God Our Father - Part 11

Love does not rejoice in iniquity.  This is the phrase we looked at this last Sunday in our series "God our Father."  Before we review Sundays message here is a brief review of what we have covered in this series up until now.  

 So far we have seen: 

• Strong faith comes from knowing the nature of the one you are putting your trust              in.

• The nature of God is love.  Love is not just something that God does; it is who He is.  (1 John 4:8, 16)

• Jesus is the perfect expression, the exact imprint of the Father God. (Hebrews 1:3)

• God is love and this love is described in (1 Cor. 13:4-8).

• Love (God) is patient (long suffering) and kind.  We saw this love demonstrated in Jesus ministry to the Samaritan woman. (John 4:7-30; James 5:7, 8; Ps. 69:16; Ps. 103:4; Ps. 119:156; Ps. 145:9; Matt. 5:43-48).

• Next we looked at the fact that love (God) does not envy.  God (love) is pure in motivation it does not envy which is a desire with incorrect motives to have something that is possessed by another.  God does not operate this way, and we saw this in Jesus dealings with the rich young ruler.  (Matthew 19:16-22).

• Then we looked at the truth that Love (God) does not parade itself.  As the Amplified says, love (God) is not boastful or vainglorious.  Jesus showed us this in His teaching found in Matthew 11:25-30 (I am gentle and lowly in heart).

• We looked at the truth that love is not puffed up.  God is never motivated by pride; His motivations are always pure.  God cannot be tempted by evil and He does not tempt anyone with evil.  James 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God; for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil and He Himself tempts no one. AMP.  The Lord has never lost control of Himself in anger or rage because of pride.

• We looked at verse 5 which states that love (God) does not behave rudely.  What does this mean?  This means that God does not act unseemly or unbecomingly.  It means He does not act disgracefully.  Being rude is not showing courtesy or demonstrating what we call social graces.  God is never rude!  God never exhibits lack of respect!  

• Last week we looked at the second part of 1 Cor. 13:5 “love does not seek its own.”  God is not self-seeking; He is always motived by what is best for humanity.

• Love (God) is not provoked.  What does this mean?  This means that love (God) is not easily irritated or aroused to anger.  Remember He is long suffering and kind.  God (love) is not easily incited to anger.  Another way to say this is that the Lord is not easily troubled.  God is even tempered.  

• Love (God) thinks no evil.  This means that Love (God) does not take inventory of evil, He does not count over or calculate evil.   

Okay, now that you are briefly caught up on the previous messages let's review last Sunday. Love or God does not rejoice in iniquity.  Another translation of this verse states, "Love does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness,"  and another one states, "Love is never glad when others go wrong."   

So what does this mean and where do we see Jesus demonstrating this kind of love in His ministry?

Iniquity is a deed violating the law and justice of God, an act of unrighteousness.  I think most people understand what rejoicing means, but just in case it has to do with having joy. So, if love does NOT rejoice in iniquity this means that God does not find any joy in iniquity. God does not find joy in unrighteousness, He finds joy in righteousness.  Why?  God knows that it is truth not deception that sets people free.  Jesus said it this way in John 8:32 you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.  This is why God does not rejoice in iniquity.  Lies bind but truth brings freedom.

The world celebrates iniquity, but God (love) does not.  God understands that the only thing in iniquity is death.  God understands that truth sets free and freedom is worth rejoicing about or celebrating.  

Jesus demonstrates this kind of love to us in Mark 6:30-34 and Matthew 9:36. 

Scripture:  Mark 6:30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 31 And He said to them, "Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while." For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves. 33 But the multitudes saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So, He began to teach them many things. NKJV

Scripture:  Matt 9:36 But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary (distressed and troubled)  and scattered (cast down, to throw quickly), like sheep having no shepherd. NKJV    

• Notice here that the love of God was Jesus motivation, “He was moved with compassion” toward the people.  Why was He motivated in compassion toward them? Because they were sheep without a shepherd, because they were weary and scattered. They were living in ignorance, in injustice, and unrighteousness.  They were living in lies or iniquity which does not cause rejoicing, it causes people to be weary and scattered.   God’s love operating in Jesus fixes this problem by teaching these people the truth. Truth reveals righteousness which removes iniquity.  When iniquity is removed people are no longer weary, troubled, and distressed.  When iniquity is removed people are no longer scattered, they are no long cast down to the ground, they are no longer thrown by the storms (winds and waves) of the enemy in this life.

• God cannot and will not rejoice or celebrate iniquity, but in His love He will constantly work to lead people to repentance because of His goodness (Romans 2:4). 

In conclusion how do I apply this to my daily life?  First be very aware of the thoughts that come to your mind about God and make sure they are in line with what Jesus revealed about the Father (2 Cor. 10:5).  Second, boldly declare that God loves you and that you are His beloved. These two practices will develop a robust faith concerning God's heart toward you.  

In Christ, Pastor Sean