THE “F” WORD

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever! - 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NLT)

Today was one of those days I wanted to stay home with my husband and do absolutely nothing! (sigh) Instead, I found my way to work. I have been thinking about us having a “just because” day where we plan a day off from work to do whatever we want to do. No kids. No agenda. Just us hanging out. With so much going in our lives and around us, I just can’t help but yield to the gratefulness that I feel in my heart right now in this moment. Not entirely because my marriage did not end, but undoubtedly because we know that it was not a part of God’s plan!!!

In reflecting on the purpose of this passage of scripture, in this letter, Apostle Paul addresses the division that had taken place within the Corinthian church. There was rivalry among the various spiritual gifts and envy that caused some people to covet the spiritual gifts of others. The culture of the church was one that was filled with negativity and the loss of desire to be connected. The evil and wrong that Paul speaks of in this 6th verse is that of sexual immorality that had taken place among them between a stepson and his stepmother (1 Corinthians 5:1). Instead of them being grieved by this behavior, they were proud of the liberation to do so. Romans 6:1-2 considers their taking pride in this type of behavior a misrepresentation of grace. “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?” This is not how we appreciate God’s grace (His unmerited favor that we do not deserve and nothing that we can earn). Paul was explaining how God has provided for our salvation and defense. (Lord knows we can make things harder than it needs to be)

The church of Corinth got off course. They veered off from their purpose. If we are being honest, it happens! Life absolutely happens. But why were these things worthy of redemption? Like, if love ALWAYS protects, ALWAYS trusts, ALWAYS hopes, ALWAYS perseveres, but things like infidelity happen, then why was it even necessary for Paul to write this letter of what love is and what love is not? If love is supposed to be that safe place of shelter that never stops believing the best for others and never takes failure as defeat and never gives up and If love never fails and extends beyond our spiritual gifts that will eventually fade away, then did the great Apostle Paul waste his time? Okay, so if love endures more than our ability to speak in a heavenly language and will eventually be hushed and if love will remain long after words of knowledge are forgotten, and we fail to speak in love or place our knowledge on a pedestal, then shouldn’t the bible just end right there? (I am so glad you asked)

Absolutely not! Because somewhere in the mixture of love is forgiveness. (yes, I said the “F” word) A word that we may find offensive when we have been wronged in any way. A word that we will stand up against; toe to toe when someone has hurt us. Forgiveness may not be to the degree in which I needed to forgive but to some extent in our lives we do forgive and are forgiven because “love hides a multitude of faults.” (1 Peter 4:8) But as I live and breathe, it is a word that holds so much power, although not the easiest to put into action. In fact, I have found it to be more than just a word, but it is “the solidifying element to the wholeness of living in freedom.” While reconciliation may not always be the result, forgiveness is necessary. (IT WILL BLESS YOUR ENTIRE LIFE)

So, what did the enemy use to invade our territory that God established has husband and wife? When we assume that love fails, it is crucial that we find out why. Regardless of how emotional it may be, we must get to a place that we are willing to confront the “how did we even get here?” For us, it was division just like the church at Corinth. We veered off from cherishing and respecting what being in a marital covenant is; thus, not fully realizing the weight that marriage carries in the heart of God. (Ephesians 5:25) And yes, I say we (even though I did not commit the adultery and by no means am justifying my husband’s willful decisions) I discovered that we really did not grasp that there is an essence to being married; an order to follow if you will. (Ephesians 5) This is an order that I/we unintentionally neglected to follow which left just enough room for division to seep in.

I know it sounds all peaches and cream as I share with you all. I know it may sound like I just woke up one day and I forgave and never looked back. But that would be a whole entire lie. Truth is, I asked God to open the eyes of my heart so that I could see who my husband really was apart from what he had done. (Ephesians 1:18) There were lots of moments (Lord have mercy) that I thought love had failed me only to discover that God’s grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in my weakness. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

My dear, God’s love is a never-ending well that NEVER EVER runs dry. My prayer is that you have been enlightened about what love is and what love is not. Most importantly, if you are wrestling with forgiving someone who has hurt you, I encourage you to ask God to open the eyes of your heart and allow Holy Spirit to guide you because where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Love and Blessings,

Michelle