Love as Brethren – What do you rejoice in?

Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. The Bible tells us that:

Primary Text

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren …” 1 Peter 3v8 (KJV)

1 Corinthians 13v6 tells us that love “Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;” (KJV); “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” (NIV); “It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.” (NLT); “It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.” (AMP). God detests iniquity, and sin. Love does not rejoice when iniquity wins out. It is not joyful when evil prevails. Galatians 5v19-21 (NIV) reveals some of the works of the flesh, things that are manifest in the life not controlled by the Spirit of God: “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” These things, we shouldn’t rejoice in. On the other hand, the apostle John shows how he rejoiced in truth winning out: 2 John 1v4 (KJV) “I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.” and 3 John 1v3, (AMP) says “In fact, I greatly rejoiced when [some of] the brethren from time to time arrived and spoke [so highly] of the sincerity and fidelity of your life, as indeed you do live in the Truth [the whole Gospel presents].” To rejoice is

“to be glad; take delight …” (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/rejoice?s=t). We can take delight when Jesus is being glorified, when the Truth of God wins out. On the other hand, we do not rejoice in evil or iniquity.

Supplementary Text

“Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? nothwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.” Philippians 1v15-18 (KJV)

Father, I thank You for Your love for me. Father, help me to rejoice over truth and not evil, in Jesus name, amen.