I Corinthians 13:4-8a
“Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant, It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, pit does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails”.
We are working our way through these verses. Today we will focus on kindness and jealousy. All of these are fruits of the Spirit. As in, if we are born again and the Holy Spirit is in us, then these traits will be in us.
Looking up the word in the dictionary, it says, “The quality of being warmhearted and considerate and humane and sympathetic.” These traits may not be natural to us. That’s ok, He’s God. He is in the miracle business. He will instill kindness in us. Peter was a rugged fisherman. Yet, God put love into him.
The cool thing about love and all it’s attributes is that they originate in God. He is kind. Romans 2:4 says, “Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?”
Going back to the definition, it says kindness is being warmhearted. God is warmhearted. A kindly old person comes to mind. That would be minus the senility or any weakness. He’s at least that, but far more. He’s also considerate. That means He knows about us and His actions toward us have full knowledge about us. It’s all good. We may not initially see it as such, but His entire plan is very considerate and good.
The next word on the list is, He is “not jealous”. Jealousy speaks of insecurity. Thinking of jealousy I see a person who feels like he’s losing someone or thinks he is. He fears he is losing love. I get the concern. I think we all have lost someone we’ve loved. God can’t be jealous as it speaks of weakness. He would feel the hurt, but not the weak part.
On a different note, the bible says that He is a jealous God. Exodus 34:14 says, “For you must not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” Isaiah 42:8 adds to that, “I am the LORD; that is My name! I will not yield My glory to another or My praise to idols.”
God wants His people to love Him with their whole hearts. We are to be singular in our devotion. We aren’t to have idols. Idols could be others god’s, but are more likely things that have our devotion or attention.
An example in my life was when I was a young believer, I sought to own a convertible mustang. I felt conviction about that, so I swore it off. In hindsight, I don’t think He wanted me to do that, just to give it to Him in His time.
Decades later I got back into old cars. I now let Him be the lord of that. I don’t get too obsessed and back off here and there. I think He is pleased with it. I feel Him helping me with it.
If I weren’t to listen to Him He would be jealous of my devotion. He wants to be lord of our lives. I am happy to yield to Him. It’s the best option. To let things or people govern my life would end up to be misery. He’s far better at it.
So, God is a jealous god, but not in the weak way, but in the singular way. The way of integrity. Thank You, God for this and than You for Your kindness.