Love Believes All Things
Today, we continue with our four-part discussion focused on the Apostle Paul’s statement that “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” 1 Corinthians 13:7
The second attribute of “believes all things” is discussed in this post. Perhaps this characteristic of love is best expressed in contemporary English idiom as: “Love gives the benefit of the doubt.” Have you ever heard this expression before? I bet at some point in your life, you have given someone the benefit of the doubt.
The story we will look at this week is from Luke and involves another love encounter between Jesus and a woman of ill-repute. Jesus had been invited by a Pharisee named Simon to dinner with other religious leaders, so He was reclining at the table with the other men eating supper. A “woman of the city who was a sinner” entered the room carrying her most prized possession… an alabaster flask filled with expensive ointment. Think about how hard this was for this woman to do… knowing the men were judging her because of her disreputable lifestyle. Yet, Jesus saw something good in her. He looked past her sin to see something good.
Take a moment to read this story in Luke 7:36-50 before continuing on.
“Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven—for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little.”
In reference to our fellow Christians, love always believes the best of them. This love believes in the good of others as long as it can, and when it is forced to fear that wrong has been done, love will not readily yield to evidence but will give the accused brother or sister the benefit of many doubts…. a second chance per se. Some people habitually believe everything that is bad about others; they are not the children of love.[1]
Believes all things does not mean one is gullible but has faith in people.[2] Love believes the best of others.[3]
The love encounter between Jesus and the woman with the alabaster flask illustrated the powerful healing that can occur when we just believe in someone and give them the benefit of the doubt.
Think of someone else you know right now who is going through a rough time and needs someone to find the good in them. To give them a second chance… maybe even a third or fourth chance. Get a “Thinking of You” card and write a short note inside to the individual sharing the good qualities you have identified in them. You might also let them know how much you care, and that God loves them. Before you send the card out, spend a few minutes praying for this person asking God to watch over them, guide them, give them peace…. whatever it is they need. Then ask God to help you support this person through the rough time and love like Jesus!
