1st Corinthians13:4 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; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
This passage of scripture contains a timeless truth pertaining to love born of God, which is applicable to every generation, for when it is adopted and implemented in our everyday experiences, it goes a long way in alleviating most of life's problems, which are encountered through our interaction with our fellowmen. Bearing and enduring things however, will mean that in some instances we may have to fore-go our rights and privileges in order that the bond of peace may remain intact. The general teaching of the Bible on the issue of personal rights is that as Christians, we should be willing to make the necessary sacrifices for the sake of peace, a principle that is foreign to the natural man.
This fundamental teaching was made plain when Christ assayed to pass through one of the villages of the Samaritans to go up to Jerusalem. The people in that village did not take kindly to the request of Christ, and there stated that no such permission would be given. This refusal on their part then aroused the naturally, combative nature of James and John, who then asked Jesus if they should call down fire from heaven to destroy the citizens of that village, to which Christ responded with a statement of fact about the purposes of the kingdom of heaven. Let's read:
Luke 9:54 And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? 55 But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. 56 For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
This kind response of Christ to the obvious violation of His rights as Creator, encapsulates the principle of charity as elaborated upon by the apostle Paul in today's passage. When as the followers of Christ, we are brought into similar circumstances, we are to exercise that same kind of forbearance that was manifested in Him, for the sake of the common good, and for the sake of peace. The Bible does not say that it will always be easy to do so, but by the grace and power of the Holy Spirit, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
In our day many families have been torn apart, and many nations have gone to war because no one was willing to surrender their rights for the sake of peace. When charity is espoused as a living principle it actually fore-stalls numerous arguments, fights, and aggressions which are the hallmarks of satan's kingdom.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which calls us, not to make war, but to make peace, and pursue it, for this is the will of God for the entire human family. Let's read:
Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
May the principle of charity become a living reality in our lives, for in this way, the character of God is made known to those who do not know Him. God bless!