Archives for 2021

Good morning,

Chapter 3 of Ruth reveals the role of the kinsman redeemer, Boaz. Naomi gives Ruth detailed instructions on what she must do. Ruth claims Boaz as the kinsman redeemer. Read how the story turns out.

Please read Chapter 3 of Ruth.

Chapter 3 Ruth’s Rest v1 and 18

Naomi arranges Ruth’s wedding Verses 1-7

• Then Naomi her mother-in-law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? V1
• Naomi’s instructions to Ruth v2-7

And now is not Boaz of our kindred, with whose maidens thou wast? Behold, he winnoweth barley to night in the threshing floor.³ Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.⁴ And it shall be, when he lieth down, that thou shalt mark the place where he shall lie, and thou shalt go in, and uncover his feet, and lay thee down; and he will tell thee what thou shalt do.⁵ And she said unto her, All that thou sayest unto me I will do.⁶ And she went down unto the floor, and did according to all that her mother in law bade her.⁷ And when Boaz had eaten and drunk, and his heart was merry, he went to lie down at the end of the heap of corn: and she came softly, and uncovered his feet, and laid her down.

• Ruth claims Boaz as Kinsman v8-15

And it came to pass at midnight, that the man was afraid, and turned himself: and, behold, a woman lay at his feet.⁹ And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman.¹⁰ And he said, Blessed be thou of the Lord, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich.¹¹ And now, my daughter, fear not; I will do to thee all that thou requirest: for all the city of my people doth know that thou art a virtuous woman.¹² And now it is true that I am thy near kinsman: howbeit there is a kinsman nearer than I.¹³ Tarry this night, and it shall be in the morning, that if he will perform unto thee the part of a kinsman, well; let him do the kinsman’s part: but if he will not do the part of a kinsman to thee, then will I do the part of a kinsman to thee, as the Lord liveth: lie down until the morning.¹⁴ And she lay at his feet until the morning: and she rose up before one could know another. And he said, Let it not be known that a woman came into the floor.¹⁵ Also he said, Bring the vail that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city.

What Ruth did in going to Boaz was not immodest nor was it wicked. A kinsman was expected to marry the young widow and raise up children for the dead husband’s line. (Deuteronomy 25:5-6) Ruth simply reminded Boaz of his duty and privilege as a kinsman.

The role of the Kinsman Redeemer

A major theme of the Book of Ruth is that of the kinsman-redeemer. Boaz, a relative of Naomi on her husband’s side, acted upon his duty as outlined in the Mosaic Law to redeem an impoverished relative from his or her circumstances (Lev. 25:47-49). This scenario is repeated by Christ, who redeems us, the spiritually impoverished, from the slavery of sin. Our heavenly Father sent His own Son to the cross so that we might become children of God and brothers and sisters of Christ. By being our Redeemer, He makes us His kinsmen.

Ruth sits still/Boaz will not rest Verses 16-18

Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day.

Now Ruth waits on her kinsman redeemer. Our kinsman redeemer is Jesus Christ. Have you placed your faith and trust in Him? He went to the cross for you, paid the penalty for your sin, and gives you new life. Accept Him today. Need more information, call or email me.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will look at the book of Ruth. This is a love story. There is the love that Ruth had for Naomi. There is the love that Boaz had for Ruth.  Then there is the love God has for His children. Only one of those loves is unconditional, redemptive, and eternal.

RUTH

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: (Ruth 1:16)

Introduction: The book of Ruth is a love story. There is the love that Ruth had for Naomi. There is the love that Boaz had for Ruth.  There is the love God has for His children. Only one of those loves is unconditional, redemptive, and eternal.

Chapter 1 Ruth’s Decision v16-17

Verses 1-5 Setting the scene

• Famine in Bethlehem and sojourn into Moab v1
• Family: Naomi, her husband Elimelech, and her two sons, Mahlon and Chilion v2
• Elimelech dies v3
• Marriage of Mahlon to Ruth and Chilion to Orpah v4
• Dwelt in the land for 10 years v4
• Mahlon and Chilion die v5

Verses 6-15 Naomi’s counsel to her daughters to return to their homes

• Naomi’s argument v6-13
• Orpah chooses to return v14
• Naomi encourages Ruth to go v15

Verses 16-17 Ruth’s Decision

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: ¹⁷ Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Verses 18-20 Return to Bethlehem

Chapter 2 Ruth’s Service v2

Verses 1-3 Ruth gleans in the field of Boaz

And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. ² And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter. ³ And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.

Verses 4-23 Ruth meets Boaz

• Boaz inquires about Ruth v4-7
• Boaz encourages Ruth to abide in his field and glean v8-9
• Ruth’s humble response v10
• Ruth reward for faithfulness to Naomi v11-12
• Ruth’s humble response v13
• Boaz’s instructions to Ruth and to his young men v14-16
• Ruth gleans the field, goes home, and rehearses all that went on that day v17-23

Chapter 3 Ruth’s Rest v1 and 18

Verses 1-7 Naomi arranges Ruth’s wedding

• Then Naomi her mother in law said unto her, My daughter, shall I not seek rest for thee, that it may be well with thee? V1
• Naomi’s instructions to Ruth v2-7
• Ruth claims Boaz as Kinsman v8-15
• What Ruth did in going to Boaz was not immodest nor was it wicked. A kinsman was expected to marry the young widow and raise up children for the dead husbands line. (Deuteronomy 25:5-6) Ruth simply reminded Boaz of his duty and privilege as a kinsman.

The role of the Kinsman Redeemer

A major theme of the Book of Ruth is that of the kinsman-redeemer. Boaz, a relative of Naomi on her husband’s side, acted upon his duty as outlined in the Mosaic Law to redeem an impoverished relative from his or her circumstances (Lev. 25:47-49). This scenario is repeated by Christ, who redeems us, the spiritually impoverished, from the slavery of sin. Our heavenly Father sent His own Son to the cross so that we might become children of God and brothers and sisters of Christ. By being our Redeemer, He makes us His kinsmen.

Verses 16-18 Ruth sit still Boaz will not rest

Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day. V18

Chapter 4 Ruth’s Reward v13

Verses 1-12 Boaz redeems the inheritance of Elimelech, Chilion, and Mahlon.

Verses 13-15 Boaz marries Ruth

So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the Lord gave her conception, and she bare a son. V13

Verses 16-22 Ruth’s son Obed is David’s grandfather.

• Naomi nurses the child named Obed v17-18
• Genealogy of Pharez v19-22

CONCLUSION

The gentile woman Ruth, like Rahab the harlot, trusted in God and was taken into the ancestral line of Christ; Boaz was of the son of Salmon and Rahab. Obed, son of Boaz and Ruth, would become father to Jesse, who was the father of King David. Their home was Bethlehem where Micah prophesied Jesus would be born. (Micah 5:2)

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Chapter 2 of the book of Ruth identifies Ruth as one who serves. She goes to the field to glean ears of corn for Naomi and herself. When she meets Boaz she shows a humble attitude. She is thankful to Boaz for the privilege to glean in his field. She is also obedient to the instructions of Boaz and Naomi.

Chapter 2 Ruth’s Service v2

Verses 1-3 Ruth gleans in the field of Boaz

And Naomi had a kinsman of her husband’s, a mighty man of wealth, of the family of Elimelech; and his name was Boaz. ² And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi, Let me now go to the field, and glean ears of corn after him in whose sight I shall find grace. And she said unto her, Go, my daughter. ³ And she went, and came, and gleaned in the field after the reapers: and her hap was to light on a part of the field belonging unto Boaz, who was of the kindred of Elimelech.

Verses 4-23 Ruth meets Boaz

• Boaz inquiries about Ruth v4-7

And, behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem, and said unto the reapers, The Lord be with you. And they answered him, The Lord bless thee.⁵ Then said Boaz unto his servant that was set over the reapers, Whose damsel is this?⁶ And the servant that was set over the reapers answered and said, It is the Moabitish damsel that came back with Naomi out of the country of Moab:⁷ And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house.

• Boaz encourages Ruth to abide in his field and glean v8-9

Then said Boaz unto Ruth, Hearest thou not, my daughter? Go not to glean in another field, neither go from hence, but abide here fast by my maidens: ⁹ Let thine eyes be on the field that they do reap, and go thou after them: have I not charged the young men that they shall not touch thee? and when thou art athirst, go unto the vessels, and drink of that which the young men have drawn.

• Ruth’s humble response v10

Then she fell on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, and said unto him, Why have I found grace in thine eyes, that thou shouldest take knowledge of me, seeing I am a stranger?

• Ruth reward for faithfulness to Naomi v11-12
• And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. ¹² The Lord recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.

• Ruth’s humble response v13

Then she said, Let me find favor in thy sight, my lord; for that thou hast comforted me, and for that thou hast spoken friendly unto thine handmaid, though I be not like unto one of thine handmaidens.

• Boaz’s instructions to Ruth and to his young men v14-16

And Boaz said unto her, At mealtime come thou hither, and eat of the bread, and dip thy morsel in the vinegar. And she sat beside the reapers: and he reached her parched corn, and she did eat, and was sufficed, and left.¹⁵ And when she was risen up to glean, Boaz commanded his young men, saying, Let her glean even among the sheaves, and reproach her not: ¹⁶ And let fall also some of the handfuls of purpose for her, and leave them, that she may glean them, and rebuke her not.

• Ruth gleans the field, goes home, and rehearses all that went on that day v17-23

So she gleaned in the field until even, and beat out that she had gleaned: and it was about an ephah of barley.¹⁸ And she took it up, and went into the city: and her mother in law saw what she had gleaned: and she brought forth, and gave to her that she had reserved after she was sufficed.¹⁹ And her mother in law said unto her, Where hast thou gleaned to day? and where wroughtest thou? blessed be he that did take knowledge of thee. And she shewed her mother in law with whom she had wrought, and said, The man’s name with whom I wrought today is Boaz.   ²⁰ And Naomi said unto her daughter in law, Blessed be he of the Lord, who hath not left off his kindness to the living and to the dead. And Naomi said unto her, The man is near of kin unto us, one of our next kinsmen.²¹ And Ruth the Moabitess said, He said unto me also, Thou shalt keep fast by my young men, until they have ended all my harvest.²² And Naomi said unto Ruth her daughter in law, It is good, my daughter, that thou go out with his maidens, that they meet thee not in any other field.²³ So she kept fast by the maidens of Boaz to glean unto the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and dwelt with her mother in law.

When Ruth left Moab to be with Naomi, I doubt she ever considered how her kindness would be rewarded. Boaz understood the significance of what Ruth was doing. He asked God to bless her for being kind to Naomi.

Do we take the opportunities to be kind to one another? When people are hurting and need help, are we the ones who help? Ruth did.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will look at the book of Ruth. This is a love story. There is the love that Ruth had for Naomi. There is the love that Boaz had for Ruth.  Then there is the love God has for His children. Only one of those loves is unconditional, redemptive, and eternal.

***Please read Chapter one***

Chapter one tells us of a:

Famine in Bethlehem v1

Now it came to pass in the days when the judges ruled, that there was a famine in the land.

Sojourn in Moab        v1

And a certain man of Bethlehemjudah went to sojourn in the country of Moab, he, and his wife, and his two sons.

Family                        V2

And the name of the man was Elimelech, and the name of his wife Naomi, and the name of his two sons Mahlon and Chilion, Ephrathites of Bethlehemjudah. And they came into the country of Moab, and continued there.

Death                         v3

And Elimelech Naomi’s husband died; and she was left, and her two sons.

Two marriages          v4

And they took them wives of the women of Moab; the name of the one was Orpah, and the name of the other Ruth: and they dwelled there about ten years.

Two deaths                v5

And Mahlon and Chilion died also both of them; and the woman was left of her two sons and her husband.

Grieving mother telling her daughters to go back to their family’s v6-14

One leaves                 v14

And they lifted up their voice, and wept again: and Orpah kissed her mother in law; but Ruth clave unto her.

One does not             v15-17

And she said, Behold, thy sister in law is gone back unto her people, and unto her gods: return thou after thy sister in law.¹⁶ And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:¹⁷ Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.

Return to Bethlehem v18-22

The key to chapter one is found in verses 16 and 17. “And Ruth said, Entreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: ¹⁷ Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried: the Lord do so to me, and more also, if ought but death part thee and me.”

Ruth made a decision to go with Naomi to Bethlehem. Her love for Naomi was stronger than her desire to return to her family. She had lived for ten years being influenced by Naomi and her Jewish roots. She made a choice to follow the God of the Bible, rather than to go back to Moabite paganism.

Who or what are you following today? Ruth gave up all she knew to follow Naomi and her God. Have you given up everything to follow the God of the Bible?

As we will see it was a very good decision for Ruth.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will look at who is love, what He has done for us, our response, and what 1 John 4:7-21 tells us about love.

The reason for our love to Jesus (4:19)

¹⁹ We love him, because he first loved us.

Think back with me to the time prior to our salvation. Remember the type of people we were. Then God stepped in and showed us His love and changed our lives. We should be eternally grateful that God loved us. We should love Him, because He first loved us!

 The commandment to love (4:20-21)

²⁰ If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?²¹ And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

If we have learned nothing else about love, we should love our brothers. Not only because it is commanded, but because of the love God showed to us. Remember, we would not be here today were it not for the love of God!

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Who is the source of love? Why?

How did God model His love for us?

What does He command us to do?

How does the unity of the Trinity work?

What should I response be to God’s love?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will look at who is love, what He has done for us, our response, and what 1 John 4:7-21 tells us about love.

Assurance of the work of the Triune God in us (4:13-15)

¹³ Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.¹⁵ Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

God has given us His love, Son, salvation, and then the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit lives within us to guide, direct, and comfort us. The Holy Spirit helps us to memorize God’s word. Then brings it to remembrance when we need it to witness, counsel, or comfort. But we can quench the Holy Spirit through sin. If we rebel against the Spirit of God, we will not be able to hear God’s still small voice.

The Christian’s response to God and His love (4:16)

¹⁶ And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

Are we Christians? Do we know and believe God’s love towards us? It is God’s requirement that we dwell in love. It is an indication we are saved.

The perfecting of love, both now and in eternity (4:17-18)

¹⁷ Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.¹⁸ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Perfect love casts out fear. What a promise. Do we really believe this and apply it in our daily walk with the Lord? There is a tremendous amount of fear in our world today. There is much need for God’s love to be displayed. That perfect love needs to be seen in us. What are we trusting in? The world, the flesh, and the devil, or in the love of God?

We are learning this week that love is a powerful tool in God’s toolbox.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will look at who is love, what He has done for us, our response, and what 1 John 4:7-21 tells us about love.

GOD IS LOVE

1) God is Love (I John 4:8)

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

2) God demonstrates His love (Romans 5:8)

But God commendeth (demonstrated) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

3) God loves the world (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.

4) How do we respond to God’s love?

Keep His commandments

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

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (I John 5:3)

Love Him (I John 4:19)

We love him, because he first loved us.

1 John 4:7-21

God is love (4:7-21)

God is the source of all love (4:7-8)

⁷ Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.⁸ He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

God models what genuine love is (4:9-10)

⁹ In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  ¹⁰ Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

God commands us to love one another (4:11-12)

¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.¹² No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Assurance of the work of the Triune God in us (4:13-15)

¹³ Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. ¹⁴ And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.¹⁵ Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.

The Christian’s response to God and His love (4:16)

¹⁶ And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.

The perfecting of love, both now and in eternity (4:17-18)

¹⁷ Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.¹⁸ There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

The reason for our love to Jesus (4:19)

¹⁹ We love him, because he first loved us.

 The commandment to love (4:20-21)

²⁰ If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?²¹ And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

Who is the source of love? Why?

How did God model His love for us?

What does He command us to do?

How does the unity of the Trinity work?

What should I response be to God’s love?

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will look at who is love, what He has done for us, our response, and what 1 John 4:7-21 tells us about love.

1 John 4:7-21

God is love (4:7-21)

God is the source of all love (4:7-8)

⁷ Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.⁸ He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

God is the source of love because God is love. Knowing how much God loves us, we should love one another. What God gives to us, He expects us to give to others. Are we willing to share God’s love with others?

God models what genuine love is (4:9-10)

⁹ In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.  ¹⁰ Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Love is an action word. God sent Jesus on our behalf. We owed a debt we could not pay. Jesus paid a debt He did not owe. He came for us. He loved us. We did not love Him. We are a blessed people knowing that we have a God who loves us so much.

God commands us to love one another (4:11-12)

¹¹ Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.¹² No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.

Why is it so important that we love one another? God commands it. Also, this is how the unsaved see Jesus. Every day, where ever, whenever, and to whom ever, we are God’s representative. Do we display God’s love to others? It is essential that the ungodly world sees something different in the lives of Christians. Love stands out!

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

This week we will look at who is love, what He has done for us, our response, and what 1 John 4:7-21 tells us about love.

1) God is Love (I John 4:8)

He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

God has been love from before the creation. It is part of God’s character.

2) God demonstrates His love (Romans 5:8)

But God commendeth (demonstrated) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

God did not have to redeem sinners. We failed to follow God’s commandments and He had the perfect right to destroy us. Remember the flood? He chose to send Jesus to pay our sin debt. Sin has always needed a blood sacrifice. Jesus came and paid our sin debt for us. “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:¹³ Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:12-13)

3) God loves the world (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.

God’s love was never limited to a certain group of people. He loved the whole world. The greatest demonstration of that love was to allow His Son, Jesus, to go to the cross and pay the sin debt for all mankind. Remember that Jesus never sinned. Yet He took the sin of all mankind on Himself, shedding His perfect blood, to redeem all mankind. All mankind had to do was believe in the finished work of Christ. Then mankind would be saved and look forward to eternal life with God in heaven.

4) How do we respond to God’s love?

Keep His commandments

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

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (I John 5:3)

Love Him (I John 4:19)

We love him, because he first loved us.

Our response needs to be obedience. When we realize what God has done for us, it should cause us to obey, love Him, and praise Him. We now possess all the promises God has made to believers in Christ.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com

Good morning,

Love. How do we define it? Who is love? Does the Bible give us example of people who loved?

These are questions we will explore during the next few weeks.

This week we will define love.

Definition of God’s Love (charity = love)

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth: (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)

Description of Agape love

The following is a description of agape love, also called “charity” in the New Testament (1 Cor. 13). This paraphrase is based upon research of the Greek and English words and their meanings in 1 Cor. 13:4-8.

LOVE BEARETH ALL THINGS. God’s love makes it possible to withstand all stress and difficulty. Because God is love, He supports and carries on His own Person whatever is placed upon Him. God’s love protects, covers, and keeps off anything which threatens the benefit and welfare of another. God’s love holds back, refrains, and is tolerant and patient in all circumstances.

LOVE BELIEVETH ALL THINGS. God’s love puts faith in others, believing the best of everyone (without criticizing or looking for fault).

LOVE HOPETH ALL THINGS. God’s love persists in hoping, against all odds, in confidence and expectation of fulfillment of that which is promised.

LOVE ENDURETH ALL THINGS. God’s love causes one to carry on through, despite hardships.

LOVE NEVER FAILETH. God’s love never proves insufficient in duration or is unsuccessful in effectiveness. Love will never disappoint or prove undependable. God’s love goes on forever and will never come to an end.

Credit due to: http://www.krowtracts.com/agape.html

There are fifteen terms defining love in these five verses. Each one should challenge the way we think about love.

Love beareth all things. Is God, who is love, big enough to help us to go through the stress and difficulties of life? He is. The Holy Spirit dwells within us. He protects and guides us. He restrains Satan. When we are overwhelmed, the Holy Spirit helps us weather the storm.

Love believeth all things. Do we believe the best in everyone? God’s does. He saw what we could be. He saw the best in us, even when we were lost sinners. He did not look at our faults.

Are we willing to see the best in people? Will we love them as Christ loved us?

Love hopeth all things. We always have hope. It is never ending. Our hope is built on the person of God and His promises. If God makes a promise in the Bible, it will happen. That is where our hope lies.

Love endureth all things. Endurance means to carry on in spite of hardships or failures. Not in our strength, but God’s. Think of all the people in the Bible that endured through hardship. Abraham, Moses, King David, Ruth and Naomi, Paul, and Jesus Himself. They never quit and we shouldn’t either.

Love never faileth. Why? Because God is love. God never fails to love. He loved us. He wants us to lover others.

Conclusion

Our goal is to evaluate our relationships through the filter of God’s love. Then apply God’s definition in 1 Corinthians 13 to each relationship and area of our lives. Having done this, we will have a closer relationship to our Lord Jesus Christ and to others.

Tom Stearns, WASI Chaplain, 907 715-4001 chaplain@alaskaseniors.com