The Truth Of The Matter From The Love Standard Series
“Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.” 1 Corinthians 13:6
Truth. In today’s culture, it seems like everyone has their own truth that they are clinging to, but it isn’t always the right truth. With just a click of a button, we can turn on the TV and find show after show of lies and deception. Relationships ruined. Marriages ruined. Lives ruined. All because of a broken sin-soaked world. Friend, it was never supposed to be this way. However, just like back in the garden of Eden, the enemy is still at his schemes of trying to destroy lives with lies and deception. He will stop at nothing to get us to focus on the things that will tear down our marriages instead of building them up.
Our key verse today states, “Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth.” 1 Corinthians 13:6 CSB. I love how the New Living Translation says it. “It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.”
We don’t have to look around long to see many injustices in this world. Injustice can be defined as a lack of fairness or justice. An unjust act or occurrence. And unrighteous can be defined as not righteous or wicked. So, what is righteous? Righteous is morally right or justifiable or virtuous, very good, and excellent. There is no joy whatsoever in wicked and unfair behavior or actions. Love will never affirm someone in their sin or their false beliefs. But love will rejoice in truth. Love rejoices in decisions and actions that honor God’s truth on how we should act and conduct ourselves.
1 John 3:18-19 says, “Dear Children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.” It’s been said a million times, actions speak louder than words and it is true.
See, when we view love through God’s lens, we see that it is more about a decision and not about a feeling. 1 John 4:7-12 tells us that God demonstrated love to us by sending His one and only Son to die in our place. That is real sacrifice. That friend is real love.
Heavenly Father,
I love the fact that you are a God that showed us what true love really is. You didn’t just talk a good talk. You but action behind your words. You loved me so much that you were willing to send your Son to die in my place. Your goodness and your grace just blow my mind sometimes. Thank you for your truth and for showing me that I need to rejoice in the truth more. Help me to live out these truths that you are teaching me. I love you Lord. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Dig Deeper:
“Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to live worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” Ephesians 4: 1-3 CSB
Reflection:
Why do you think feelings are such a bad indicator of the health of a relationship?
Which of the aspects of love listed in 1 Corinthians 13 is the hardest for you to maintain and why?
Challenge #5
Identify any lies the enemy has been telling you about your marriage or your husband.
How can you rejoice more in the truth with your husband this week?
Are there any areas of unrighteousness in your marriage? If so, spend some time talking about it and give it to God in prayer. God is a great listener and awesome at forgiveness and loving us even when we feel like we are unlovable.