LOVE ALWAYS
Terry R. Baughman
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6).
Trust is an incredible abstraction. By its definition it is a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. Trust involves an inward conviction of confidence placed in a person or an idea.
Love always trusts. Life is such that there will always be days of doubt and opportunities to give in to despair. In those times we resort to trust and retreat to the foundation of our faith. When we are tempted to surrender to doubt, love will sustain us and enable us to continue to believe.
Faith is the bedrock of our relationship with God and essential to our salvation. So much so that the writer of Hebrews said, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is …” (Hebrews 11:6). When our faith is shaken, trust is the only thing that keeps us from falling. We know the source of our salvation and the object of our confidence. Paul said, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12).
Love “always trusts,” according to the NIV. The same passage is translated, “believes all things,” in the NKJ (1 Corinthians 13:7). This phrase taken in isolation sounds like there is a loose boundary of faith; that we can believe any ideology, philosophy, or religion. Postmodernism has embraced that idea and describe truth as this fluid and subjective idea that has no defined foundation. In this definition truth is different for each one, however, and whatever you accept it to be. That is not the intended understanding for the verse.
Taken in context of the chapter an accurate definition becomes clearer. There is listed a full range of the qualities of love. Among those, love, “rejoices in the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). Truth is preceded by a definite article. It is “the truth,” not “a truth” or “your truth” but a singular, universal truth. The truth is embodied by Jesus Christ, for He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). It is on this foundational understanding that we can say, “Love believes all things.” That is, love believes all things true, all things based upon the eternal truth of God’s Word. Only upon this truth can we faithfully trust.
So completely and unequivocally can we trust in God that all of our lives are subject to the grid of His guidance. The truth of the Proverb is revealed, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, … and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6). As we pursue God, love Him, and trust His direction, with great confidence we are assured of His constant leading. “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives” (Psalm 37:23 NLT). It is a sweet and special relationship with a God in whom we can trust. David exulted, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8).
As we walk with God in a deepening relationship of fellowship in His love and grace we find a greater source of faith. We learn the inestimable value of trust. Love always trusts!
Scripture:
“Love … rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.…” (1 Corinthians 13:6–8 NIV).
Terry R. Baughman
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6).
Trust is an incredible abstraction. By its definition it is a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. Trust involves an inward conviction of confidence placed in a person or an idea.
Love always trusts. Life is such that there will always be days of doubt and opportunities to give in to despair. In those times we resort to trust and retreat to the foundation of our faith. When we are tempted to surrender to doubt, love will sustain us and enable us to continue to believe.
Faith is the bedrock of our relationship with God and essential to our salvation. So much so that the writer of Hebrews said, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is …” (Hebrews 11:6). When our faith is shaken, trust is the only thing that keeps us from falling. We know the source of our salvation and the object of our confidence. Paul said, “I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12).
Love “always trusts,” according to the NIV. The same passage is translated, “believes all things,” in the NKJ (1 Corinthians 13:7). This phrase taken in isolation sounds like there is a loose boundary of faith; that we can believe any ideology, philosophy, or religion. Postmodernism has embraced that idea and describe truth as this fluid and subjective idea that has no defined foundation. In this definition truth is different for each one, however, and whatever you accept it to be. That is not the intended understanding for the verse.
Taken in context of the chapter an accurate definition becomes clearer. There is listed a full range of the qualities of love. Among those, love, “rejoices in the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6). Truth is preceded by a definite article. It is “the truth,” not “a truth” or “your truth” but a singular, universal truth. The truth is embodied by Jesus Christ, for He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6). It is on this foundational understanding that we can say, “Love believes all things.” That is, love believes all things true, all things based upon the eternal truth of God’s Word. Only upon this truth can we faithfully trust.
So completely and unequivocally can we trust in God that all of our lives are subject to the grid of His guidance. The truth of the Proverb is revealed, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, … and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6). As we pursue God, love Him, and trust His direction, with great confidence we are assured of His constant leading. “The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives” (Psalm 37:23 NLT). It is a sweet and special relationship with a God in whom we can trust. David exulted, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8).
As we walk with God in a deepening relationship of fellowship in His love and grace we find a greater source of faith. We learn the inestimable value of trust. Love always trusts!
Scripture:
“Love … rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.…” (1 Corinthians 13:6–8 NIV).
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