BBD 04.10.06 The Rule of Love
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
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04.10.06
The Rule of Love
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I
have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift
of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I
have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am
nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I
give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love
suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself,
is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not
provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the
truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all
things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail;
whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it
will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that
which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought
as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we
see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then
I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these
three; but the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
In the United States, we have finally gotten around to dealing with the
immigration issue. Five hundred thousand people demonstrated in Dallas,
Texas today along with thousands more across the country. It will be very
hard for the issue to be ignored after these demonstrations and an
expectation of even larger ones coming.
How can this situation be addressed in a way that would be pleasing to our
Lord? There is a rule that has been given to us that appears to address the
many different facets that are involved. What is that rule? It is the rule
of love. As you read these thoughts please remember that according to 1
Corinthians 13, love does not behave rudely, love does not seek its own,
love is not provoked, love is kind and love suffers long.
How can we apply the rule of love to the immigration issue? There are many
different issues within the immigration debate such as a need for workers,
separation of families, the burden on social services, and the security
issue. It is obvious that even if it were made a felony to be in this
country illegally that it would be a virtual impossibility to deport eleven
million people or even a few million, or even more of a strain to try to
incarcerate them. (Note: Please don't forget that love does not behave
rudely, love does not seek its own, love is not provoked, love is kind and
love suffers long.)
>From the view of those here illegally there is much stress about their
future in this country. However, there is also much stress upon the citizens
of the country as to their security. Using the rule of love as a guide, we
should not arbitrarily destroy the lives of those who have become
contributing members of this society. However, using the rule of love it is
reasonable to provide protection to those who are currently citizens of this
country from terrorist attack, which means securing the borders of the
country. (Note: Please don't forget that love does not behave rudely, love
does not seek its own, love is not provoked, love is kind and love suffers
long.)
My point of all of this is that by using the rule of love overly harsh words
and actions can be and should be avoided. Certainly, the rule of love would
indicate there should be no violence as some threaten. My fear is that
without the use of the rule of love which is given to us in 1 Corinthians 13
we will have an ever escalating, stressful, and dangerous problem for
everyone involved. Perhaps there can be much good to come out of all of this
if we would all strive to live our lives according to this rule of love.
Remember love does not behave rudely, love does not seek its own, love is
not provoked, love is kind and love suffers long.
One final point recommending the rule of love is that, "Love never fails."
Isn't that great? Love even comes with a guarantee!
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