1 Corinthians 13:6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
Today we continue on with the famous love chapter in 1 Corinthians, though we did skip verse five. Being a continuation of the same discussion that was started prior, the Greek word used is still agape.
In today’s verse, Paul said love does not find joy in evil, instead finding it in truth. He defines Christian love as a moral force that rejects wrongdoing and sin. Instead love celebrates righteousness and what is good, or as Paul puts it, truth. Remember, we were also told that the truth will set us free (John 8:32) and Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). It means true love takes no pleasure in the moral failings, gossip, or suffering of others, but finds joy when truth and justice prevail.
True love does not gloat over the sinful downfalls of one’s enemies. It doesn’t tolerate injustice or gossip over sinful actions and behaviors. It recognizes these things for what they are – things that contradict God’s nature.
True Christian love rejoices in the truth. It sees the things that are honest, righteous, and good, and it celebrates them. And even if the truth is something that is hard to follow, it still aligns with the truth of the Gospel. Because Christ is the Truth, loving the truth means aligning oneself with Him.
We need to remember that love should be discerning, choosing to celebrate virtue rather than being accepting of any and all behaviors. More importantly, love doesn’t just ignore wrongdoing; it is saddened by it and hopes for repentance and transformation. The Truth will set you free and with Him we can claim that freedom and bring about change in ourselves and hopefully in others.
Genuine love is linked to moral integrity and truth. It acts as a protector of what is right. What can you do today to help rejoice in the Truth and either be set free or help someone else obtain freedom? Love is the foundation upon which we stand, in which we live, and offers us freedom and joy.
Prayer: Lord, You are Truth and Love. I want to rejoice in the truth and find freedom from sin and wrongdoing. Help me to live a righteous life. Amen
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