Matthew 6:34

Verse of the Day Devotion: Matthew 6:34 

“So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” – Matthew 6:34 

One thing I believe we do too often is we look ahead and worry about things that have no correlation with today but are specifically future issues.  We have no surety of what is going to happen in the coming days.  And many times we end up worrying about things that actually never occur.  I have to say when I was younger I fell into this trap, but as I have aged, and realized that this verse is true wisdom,  I now pray every morning that God will guide me through all the problems and issues I have for that day and leave what ‘could’ happen tomorrow for tomorrow.

The idea here is that we should not be concerned about, first, ‘what may happen tomorrow.’  We have no ability to know with surety that anything will happen tomorrow.  However, our God does.  And many times, as stated above, we worry about things in the future that turn out not to happen.  The evil and troubles, the anxiety of each day as it comes is sufficient without stressing ourselves with restless cares about another day.  One day’s troubles is enough to deal with, therefore, we should deal only with the troubles we have today and then be thankful for His help.

Second, we should not be concerned about ‘what we will need tomorrow’.  Now, needs are totally different from wants.  Jesus denoted our needs as the following. “For this reason I say to you, do not be worried about your life, as to what you will eat or what you will drink; nor for your body, as to what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?”  Matthew 6:25.  These are our primary needs: food, drink and clothing.  We cannot live without food and drink, and clothing is needed in order to protect us from the elements.  Therefore, we must have these things in order to survive.

In both ideas, we actually have no need to be concerned at all.  In answer to the needs and desires, we read “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:32.  And, “O fear the Lord, you His saints; For to those who fear Him there is no want. The young lions do lack and suffer hunger; But they who seek the Lord shall not be in want of any good thing.” Psalm 34:10. It is important that we understand that if we diligently seek His kingdom, and fear and trust God in all our ways, then we have no reason to be concerned.  That is why we should only address those things that are currently happening in the present.  As our focus verse states, “So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Matthew 6:34.  And the way we should address the issues of the day are to, while trusting God for everything, pray fervantly, hear what He says and then follow His leading.  And then have faith in Him because, as Paul wrote to the church in Philippi, “And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Psalm 34:19

Verse of the Day Devotion: Psalm 34:19 

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” – Psalm 34:19  

This verse brings out a truth that many of us totally understand, “many are the afflictions of the righteous.” Another way of putting this is, “A lot of bad things happen to God’s people.”  And this is true.  Look at what happened to Jesus.  Look what happened to His disciples?  Throughout history, we see Christians enduring suffering and hardship on account of their firm belief in Christ.  A lot of these troubles happen not just because we believe, but because we live it and encourage others to do the same.  I have heard people say, ‘It does not matter what you believe, as long as you keep it to yourself.’  However, this is not what God has called us to.

Now, this verse is not saying that the afflictions of the righteous are more numerous or severe than others.  What it is saying is because we are righteous in a world that does not lean our way, we will be subject to a lot of suffering and trials.  However, we have a God who will deliver us as only He can.  The idea is not that God does not allow us to go through hard times, but that He does not allow us to be defeated by them.  This is an important distinction.  Paul, as well as all the other apostles, endured much hardship. However, through the mercy of God, they had the strength to bring them through.   

This verse should bring us much comfort, as well as a verse above, to add to the contentment that is written by David in this psalm.  “The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous And His ears are open to their cry.” Psalm 34:17.  When we are in the midst of trials, the Lord knows and sees it, and is with us through it.  “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Deuteronomy 31:8.  Not only does He deliver us, but He goes before us to prepare the way.  This brings up the question, why does He allow us to suffer at all? 

I think there are several reasons why God allows us to suffer.  First, it strengthens us.  “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-4.  We are going to suffer for the cause of Christ.  James is saying that suffering helps us to become stronger in the faith, preparing us for what the future will hold.  He will exercise our faith to strengthen it by allowing suffering, so that as persecution and trials become stronger, our faith will also become stronger.  And we are blessed when we suffer.  “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear intimidation, and do not be troubles,” 1 Peter 3:14.  And remember what Jesus told us in the beatitudes.  “Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:10.  But probably more than any other reason, if someone sees us suffer, and yet remain content knowing that God will deliver us, they will see this and may see the reality of our life and desire to give themselves also to Christ.  What a wonderful witness to see us remain strong in the faith no matter whatever hardship comes our way.

So, remain strong in the midst of trials.  Remember what David said in our focus verse, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all.” Psalm 34:19.  We will suffer and go through trials, but we have a God who loves us and will deliver us through every one of them.  Therefore, remain at peace through them all.  For only good can come from any trial we endure.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

2 Corinthians 10:17

Verse of the Day Devotion: 2 Corinthians 10:17 

“But HE WHO BOASTS IS TO BOAST IN THE LORD.” – 2 Corinthians 10:17 

One of the things we need to be careful of is boasting in ourselves and what we do.  This seems to be a recurring theme in Paul’s writings, especially in his letters to the Church of Corinth.  We know in our society that it can be common place to build up ourselves to help set us apart from others who do the same thing, such as in going for a promotion, seeking a new place of employment, or in anything where we strive to show ourselves on a higher ledge than anyone else.  This is the way the world thinks, but we as Christians should think differently.  “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2  And he then goes on with “For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” Romans 2:3.

As our focus verse states, if we do boast, we must boast in the Lord and not ourselves.  We must always remember that God is the one who uses us to do His work.  “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”  Philippians 2:13.  Our role is to submit to Him, allowing Him to lead in the work He has for us.  He is not saying He forces us, but that He leads us.  He prepares us for every task set aside for us.  What we need to do is submit.

Now this idea is very deep and complex, there are many directions that can be taken here which would require a separate paper to address thoroughly.  What I am focusing on is that any boasting that would come from our work should be directed at God and not ourselves.  Jeremiah declares “Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24.  He speaks of several areas where people then boasted of themselves, and they do today.  The wise and educated are not to boast of their wisdom and knowledge.  Those who are strong and brave are not to boast of their might, and the rich are not to boast in their wealth.  What we are to boast in has nothing to do with us, but that He understands and knows us, and that He loves us and exercises justice and righteousness, and through His Son, incredible mercy.  This should be the focus of our boasting: Him and not us. 

In closing, everything we have to boast about is because He made us the way we are, provided us with the experiences throughout our lives to prepare us for the work He has commissioned for us.  We are who we are because of Him.  “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me did not prove vain; but I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me.” 1 Corinthians 15:10  His grace made us who we are.  And in this, we should always rejoice.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Matthew 13:44

Verse of the Day Devotion: Matthew 13:44 

“The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” – Matthew 13:44

This verse addresses the idea of the importance this Christian walk has in our lives.  It speaks of a hidden treasure in a field.  A man discovers this treasure while walking. This treasure is no doubt far more than just a bag or pot of coins.  The idea is of a gold or silver mine which was found under the field, wherewith the only way to access it is to buy the field.  He considered this treasure so great and valuable and was filled with such joy, he left it as it was and goes back and sells everything he has and purchases it. 

This parable of Jesus speaks of the kingdom of God; but more specifically, salvation provided by the death of Christ.  This treasure is seen through the gospel presented, either directly by someone bringing the word to us, or via some other medium.  We all, in one way or another, have heard the  gospel.  And this gospel is of inestimable worth, having a value beyond anything we could ever imagine. But the question is do we see the value of this treasure?     

The basic idea is, are we willing to give up everything for the cause of Christ?   This can be a difficult question.  In our past lives, we all had many things that were important or of great value to us.  The question is, stated more specifically, are any of these things more valuable to us than our service and devotion to God?  Jesus in this parable states that we should be willing to sell everything, or put another way, to give up everything for Christ.  This has nothing to do with our means of salvation, since this is completely the result of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus the Christ.  Works has no part in our salvation however, it is the proof of our salvation.  “But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” James 2:18. 

There is a phrase I use to denote this idea in my life of selling all I have to attain the treasure.  “If we are not all in, then we are not In at all.”  We must be willing to put God first in every area of our life.  We must be willing to give up those things, ideas or activities that are not honoring to Him.  Also, we must make all things secondary that gets in the way of our service to God.  Now, I am not saying we cannot relax, enjoy a good book / movie or spend time with friends and family.  Jesus himself would relax in the company of His disciples and others.  He does not prevent us from enjoying these times.  However, these things must not be ungodly nor take precedence over our calling from God. 

Now, I want to close this with a message of encouragement.  God wants us to enjoy life.  His desire is that we will draw closer to Him each and every moment.  And if we put Him first, this will be the life we will lead.  He is the one who helps us be content in our service to Him and our lives in this world.  “But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.” 1 Timothy 6-8.  Godliness and obedience to His will brings contentment which is the source of God’s peace.  God wants us to enjoy our lives here, and contentment is the means by which it happens.  Give your all to God and hold back nothing.  You will be amazed at how rich and beautiful your life will become.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

Genesis 1:31

Verse of the Day Devotion: Genesis 1:31 

“God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” – Genesis 1:31 

This verse is the wrap-up of the creation of all things.  After He created the heavens and the earth and  all things on the earth.  He created light and darkness as well as the waters and every separation of the waters we see.

After this, He created all life that resides in the waters, along with the birds that fly above the earth.  He created the large animals in the sea, which the author calls the great sea monsters, that swim in the great seas.  Then He said “Let the earth bring forth living creatures after their kind: cattle and creeping things and beasts of the earth after their kind”; and it was so. God made the beasts of the earth after their kind, and the cattle after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind; and God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:1:24-25.   Then He created man.  “Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth. God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:26-27.  After this, as our focus verse says, “God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.” Genesis 1:31

After God did all this, man then fell.  All the good things that He prepared for them unfortunately was degraded through the temptation of the serpent and their acceptance of its words.  Suddenly, things were not as perfect as they were.  They were removed from the beautiful garden God had made and were not allowed to enter again.  Adam was now required to work hard for all they needed for God cursed the ground.  They would fight through weeds and thistles in order to gather their produce.  And the woman would now have increased pain in childbirth.  This was not what God originally created, but due to sin, it is what I has become.

Now, none of this was a surprise to God.  For He had a plan even before all this happened.  “All who dwell on the earth will worship him (the beast), everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.” Revelation 13:8.  Those whose names are in the Lambs Book of Life from before the beginning are those who would accept Christ as Savior.  Remember, God knows the end from the beginning. “Declaring the end from the beginning, And from ancient times things which have not been done, Saying, ‘My purpose will be established, And I will accomplish all My good pleasure” Isaiah 46:10.  Therefore, He knows whose names are there from the beginning.

So, because of all this, God will create a new Heaven and Earth for all believers.  “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea.” Revelation 21:1.  Then “and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4.  What God created in Genesis 1 and 2 was good and would have been a wonderful place had man not rebelled.  However, that which is written in Revelation 21 is far better.  Those destined for here have given everything to God and have accepted the work of Christ.  Therefore, this will be a far more wonderful place, for this is our eternal home of peace and love and joy. 

I believe that when this creation is finished, the beginning of our focus verse will occur again.  “God saw all that He had made, and behold, it was very good.” Genesis 1:31a.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

John 4:24

Verse of the Day Devotion: John 4:24 

“God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” – John 4:24 

Jesus is traveling from Judea to Galilee and verse four says something that went against the Jewish tradition.  “And He had to pass through Samaria.” John 4:4. Many Jews believed that it was absolutely wrong for them to pass through Samaria for it was populated by those who were forced to intermarry by the King of Assyria back when the ten tribes were taken captive.  I believe that John’s use of the phrase “had to pass through Samaria” was based on this being the shortest route and Jesus knew this opportunity to speak to the Samaritans was in the Father’s plan.

Now, a Samaritan woman meets Jesus at a well and He asks her for a drink.  The woman replies, “Therefore the Samaritan woman said to Him, “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) John 4:9. Jesus used this opportunity as a means to open a conversation.  After some time, she sees He could be a prophet because He knew she has had five husbands and the one she was living with now was not her husband.  Then she brings up the topic of worship.  “Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.” John 4:20. She was telling Jesus that they worshipped in the mountain that was near them, and the Jews believed that only in Jerusalem can proper worship be done.  Jesus gently corrects her by saying that a time is coming where neither place will be used.  He tells her that she worships what she does not know, for the means of salvation, Jesus, came through the Jewish line.  And then He closes with our focus verse, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:24.

What Jesus in essence is saying is that worship should be of a spiritual nature, not focused on things or rituals of men.  True worshippers worship God anytime, anywhere, and anyway that brings glory to God.  And in worshipping, they bring all their affection and attention to God.  We are not to be concerned that we wear the right clothing, bow in the proper way, or say the right words in the right way.  God is Spirit, He is everywhere at one time, so we can worship Him anywhere at any time.

And our worship should be real, and not simply a ritual.  We should reach out to our God and express to  Him how much we genuinely love Him, how much He means to us, and how much we rely on Him.  God wants us to be real with Him.  If we are hurting then express that.  And we all have different ways expressing love.  He understands this and knows our hearts.  As long as we present it in a righteous way that brings Him glory, the location and means by which we worship Him is irrelevant.  

This is what Jesus was telling her, and also is telling us.  True worship comes from our hearts, and we can express this true worship at any time in any place.  To focus on rituals takes our eyes off of Him and places them on our actions.  And since God is always near us, we do not need to wait till we get to a particular place.  What He is interested in is the fellowship between us and Him, the expression of love and adoration we have for Him, and our understanding of who He really is.  This is true worship, and it makes no difference where, when and how we do it. 

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

1 Peter 4:16

Verse of the Day Devotion: 1 Peter 4:16 

“But if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.” – 1 Peter 4:16 

This, and the verse before it, deals with suffering.  In the verse just before this we read, “Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;” 1 Peter 4:15.  We must make sure that we do not suffer because of something we did wrong.  He mentions several things in the verse such as murder or thievery which are illegal acts or meddling in the affairs of others.  In these things we should expect to suffer because we did wrong.  In the above, if we stole something that belonged to someone else, or we took the life of someone and thus denied them their future with family and friends or meddled in the affairs of another which causes them trouble, then we should expect to pay the penalty of what we have done.

However, as our focus verse states, “but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.” 1 Peter 4:16.  We should not be ashamed when we suffer for the sake of Christ.  On the contrary, we are to rejoice.  “But to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.”  1 Peter 4:13. In other words, if we share in the same type of suffering Christ endured and if it was inflicted on us for the same reasons.  Paul, in his letter to the Colossians said the following, “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions.” Colossians 1:24. What Paul is saying is that the leading desire of his soul was to be just like Christ; alike in moral character and in His suffering, as well as in Christ’s final destiny.  In fact, in his second letter to the church in Corinth he even boasts in his suffering.  “Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern? If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness.” 2 Corinthians 11:24-30. 

Are we willing to suffer for the cause of Christ?  If someone ridicules us because of our faith and belief in Jesus and what He has done for us, will we be ashamed?  If we are arrested and demanded to deny Christ in exchange for our release, will we?   If we were threatened with death if we continue to believe in and spread the good news of Christ to the world, would we back away?  Or will we stand strong and take whatever comes our way.  This is a hard question, but it was required of His disciples back in the first century and it is also required of us in our time as well.  We are seeing persecution of Christians and the church throughout the world increasing because of Christ.  It is important that we stand firm in our belief and help our brothers and sisters in Christ to do the same?  For when we do, we show the reality of our Christian walk.  It declares we have no doubt that the Son of God came down from heaven in the form of a man and gave His life to pay the penalty for our sins.  Knowing this if we are ashamed of our Christian walk, or desire to save our pride and lives rather than stand up for Christ, then we truly do not love Him or have accepted Him.  He suffered incredibly in this world in order to provide salvation to us all.  We should therefore be willing to suffer to bring this eternal message to a world that needs to hear it, and ultimately bring glory to God.  It is the least we can do.

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

1 Corinthians 13:8

Verse of the Day Devotion: 1 Corinthians 13:8 

“Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.” – 1 Corinthians 13:8

Now that Paul has completed his picture of what love truly is, he now moves on to the permanence of this true love.  And he begins by saying that love never fails.  The idea in the Greek is that it will never come to an end; it will never pass away. In fact. the very essence of God is love.   “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8.  God is love.  John also said here that if we do not love, then we cannot know God, for He is love.  And because God is eternal, love is eternal.  “Before the mountains were born Or You gave birth to the earth and the world, Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” Psalm 90:2  The phrase “from everlasting to everlasting” is saying from eternity past to eternity future.  So, love has always been and will always be because God has always been and always will be.

Now, in contrast to love, prophesies will fail.  Whether the word implies predicting future events or teaching the truth of Christianity that God has given to us,  they shall all be done away with.  Though the accurate prophecies and gifted teachings are useful today, they will be of no use in the eternal kingdom of God.  And the same can be said for the gift of tongues.  They have a good use today, for example Acts 2 and the day of Pentecost.  However, as with tongues, they will also cease.  And the last thing he brings up is knowledge.  There are some who believe this refers to human knowledge of the arts, sciences and all human knowledge in this world.  And there is some credibility in this interpretation.  However, since the first two attributes mentioned are spiritual gifts, I tend to think this refers to the gift of knowledge found earlier in this epistle.  “But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit;”  1 Corinthians 12:7-8.  This gift refers to knowledge of the scriptures as well as knowledge of the things of this age.  Both of these were given by the Holy Spirit to certain individuals to aid in our going into all the world to spread the good news.  However, once we enter the eternal realm there will be no use for these either. 

He then completes this idea with the following.  “For we know in part and we prophesy in part; but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away.”  1 Corinthians 13:9-10.  What we know, we only know  in part.  What we have now is but little knowledge even of earthly, and much less of heavenly things.  Even the prophets have been able to share only a small amount of what is to come.  But when He returns, and we enter the heavenly realm the partial knowledge goes away.  “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12.

Even though much of what we experience in this life will go away, such as prophesy, tongues, earthly knowledge, and the other spiritual gifts, love will remain forever.  It will become perfect and will never go away.  This is what we have to look forward to upon His return.  Perfect love with an eternal existence.  What could be better and more beautiful?

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

1 Corinthians 13:7

Verse of the Day Devotion: 1 Corinthians 13:7 

“Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” – 1 Corinthians 13:7

Here Paul is wrapping up His discussion on what love is.  He chooses four ideas that describe true love to our fellow man.  In each case, the verb is followed by the same object of the verb, which is “all things”.  None of these are limited to a subset of things.  They refer to all things, and this is the beauty of love as defined in chapter 13, that there is no one who is to be exempt from this love we have.  And before we look at each, I also want to point out that this is not limed to a specific time period.  The first and fourth items deal with present circumstances, while the second and third look to the future.  And they all have the idea of addressing the past by not thinking negatively of those circumstances that have occurred.

First, love bears all things.  The word translated “bears” has the idea of protecting and covering up with silence.  If this is the sense here, then it means that love is disposed to hide or conceal the faults and imperfections of others; not to give any undue publicity to them.  It means to bear the trials that are the fault of another yet concealing who did the fault and what it was.  Adam Clarke the theologian puts it this way.  “A person under the influence of this love never makes the sins, follies, faults, or imperfections of any man, the subject either of censure or conversation. He covers them as far as he can; and if alone privy to them, he retains the knowledge of them in his own bosom as far as he ought.”  We are to suffer through without letting it out.

Next, love believes all things.  We must endeavor to believe the best of everyone.  That we unsuspiciously believe all good that is not clearly false.  We should never assume a wrong that we have no clear evidence for.  It cannot mean that we make no discrimination in regard to things to be believed and are thus prone to believe something that is false.  But it must mean that in regard to the conduct of others there is a desire to put the best picture on it; to believe they intended no injury. 

Thirdly, love hopes all things.  This word hope is the same Greek word found in Hebrews 11:1.  It has the idea that when we have no evidence for believing good regarding them, that we anticipate at some point that the transgressor will repent of their wrong and we continue to do what we can to bring this about.   We must continue to  pray that God will bring a good out of the evil, including a change of heart regarding the transgressor, that they will give their life to Christ and serve Him.

And finally, love endures all things.  That we work to sustain ourselves during difficult times, and not complaining about our situation.  That we persevere under all persecutions at the hands of men; whether it be friends, enemies, or those we do not know.  If God allows it, then we must submit with perfect resignation until God delivers us from it.  We have no idea what God has in store for us or those who afflict us, but we must remember what Paul wrote to the Roman church, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.  If we truly trust and believe this, we will be able to endure much for the cause of Christ.

In closing, as our focus verse states, love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” I Corinthians 13:7.  This means that we must love all people no matter what happens.  We must bear all faults or wrongdoings that anyone does to us, keeping it to ourselves to maintain any opportunity to make things right.  Next, we are to believe good about everyone, unless there is absolute evidence to the contrary.  And we must believe that there is always hope that they will change their ways, repent for what they have done, and give themselves to Christ.  And finally, we must endure any hardship caused by another, understanding that God is in control and if He allows it, then there is a good to come from it.  We must love in such a way that we choose to endure anything so that if possible, the one who causes us to endure can be exposed to the gospel message.  These are hard things, but possible if we place our trust and our situation into God’s hands.   

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries. 

1 Corinthians 13:6

Verse of the Day Devotion: 1 Corinthians 13:6 

“Does not rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices with the truth.” – 1 Corinthians 13:6 

Paul here moves to an area that we are seeing more and more in our culture.  He is saying that love does not rejoice in unrighteousness.  It does not celebrate the vices of another.  It does not take delight when someone commits a crime or falls into any sin.  Today, when we look at our movies and even our TV programming, we see many shows that focus on the evils in society, and unfortunately, these are the ones that are the most successful.  Those regarding positivity often do not do as well.

However, this is not limited to our entertainment, but we are seeing this occurring in real life.  First, I want to make clear that the type of love being discussed here is based on agape love, which can be as charity. This type of love is not as concerned with ourselves but is more concerned with the greater good of another.  It is not born out of our emotions or feelings, but from a desire to see the best for everyone.  And this includes those that many find difficult to love.  Therefore it does not see as a positive any form of wrongdoing against anyone.  And this includes those many find difficult to love.

We may think, who rejoices in unrighteousness?  But is it not a frequent case that people who have received any kind of injury have decided to avenge themselves, or perhaps leave it to God to avenge them: causing something terrible to happen, and then consoling themselves with what appears to them evidence that God has brought revenge and do at least secretly rejoice that the man is suffering for his misdeeds?  Jesus, when He was suffering on the cross did not wish evil on those who did this.  “But Jesus was saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.” And they cast lots, dividing up His garments among themselves.” Luke 23:34.  As difficult as it can be, we are called to think the same way.  God does not call us to desire harm or evil upon them.  As Gordon D., Fee says in his commentary on 1 Corinthians, “But for the apostle, love stands on the side of the gospel and looks for redemptive mercy and justice for all, including those with whom one disagrees.”    

And lastly, we are called to rejoice in truth.  We are to rejoice with everything that is the opposite of falsehood and iniquity.  We are not to rejoice in the vices but in virtues of others.  We should be pleased when people do well when it is done in ways that are not wrong or evil.  And we should rejoice when those who are evil get saved, celebrating because  they have received salvation and have turned around: that they have accepted the truth of God through the gospel.  The truth is that God wants all to be saved.  “The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.  This should be our way of thinking.  That no matter what anyone does, we should desire their salvation, which is the greatest good we could ever wiah for anyone.   

William Funkhouser MDiv, ThD, Founder and President of True Devotion Ministries.