(1Co 13:7 AMP) Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
What God’s love is #16: Love bears up under anything and everything from Rick Pina on Vimeo.
The word translated “bears up” in this text means:
- to protect, preserve, cover, keep secret, hide, conceal.
- to carry in the mind, to carry from one place to another; transport.
We learned back in characteristic #3 (love is kind) that love is disposed to do good unto others. We have learned through many of the characteristics that this tendency to do good should not be shaken by temporary circumstances.
- We all make mistakes and love enables us to look beyond the mistakes and continue to love the mistaken.
- Solomon said it this way, “Hatred stirs up trouble; love overlooks the wrongs that others do” (Prov 10:12 CEV).
- Peter also explained it by saying, “Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]” (1st Peter 4:8 AMP).
Let’s take it a step further:
- When you BEAR UP your brothers and sisters you are willing to help carry their burdens.
- People should be able to come to you and share their heart and their faults without the concern that you will broadcast their faults to the world.
- Love is disposed to hide or conceal the faults and imperfections of others.
Have you ever met someone who just seemed to tell it all? In Spanish we call those people “Radio Bembe;” the word “Bembe” being a reference to lips. In English I guess we could give them the radio call sign letters of “WLIP.” This is simply not the way that the Love of God operates.
So… since we all make mistakes:
1. Love hears the mistakes without judging the mistaken.
2. Love protects what it hears and never shares it without permission.
3. Love partners with the burdened and helps to cast the cares to Jesus.
