Devotional for Sunday, March 27, 2017
“Love Takes No Account”
by Dona Hake
As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ we should be always thinking about the importance of walking in His perfect will for our life. As individuals He will speak to each of us differently but there are certain things that He desires we all walk in. Those things are in His Word, therefore this is why it is so important that we read and know His Word. As we grow in His Word and walk humbly before God and man we continue to see the blessing of obedience. But what about those commands that are not so easy for us. You know…the commands that really challenge our flesh, and make us realize that apart from His help and grace we can do nothing. Today I am thinking about the love chapter in First Corinthians 13. Some of the attributes within this chapter may come easy to you but what about the ones that are harder. We need to be honest with ourselves, and not make excuses for God has given His grace and strength, and He will always empower us to do that which He desires us to do.
I began to reflect back on something that happened when I was with my one Granddaughters. She wanted to study and observe all that I did, so that particular morning she saw me get ready to take my vitamins. Her sweet little eyes studied and observed all the different shapes and colors. “What’s this one for?” ….”Why do you take this one?” Some were clear and pretty and sweet, some were just plain looking, but three of them are big and pink. Oh yes…the magic color that every little girl loves…PINK!!! She watched intently as one by one I swallowed them hoping it appeared to be a somewhat good experience. I thought to myself…”wait till she sees me try to swallow the big ones!” She reached her little hand up and pointed to the big one and said, “Grandma, try this one! It’s pink! That one will be good for you!” In her mind because it was pink it would be easier to take. Believe me as I swallowed that one her face exhibited real concern for I exhibited the face you get when something is not going down all so well! I am laughing now but it makes me think how sometimes in life the right and good things we are told to do can be the hardest “pills” to swallow. Many times we want the great fruit of something but we are not willing to do what it takes or count the cost.
I think the following scripture could probably be looked at as one of those difficult “pills” to take and apply to our lives. I Corinthians 13 referred as the love chapter states all that God’s love would have us to do.
1 Corinthians 13:5
“… it takes no account of the evil done to it it
pays no attention to a suffered wrong.”
Our human natures can tempt us to have little running “accounts” in the back of our minds of things done wrong to us, hurtful words, etc. The longer the list gets the harder it is to feel at ease with that person that did a hurtful thing to you. Doing the “God thing” or right thing can be that hard pill to swallow. God well understands that this type of habitual “account keeping” will destroy even the most precious and dear relationships. He commands us to forgive and let it go. Again this is one of those “big pink pills” that are hard to swallow. Believe me, we need to take this chapter and meditate upon it and let it grow big within us. It is nourishment to our spiritual being and it will cause us to be better people. God wants us to live free from all bondage so let us release the wrongs and stay focused on loving others as He loves us! Let us live to forgive.
