The old King James Version of the Bible has had a powerful influence on my life; it is the Bible I quoted when I learned memory verses in Sunday School; it is the Bible I studied as I learned about my Christian faith. But those words translated so long ago sometimes have clouded their meaning in my mind. A case in point: I John 4:18 clearly says (to me), "If you are afraid, your love is not perfect." What an indictment! Of course, I've always had one fear or another, so then my love for the Lord is lacking—a fine Christian I have turned out to be!
"As we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. (I John 4:17, 18 NLT, emphasis mine) This speaks of a specific fear: judgment and punishment. Sure, I'm afraid of spiders and high places and strange noises at night. But I am not afraid of punishment for I am one of God's children, living in this world, learning to experience His perfect love—not worrying about my own!
I have always been intimidated by the love chapter, I Corinthians 13. "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." (verses 4-7 NLT) Is that not beautiful? And impossible?
But a new concept is soaking into my heart. God is love, therefore it can be said that these verses describe Him—not just how He acts, but who He is. God is patient and kind! God is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude! God is not irritable! God keeps no record of being wronged! God rejoices when truth wins out! God never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful. God endures through every circumstance! Instead of looking with dismay at my well-intentioned but weak performance, I purpose to focus on experiencing His perfect love!
MaryMartha
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Scripture quotations are taken from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. United States of America. All rights reserved.
Email: mrymrtha@gmail.com
MM: Thanks for an inspiring post! The KJV Bible also had quite an impact on my early years--for better mostly, but sometimes for worse.
ReplyDeleteMoving away from performance-based religious activity and "learning to live loved" is an incredible journey, indeed.
JimT
Beautiful. And a moving way to start my day. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteJim T: "Learning to live loved" may be as important as "learning to love" is. I am pondering that! MM
ReplyDeleteInrepair: I've read some of your posts, connecting from Jim's blog. Thanks for your honest and thoughtful pages. MM
Check out the book "The Misunderstood God" by Darin Hufford...
ReplyDeletealso,the translation you quote... "God (love) keeps no record of being wronged!" is interesting. Many translations read, "love keeps no record of wrongs" and I take that to mean God doesn't keep a record of MY wrongs... that is absolute opposite of the religion I grew up with. Very freeing to really have it sink it that it was all taken care of on the cross and I "don't have to keep trying to win against someone who is no longer keeping score."
I love your insight--last sentence! Good to hear from you again! MM
ReplyDelete