Love Is...Not Envious

Love Is…Not Envious

Pastor Russell Henderson

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, NIV.

Envy is a very powerful and sometimes dangerous state of mind.  Biblically, the word “envy” means to burn with zeal;  to be heated or to boil with envy, hatred, or anger.  It is also a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc.  Often the word “envy” is substituted for the word “jealousy”, but it goes much deeper than jealousy.  Jealousy denotes a feeling of resentment that another has gained something that one more rightfully deserves.  Envy, on the other hand, denotes a longing to possess something awarded to or achieved by another.

The best synonym for “envy” is “covetousness”.   Envy covets the possessions of others to the point of rage and will go to any means necessary to take those things, even if it means trampling over anyone in the way.  An envious person can never contain the love of the Father, and likewise, can never give love to others.  Proverbs 14:30 tells us, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”   Envy will destroy your very life because it is closely associated with hatred and bitterness. 

Envy is so severe that it is listed as one of the main “evils” of the Bible.

For from within, out of a person's heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.  All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you." 

(Mark 7:21-23 NLT)

They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents;  they are senseless, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

(Rom 1:29-31 NIV)

Envy is placed in the same list as adultery, theft, and even murder.  Envy is so detestable to God, because the envious person has lost all dependence upon the provision of God.  He no longer trusts God for the things he needs; instead he seeks to acquire possessions through corrupt methods.  According to James 3:14 harboring envy and selfish ambition is a denial of God’s truth, and it will only lead to confusion and evil practices.  Envy is even listed in the Ten Commandments in the form of covetousness.

God is very quick to punish envy, especially when it goes against His direct and delegated authority.

In the camp they grew envious of Moses and of Aaron, who was consecrated to the LORD. The earth opened up and swallowed Dathan; it buried the company of Abiram. Fire blazed among their followers; a flame consumed the wicked

 (Psalm 106:16-18 NIV)

In Numbers 16 Korah, a Levite, and two Reubenites, Dathan and Abiram, along with 250 others became envious of Moses because of the authority that God had delegated to him.  “You have gone too far!”  they declared.  “The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is with them.  Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?” 

You see, they did not understand Moses’ God-given position, and they wanted equal status with Moses.  The Lord answered in verse 31 by causing the earth to split open.  It engulfed Dathan and Abiram along with their families.  The Lord then sent fire and consumed the 250 others.  

God is not tolerant of envy.  His design was always that we rely on Him for all of our provision.  Matthew 6 tells us that when we pray, we should pray for God to provide for our needs.  When we try to acquire the things that we need and even want through worldly means, we have fallen to envy.  The envious mind cannot contain love because he cannot think and reason clearly.  Envy is a root of bitterness (Hebrews 12:15), but the heart of love rejoices at the success and prosperity of others.

This week examine your heart.  Do you have even a trace of envy towards another?  Make an effort to pray for them and bless them.  Seek to love them through kindness and patience, and learn to be content in the blessings that you have already received.

Love Is...Kind

Love Is...Kind

Pastor Russell Henderson

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, NIV.

The second definition of love is kindness.  Kindness can best be biblically defined as being benevolent, full of integrity, merciful, and compassionate.  With those definitions in mind we can see that kindness does not just define our attitudes,  but also our behavior towards our brothers and sisters as well as our lost neighbors.  When we talk about kindness we are simply talking about showing honor, compassion, and benevolence.  Kindness could best be summed up in the Golden Rule:  “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” 

The fact is that God has been kind to us.  Many Old Testament references to kindness refer to the kindness of the Lord.

In a surge of anger I hid my face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I will have compassion on you," says the LORD your Redeemer.

(Isa 54:8 NIV)

'The LORD is slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generations.'

(Num 14:18 NASB)

So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He [is] gracious and merciful, Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.

(Joe 2:13 NKJV)

These passages show two major characteristics of the Lord’s kindness:  compassion & forgiveness.  Romans 2:4 tells us that the kindness of the Lord leads us to repentance.  The bible tells us that God is rich in kindness toward us.  He is kind because he is forgiving.   He is kind because he provides.  He is kind because he is patient.  He is kind because he is holding back his judgment so that we might have time to repent.  When it comes to kindness, the Lord is our example.

How are we to show kindness?

Romans 2, verses 1-4 addresses believers who were passing their own judgment on others, but at the same time continuing in the same types of sin.  Paul admonishes them for this behavior stating that they are actually showing contempt for God’s kindness.  We cannot claim to have love in one breath and pass judgment in the next.  Judgment and kindness do not mix.

Benevolence is another character of kindness.  In Proverbs 14:21 & 31 a blessing is pronounced on those who are benevolent to those in need.

He who despises his neighbor sins, but blessed is he who is kind to the needy.

(Pro 14:21 NIV)

He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.

(Pro 14:31 NIV)

Psalm 10:34 tells us that kindness (mercy, love, compassion) will be our crowning glory.  When all is said and done, you will be known and remembered for your loving kindness and the righteous life that you lived.

As we learn to be kind, we are displaying more of the forgiving and patient character of God.  Kindness is benevolent.  Learn to have a giving heart.  Find someone who has a need and fill it.  Kindness is merciful.  Seek to show mercy and favor to people instead of judgment—especially those who try your patience.  Kindness is full of integrity.  Above all do everything with character.  Don’t bless your brother to his face and curse him in secret.  The more kindness you give, the more you will receive from your heavenly Father.  And His kindness comes with great reward.

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

(Eph. 4:32 NKJV)

"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

(Luke 6:35 NASB)

Love Is....Patient

Love Is...Patient

Pastor Russell Henderson

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, NIV.

As we examine the biblical characteristics of love (agape), we must always keep in mind that the Bible tells us that God is love.  If God is love then all of these traits are fitting for Him as well.  We must also keep in mind that as Christians our top priority is to be like Christ.  If God is love, then Christ is love, then so should we be love, not just have love.

Love is patient.  It is interesting that love is first described as being patient.  This should slap us all in the face to some degree.  We all suffer with impatience whether it is with our spouse or kids, our co-workers, our fellow highway drivers, and even with God.  And in this microwave society our impatience is continually on the rise.

The Greek word to describe patience has also been translated as “long suffering”.  It addresses both inward and outward attitudes.  Inwardly it means to be of a long spirit, to not lose heart.  This description states that there are things you are going to have to wait for over a long period of time.  There are times when you have to plant your feet and decide that you are in this for the long haul. 

This is especially true when it comes to things that you are praying for.  Yes, there are some answers that come almost instantaneously, but there are others that will require some long-suffering.  Maybe it is the salvation of that lost loved one.  Maybe it is that much needed job promotion.  Whatever it is, it is a test of your love and devotion to God when you decide that nothing is going to move you, nothing is going to sway you, and you are going to continue in earnest prayer until you see that mountain moved.

The definition of patience not only speaks to our inward man, but also to our outward self and how we deal with those around us.  This is where the rubber meets the road.  The second part of patience is to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others;  to be mild and slow in avenging;  to be longsuffering, slow to anger, slow to punish.  Christian love is not only directed toward God, but also to our neighbor, and sometimes it is really hard to be patient with our neighbor.

There are always those few people whose personalities are the complete opposite of yours.  They are always doing something that gets on your nerves, and they can be the sole source of your frustration and anger.  But the very essence of patience is to be slow to anger and slow to punish.  When your anger rises up towards that individual, learn to recognize at that moment to collect yourself show love through patience.  This will completely upset your flesh, but your spirit will take leaps.

Patience is one of the key ingredients to unity, and God blesses unity. 

“…I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”

Ephesians 4:1-3, NIV.

“A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel.”

Proverbs 15:18, NIV.

If you want God to bless your life, seek for ways to have unity with your neighbor.  God will not only move in you, but also in others as you dwell together in unity.

Finally, we are commanded to be patient because God is patient with us.  How many times have we turned from God and went our own way.  The Lord has had every right to strike us dead on the spot, but He doesn’t because He is patient with us.  Jesus is always interceding for us (Hebrews 7:25). 

“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”

2 Peter 3:9, NIV.

Jesus is patient with you because he genuinely loves you.  His desire is for you to be saved and not condemned.  If that is the attitude He has towards you, shouldn’t you strive to have the same attitude toward others?

This week ask God to increase your patience.  I guarantee that it won’t be easy, but each time you recognize the opportunity for patience and take it you are taking on more of the love and character of your heavenly Father.

Content In Your Calling

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. Even now the reaper draws his wages, even now he harvests the crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labour.”

 John 4:34-38, NIV.

Do you know that you have been placed on this earth with a specific calling from God? Do you know what that calling is?  Jesus addresses how we should walk in our calling in the above passage.

This brief teaching moment came just after Jesus had ministered to the woman at the well in verses 7 through 26.  Jesus had come to the well tired and thirsty (v.6), and from all we know He never did get the drink that He had requested.  However, when Jesus had finished speaking to the woman and the disciples had returned, we see a new energy in Jesus.  The disciples urged Him to eat, and He stated, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 

What was Jesus referring to?  Where did He get this sudden burst of energy? We find the answer in verses 34 through 38.  Jesus said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish his work.”  Jesus was saying that as long as he did what he was called to do then the Lord would always take of him and provide for everything he needed.  He even found that he was not as tired and thirsty as he had been previously.

The next few verses begin to describe people who have taken their focus off of their calling.  “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’?”  In this statement Jesus was referring to those who continually make excuses as to why that are not doing God’s will.  People say things like, “Well, they probably won’t go all the way and pray the prayer, so I just won’t say anything.”  Or  “I just don’t know that I would have the right words to say, so I will let someone else come along and talk to them.”  Or insert all of the other excuses in the book as to why people don’t obey God’s call.

Friends, the truth is you were all placed on this earth with a specific calling, and no one can fulfill the calling like you can.  God gave you your gifts and abilities for a specific reason, and he will bless you when you step out and do his will.

Jesus said that there will be some who sow and others will reap.  Many don’t step out in their calling because they might not see the results that someone else is seeing.  When in reality, Jesus said that some have only been called to plant the seed and may never witness the harvest.  Friends, it is not your job to compare your success (or lack thereof)  with the success of others.  You cannot allow yourselves to quit when you can’t even get one person to pray a prayer while your neighbor seems to be reaping a great harvest.

If you have been called to sow and plant, then plant seeds every chance you get.  If you have been called to water the seed through kind words, acts of obedience, and encouragement then water every seed you can find.  Jesus never expected everyone to do the same thing and to reap the same harvest.  We can’t all be arms or legs or heads.  But we all have a part to play in the body of Christ.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Galatians 6:9, 10, NIV.

This verse from Galatians encourages us to continue doing God’s work and to never give up.  I can promise you one thing.  If you don’t do God’s work, you won’t see results. If you give up prematurely, you won’t reap the benefits.  But God has promised that if we are faithful to do the things to which he has called us, we will reap a harvest.  But it might just be that someone else is the reaper.  Everyone’s harvest looks different, and it is not our job to compare our harvest with another.  It is only our duty live out God’s calling on our life with fervency and urgency, and God will provide and bless.

When the woman at the well left and went back into the town, she began telling everyone about her experience with the Christ.  Some believed, but still some needed more proof.  But as the doubters came and personally heard the words of Christ they, too, believed.  The woman went home with a new-found calling, but her calling was not to convert everyone.  It was simply to testify and lead them to Christ. 

John the Baptist had a great ministry, but even he admitted that he was simply a forerunner for the Messiah.  He was content to be a water-baptizer.  He was not trying to be the Christ, nor was he trying to reinvent the baptism wheel.  He knew from the beginning that Jesus was going to come and do much greater things than he and even baptize in a new way.

Friends, let me encourage you to find out what God’s calling is for your life, and then do it.  Don’t try to imitate someone else.  Don’t seek to be someone you are not called to be.  Do what God has called you to do and be nourished and content as you fulfill his purpose.