1 Corinthians 13:7c
~2 min read
Ps Paul Cheng
“…so many promises in the Bible that make our love hopeful…”
1 Corinthians 13:7c, Charity hopeth all things.
Dear friend, have you ever felt like giving up? Have you ever said within yourself, “What is the use of serving? No one seems to understand and appreciate my services! What is the use of teaching and preaching? No one seems to hear the message! What is the use of evangelising? No one has been saved so far through my efforts! Surely, there were times when we felt like giving up. What was the thing that kept us persevering? Hope!
As long as we are alive, there is always God’s grace still available for us, and thus, there is hope. Despite Israel’s failure, there was still hope! Despite Peter’s denial, there was still hope! Despite the Corinthians’ failure, there was still hope! And despite Bethel’s shortcomings (like all the local churches, we are not perfect), however there is still hope!
There are so many promises in the Bible that make our love hopeful. Parents, if you have backslidden children, do not give up hope! Husbands and wives, if you have an unfaithful spouse, or you feel your marriage is at its breaking point, do not give up hope! Friends, if you have an unbelieving loved one, do not give up hope! As long as there is life, we will still love, because our love is hopeful.
Our love is based on the object of our faith, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will never forget nor forsake us. The One who saved us through His death and the shedding of His precious blood on the cross of Calvary, and continues to save us through the sanctifying work of His Spirit and Word, and one day, He will completely and perfectly save us in our glorification.
Recently, I watched a documentary about a dog owner who had passed away, and after the funeral, everyone left the burial ground. But the dog remained there waiting. For days, months and years, that dog would not leave the grave site. Because that was the place, he last saw his master being buried, and he was waiting for his master to return. He would not give up the hope that someday they would be reunited again. If a dog’s love for his master can produce that kind of hope, how much more should our love produce for our Master?
Three times in the last chapter of the last book of the Bible, Revelation, Jesus said, “Behold, I come quickly!” Our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, is coming for us soon. His return is imminent.
When Jesus was asked, “What is the greatest commandment?” He answered, “And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these (Mark 12:30-31).” As believers, we will and must persevere in our love for God and man, by clinging on this blessed wonderful hope that our Lord Jesus will come for us soon! And until He comes, love hopeth all things!
In Christ,
Pastor Paul Cheng
1 CORINTHIANS 13The Qualities Of Love (Part 1) — Love Suffereth LongThe Qualities Of Love (Part 1) — Love Suffereth Long1 Corinthians 13:4a
Introduction To The Qualities Of LoveIntroduction To The Qualities Of Love1 Corinthians 13
What Has Love Got To Do With Spiritual Gifts?What Has Love Got To Do With Spiritual Gifts?1 Corinthians 13:1-3
The Qualities Of Love (Part 2) — Love Is KindThe Qualities Of Love (Part 2) — Love Is KindCorinthians 13:4b
The Qualities Of Love (Part 5) — Love Is Not Puffed UpThe Qualities Of Love (Part 5) — Love Is Not Puffed Up1 Corinthians 13:4e
The Qualities Of Love (Part 4) — Love Vaunteth Not ItselfThe Qualities Of Love (Part 4) — Love Vaunteth Not Itself1 Corinthians 13:4d
The Qualities Of Love (Part 3) — Love Envieth NotThe Qualities Of Love (Part 3) — Love Envieth NotCorinthians 13:4c
The Qualities Of Love (Part 9) — Love Thinketh No EvilThe Qualities Of Love (Part 9) — Love Thinketh No Evil1 Corinthians 13:5d
The Qualities Of Love (Part 7) — Love Is Not SelfishThe Qualities Of Love (Part 7) — Love Is Not Selfish1 Corinthians 13:5b
The Qualities Of Love (Part 8) — Love Is Not Easily ProvokedThe Qualities Of Love (Part 8) — Love Is Not Easily Provoked1 Corinthians 13:5c
The Qualities Of Love (Part 6) — Love Does Not MisbehaveThe Qualities Of Love (Part 6) — Love Does Not Misbehave1 Corinthians 13:5a
The Qualities Of Love (Part 10) — Love Rejoiceth Not In IniquityThe Qualities Of Love (Part 10) — Love Rejoiceth Not In Iniquity1 Corinthians 13:6a
The Qualities Of Love (Part 11) — Love Rejoiceth In The TruthThe Qualities Of Love (Part 11) — Love Rejoiceth In The Truth1 Corinthians 13:6b
The Qualities Of Love (Part 15) — Love Endureth All ThingsThe Qualities Of Love (Part 15) — Love Endureth All Things1 Corinthians 13:7d
The Qualities Of Love (Part 14) — Love Hopeth All ThingsThe Qualities Of Love (Part 14) — Love Hopeth All Things1 Corinthians 13:7c
The Qualities Of Love (Part 12) — Love Bears All ThingsThe Qualities Of Love (Part 12) — Love Bears All Things1 Corinthians 13:7a
The Qualities Of Love (Part 13) — Love Believeth All ThingsThe Qualities Of Love (Part 13) — Love Believeth All Things1 Corinthians 13:7b