LOVE BELIEVES ALL THINGS

In I Corinthians 13:1-7, the apostle Paul spoke of the various characteristics of love. Love is very difficult to define. It is easier to be understood by its characteristics and actions. One of the characteristics of love is that it “believes all things.” However, this also is not easily understood. Is love to be blind and accept all matters as being truthful? Does it mean that we should believe that black is white? Just what did Paul mean when he said that love “believes all things”? The King James Version and the American Standard Versions are identical in their translations, that is, that love “believeth all things.” Phillips' translation renders the same phrase as being love that knows “no end to its trust’”. The New English Bible: “There is no limit to its faith”. And, Williams translation: “It exercises faith in everything”. Thus, we begin to comprehend more fully this important characteristic of love that is, of having trust and confidence in the persons loved. This is a very important aspect of genuine love, of trusting in and believing in a person. This is a lesson for everyone to learn and practice. To truly love one another is to put the best construction on his/her conduct. When love exists in one’s heart, suspicion does not reside. Henry Foster wrote: “When love is judge, it will always be on the prisoner’s side.” Love causes an individual to be slow to form hasty opinions about others. Love is slow to believe things are as bad as rumor paints it. Consider for a moment a mother’s love. A neighbor comes to her and begins to relate the bad deeds done by her son. What is the first response of the mother? She asks, “Were you present when my son did these things?” “Were there witnesses to these deeds?” You see, in her motherly love, she is slow to believe such reports. Here are a few suggestions that we have gleaned from the pen of brother George Bailey that will enable us all to learn how to believe all things. Never jump to a quick conclusion. Ask yourself, “Do I know this to be true, or is it merely a think-so?” How often has fuller, later knowledge of the facts revealed that all the harsh judgments were unfounded and unfair! Never let selfish motives warp your decisions. When a man’s actions are capable of either a favorable or an unfavorable view, always take the favorable view. Always believe the one at fault is capable of better things. As Luther Burbank said, “Every weed is a possible flower.” Love has vision! Never let your faith in another be shaken nor blurred by commonplace experiences. Though faults later appear which now lie hidden, still be unmoved in your love for one another. “And in all your getting, get understanding (Proverbs 4:7). True love will cause us to believe our brother “innocent until proven guilty” rather than “guilty until proven innocent.” This great characteristic of love is much needed in the church, in our community, and in society at large.