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October 10, 2024
- By Ed Powell
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"Love rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth." 1 Corinthians 13:6
As a Christian, it is of uttermost importance to deal with iniquity according to the principles and truth we find in God's Word. Iniquity is refusing the influence of the Holy Spirit to bring us back to the spiritual condition that was man's creative relationship with God in the beginning, before man sinned. Iniquity is [great] injustice or [extreme] immorality, or a [grossly] immoral act.
In God's eyes these gross sins are no more sinful than an unforgiving spirit, resentment, bitterness, greed, pride, jealousy, and any number of other sins we contend with as believers. The "consequences," or the "outgoing ripples" of these sins, have a devastating effect, not only on ourselves, but on others. God's love does not rejoice in iniquity...it deplores and condemns such ungodly behavior by a believer.
We find this malignant disposition in many, who take pleasure in the fall or disgrace of another. This is the very essence of malice. Do we take satisfaction in the fall or degradation of another, even a brother in the Lord? Suppose you get involved in circulating a rumor of someone who degrades himself. After much talk and disgusting reports in which you are a part, discussing part of the "news"...then you find that all of this corrupt talk is untrue. Do you feel the same pleasure in having your own judgment rectified as you did in participating in the disgusting reports?
It seems we are ready enough to propagate the story of the fall and sin, but when the truth is known, we seem to let truth find its way as best it can. There is not the same gratification to our corrupt nature in believing and circulating the bad one, as when crediting and spreading the good. Iniquity is in the same "garbage can" as jealousy, envy, pride, hate, anger, false accusations, etc. These should have no place in the life of a believer. Paul says, "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ" (2 Corinthians 10:5). True godly love does not rejoice in iniquity.
Feel the heartbeat of David when iniquity abounded on every side. He said, "Search me O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24).
"Love rejoices in truth." The one crystal characteristic of truth is, it is transparent, it has nothing to hide, it is not hypocritical, it stands upon its own integrity. When God's love is embraced, it opens up our lives to the ministry of the Holy Spirit. He has full course to reveal, instruct, lead, and fill our lives with truth, so it can flow freely through us unto others. Love rejoices in truth because it enables us to have a clear conscious, no guilt feelings, no hidden vices or vanity and enables us to stand without fear or rejection.
God's love rejoices in truth because it enables us to have access to the throne of God and sincere communication with God, and opens the gates for God to answer our prayers. Love rejoices in truth because it enables us to walk in abiding companionship with the Lord. Love rejoices in truth because "You shall know the truth, and the truth will make you free" (John 8:32). May His Love have free access and control of the "whole of our life"!
"Love rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in truth."
© 2007 by Ed Powell. Used by permission.
This page was reprinted by permission from: http://litmin.org/dare.php?date=2024-10-10&print=1
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