Love With All Your Heart...series chapter 11

Love With All Your Heart

by:

Linda Driver

 

11

Love is forbearing:

Love bears up under anything and everything that comes.

 

Mike demanded perfection. Things had to be done just so, and everybody had better cooperate, right now! Mike had no tolerance for weakness. He was tough, and he expected everyone else to fall I line. When someone didn't meet his expectations, he would judge and condemn them on the spot. People tended to be quite intimidated by Mike's forceful methods in getting his way. He would railroad his plans and make sure they were carried out to the letter. Mike had no time for imperfect sinners in the church. "Shape up or ship out" was his motto. Mike had no idea how many people had left the church because of his harsh manner, and he really didn't care. He just thought he was purging out the worthless trash. Mike just insisted that everyone live up to his standards.

Then one day Mike came face to face with the claims of God's love as found in the Bible: 

 

"Love...bears all things."

1 Corinthians 13:7

 

"Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things."   

Romans 14:1

 

"Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them,

for this is the Law and the Prophets."   

 Matthew 7:12

 

"With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,"   

Ephesians 4:2

 

"Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly,

comfort the fainthearted,

 uphold the weak, be patient with all."   

 1 Thessalonians 5:14

 

    "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 

            2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ."  

 Galatians 6:1,2

 

Love accepts others just as they are without qualifications or conditions.

 

Love does not ever judge others and condemn them for their errors, faults, or weaknesses.

 

Love never uses force or tries to control, but allows others freedom to make their own decisions.

 

Love will not be forcefully opinionated and aggressive or pushy with one's ideas and plans.

 

Love is willing to give others the credit and stand in the background.

 

Love does not resent the wrong acts of others or hold grudges or bitterness against them.

 

Love does not set itself up as 'holier," but sympathizes with the weaknesses of others.

 

Love is forgiving, even to the unrepentant and to its worst enemies.

 

Love inspires, encourages, and never condemns.

 

Love promotes an atmosphere of acceptance and approval; love attracts , never repels.

 

Love seeks to lift up the weak and erring and give them hope.

 

Love never preaches down to others or makes them feel helpless or discouraged.

 

Love bears other's burdens, relating with them, crying, and praying with them.

 

Love not only bears with other's faults, but will cheerfully submit to any suffering or inconvenience that such forbearance makes necessary.