Charity Sings

A man that has friends must show himself friendly – Proverbs 18:24a

Conservative Christians have been known to ridicule some of their more liberal counterparts by suggesting that they place too much emphasis on “Love”. However, I suggest that such ridicule is unwarranted. The KJV word for “Love” is “Charity”. Charity is a sacrificial love which is why the modern-day meaning of “charity” is equated with “giving”. Accordingly, when you see “charity” in the passage below, it should be understood to mean “sacrificial love”:

Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity vaunts not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Charity never fails … – 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

And now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity**. – 1 Corinthians 13:13**

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. – 1 Corinthians 13:1

This is of paramount importance: If we were required to listen to a really bad band, the most irritating sound might emanate from the drummer. We should take a cue here from “the liberals” and realize that without love, we sound as a really bad drummer striking his cymbal repeatedly without rhythm.

In short, charity sings a chorus that is far more lovely than unsung preaching. ** **Recall in John 3:16: God so loved the world “that he gave” …

Christians, we have a friend in Jesus! Let’s be likewise minded as he is by demonstrating charity in our earthly friendships.

there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. – Proverbs 18:24b