA mighty host of believers has gone before us that testifies of the love of God extended in our daily lives. He provides for our needs, heals our bodies, and guides our footsteps as daily reminders of His love. The Scriptures and our life experiences serve as reminders of His love and eternal care for us.

B. God Loves Us Eternally and Unconditionally

B. God Loves Us Eternally and Unconditionally

The difference between earthly love and the love of God is that His love is unconditional. He loved us even when we were unlovable. He loves mankind whether they love Him or reject Him. Love even tones and tempers His wrath and anger.

What is the price of love? How can one calculate the cost of love?

John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that

whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”

(John 3:16).

I. Love Is InternalLove is more than words; it is an act of will. The powerful force of His love took Jesus to the cross to die for our sins. (See John 15:13.) He paid the price for our redemption with His blood (I Peter 1:18-19). We too must do more than talk about our love of God; we must show it in loving actions toward others. With the love of Christ, our love for others can endure beyond the point of our own endurance.

I. Love Is InternalThe love of God in us seeks

expression through our words and good works. His love may manifest itself through our intercessory prayers or through our witnessing to others of Jesus’ love for them. It may manifest itself through our cooking a meal for a sick person or through our encouragement of someone who is downcast. Love has a long-lasting impact and reaches beyond our local sphere of influence.

C. God Wants Us to Love without Condition

C. God Wants Us to Love without Condition

We must not allow conditions or our own personal gain to cloud our expressions of love. Unconditional love does not calculate the benefits one can receive in return; unconditional love is given freely. Because God loved us when we were unlovable, we can love others who are unlovable.

I. Love Is Internal

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love

one another” (John 13:34).

I. Love Is InternalWe must establish our motives for living for God deeply in our unconditional love for Him. Love, and not a sense of duty, must govern our giving, holy living, and commitments to the church. Further, we cannot love God without loving our brother. Our differences should not divide us, but our loving tolerance of each other becomes the glue that binds us together as one.

I. Love Is InternalJesus left the task of world

evangelism to us. To reach our world with the gospel requires a burden for the lost. We must view the lost through the compassionate eyes of Jesus. It requires the love of God to reach those who often are unlovely and who reject us. Although Paul had endured shipwreck, stoning, imprisonment, and ridicule at the hands of the unlovable, he still felt a keen sense of responsibility to reach them for the Lord. He characterized his feeling as indebtedness.

John 13:34

“I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise” (Romans 1:14).

I. Love Is InternalTrials, storms, and possibly success will test our love. The testing process proves the depth of our love. It reveals whether we use Jesus as a fire escape from eternal punishment or whether we love Him genuinely and unconditionally and are passing His love freely unto others.

I. Love Is InternalInternalizing the Message

With keen insight the apostle John wrote about the love of God in his Gospel and later in his epistles. His understanding and wisdom resulted from his personal contact with Jesus. He shared the Last Supper with his Master and the eleven disciples and even leaned against the One whom he loved so much. He heard the teaching of Jesus concerning love and unity among the brethren.

I. Love Is InternalHe learned that the mark of distinction by which others recognize followers of Jesus is not how well they follow a list of rules or fulfill prescribed tasks, but how well they manifest the love of God to one another. It was not that John, or any other New Testament writer, discounted or dismissed the value of rules and obligations, but he placed love at the top of the list, a place of high priority and significance.

I. Love Is InternalJohn’s deep love for his Savior drew him to the foot of the cross even as the other disciples hurried away for fear their association with Jesus would lead to their arrest. As he lingered, John agonized along with Jesus’ suffering and he poignantly recounted the experience in his gospel.

I. Love Is InternalTears must have filled his eyes and his hand must have trembled with the visual images of Christ’s suffering as he wrote, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). In all of John’s writings the major theme was the love of God and our love for Him and others. This love unifies, bonds, and strengthens relationships both with God and with others.

I. Love Is InternalThe Corinthian church thought they

were spiritual because of their enthusiastic operation of the gifts of the Spirit in their chaotic services. Paul saw they did not understand they were misusing these gifts while at the same time they were fragmenting the church through carnal thinking and actions. The core of Paul’s teaching on the proper use of the gifts of the Spirit was that unless these gifts were motivated by their genuine love for God and for others, their prophesying, spouting of knowledge, alms-giving, and heroic acts of faith meant nothing.

I. Love Is InternalLove must be their motivation, and edification must be their purpose.

Paul emphasized that if their hearts were not overflowing with the love of God, their speaking was like the tinkling of cheap trinkets or the hollow sound of a gong. Without love, none of these spiritual exercises resonates with God. Love is more than mere words; our actions must validate it. If we say we love God, we also must love our brethren. Beyond that, the love of God constrains us to love those who mistreat us and to forgive them as Christ has forgiven us.

I. Love Is InternalThe hallmark of redemption is that the love of God caused Him to give His all to save the fallen human race. There is no greater love than this. His great love should awaken in us a deep, unconditional, eternal love for Him, and it should compel us to give this love to others.