10/07/2024
LOVE REJOICETH NOT IN INIQUITY.
TEXT : 2nd Corinthians 13:1-6
Introduction: love in dictionary meaning is intense or deep feeling for someone or something.The love our anchor scripture talks about is AGAPE LOVE which Gods kind of love for humanity.This description of love reflects the kind of love that is willing to beer with other people's shortcomings. it is the kind of love that seeks the best for others even at the expense of ones own feelings. Agape love shows empathy, extends help and demonstrates good intension.
REJOICE OR REJOICETH means a feeling of joy or great delight, to be glad, happy feeling or finding pleasure on something.
INIQUITY refers to sin, wrong doing, moral transgression or injustice.
Love "REJOICETH not in INIQUITY" going by the explanations above simply means
Love does not rejoice when others fall into sin or error, love does not take pleasure in the the fault or failure of other people, and love does not feel overjoyed when it sees injustice done to someone.
OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY:
To know how we are suppose to react when we see other people falling into sin or treated unjustly.
OUTLINE 1
LOVE DOES NOT REJOICE IN SIN.
1,There is always this secret desire in the heart of man to rejoice at other people's hardship or pain especially if the person has done us wrong in the past. Jeremiah 17:9. This desire is contrary to love nature of God. Romans 5:8.
2, love seeks restoration and growth of others so we should encourage one another rather than saying ( good for you). proverb 27:17.
3, Sin is a thing if sorrow so we are not to rejoice when people fall into sin rather we should show love. Leviticus 19:18.
4, Remember that Jesus died for that fellow who has fallen to sin. Luke 19:10, 2nd PT 3:9.
5, Pray for the fallen sinner as Christ and Stephen prayed for those who killed them. Luke 23:33-34, Acts 7:60.
OUTLINE 2:
LOVE DOES NOT REJOICE IN INJUSTICE.
Agape love is the kind of love that shows empathy. Empathy is another word for sympathy, understanding, compassion etc. Empathy is the ability to sense other people's emotions, ability to imagine what someone else might be thinking.
1, Injustice grieved God. 2nd Sam. 11: 1 to end, 1st Kings 21:1-19. Our God does not support injustice so we as believers should not rejoice over it.
2, When you hear bad news about someone else, how does it make you feel as a Christian? Romans 12:15-16
3, The Bible commands us to be just. Ps 82:3, Micah 6:8.
CONCLUSION:
Apostle Paul was simply telling the church in Corinth including you and I that if we have all the gifts as recorded in 2nd Corinthians 13:1-6 but have no love, all that we have is worthless. Love is the greatest of them all 2nd Corinthians 13,:13.
