The first thing that comes to mind when I think about the word bears, I imagine a big brown bear and the idea of the bear hugging me and not letting go (in a nice way, not in the bear wants to eat me kind of way), if you know me, you know I would like for animals to come closer to me so I can pet them, or for them to give me hugs.
This bears, however; means to carry the weight of, to endure (according to the dictionary).
Bears in Greek = stego (cover or protect).
This verse doesn’t say: love bears some things, or only applies when you like the person, or only applies to moms, or only applies to husbands.
Since God is love, and God is strong, He can carry the weight and endure, besides He protects and covers us. Praise God for Christ! Christ = fully God and fully human. Such great news.
By the way, the context of this love is AGAPE love. It is a SACRIFICIAL kind of love. A kind of love that unites, heals, restores, is the kind of love that a human can understand when has received a new heart. If you don’t have a new heart, you are maybe able to understand some concepts, however, to fully grasp it and apply would be impossible.
In today’s culture, love is flimsy, endurance? Probably we hear that when related to sexual intercourse (when related to love), but the idea of endurance through difficulties? (I think this word is also used when talking about exercise: hiking, running, etc., not so much when talking about relationship among humans).
A kind of love that is not self-seeking, rather seeking to protect and cover the other person (this is supernatural).
A dead heart would say:
- A human hurt me: I have the right to be resentful or I have the right to hurt that person back (or both).
- Since I am a female, my husband is not romantic with me anymore: I have the right to be disrespectful and unkind towards him.
With a new heart:
- When a human hurt me: I can forgive, pray for such person, and don’t harbor resentment.
- In a marriage, to love my husband means to help carry through difficulties: emotional, physical, staying through the pain while remain hopeful that:
- This life is so small in comparison to eternity.
- In this life we will face difficulties, yet for the regenerated human, there is always hope.
In general, we humans are not easy, you and I will disappoint someone sooner or later, in fact the closer we are, the likelihood to hurt one another increases. We ought to show love starting at home, and to show AGAPE Love, that only can happen when we have an ongoing relationship with Christ. We will be able to exercise AGAPE love among believers and extend it to the rest of the world.
By the way Love Bears all things, doesn’t mean that is blind, dumb, it does see and is aware, yet AGAPE Love has faith, it doesn’t mean that ignores difficulties, challenges, it sees beyond, it sees the potential and the possibilities.
I am finding that Biblical principles are hard to follow, in fact, as an unregenerated human – impossible. Why? Because it goes against our human nature (Remember? We humans since the moment we are born are unrighteous, sinful).
If you read until here, I wonder if your heart is feeling uncomfortable or hopeful.
If uncomfortable and mad, I strongly suggest you ask God to reveal himself to you, let Him know about your sorrows and anger, allow Him to protect and cover you.
If you are hopeful, Praise God, I am hopeful – I know how I used to be…
Love Bears All things = it doesn’t quit, doesn’t surrender, doesn’t give up.
Do you try to believe the best or give people the benefit of the doubt? Or do you try to find the worst in people?
Until next time.
At your service for God’s glory, with love and truth.
M.E
Many Hats Monica 