Love Rejoices

Love “does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6).

Not in unrighteousness

Love takes no joy in disobeying God. Some people rejoice over their sin, even take pride in it. We see it when men (or women) brag about their sexual exploits or share stories of drunken revelry. God warns against those “who rejoice in doing evil, and rejoice in the perversity of the wicked” (Proverbs 2:14).

Love doesn’t rejoice in someone else’s sins, either. Romans 1:32 condemns those who condone the wickedness of others and imitate it. Are we careful not to lend our approval to wrongdoing by participating in it, supporting it financially, or standing by in silence?

Sometimes we’re tempted to rejoice at other people’s sin because it makes us feel holier. Jesus told a story of a man who tried to exalt himself by emphasizing the shortcomings of others (Luke 18:10-14). When someone else does wrong, do you feel like congratulating yourself for being superior?

Some folks even seem glad to see others hurt as a result of sin. When some public figure gets caught up in a scandal, does it make you want to laugh at him or cry for him? And does your answer depend on who the person is? Love isn’t happy at anyone’s being lost in sin, because its reward is death (Romans 6:23). God said, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live” (Ezekiel 33:11). Our Father doesn’t rejoice when sin bears its awful fruit. How can we?

But with the truth

“This is love, that we walk according to His commandments” (2 John 6). Modern thinking often confuses love with acceptance. It insists that love means ignoring doctrinal differences, no matter how serious they are, and embracing each other in fellowship. It insists that love means accepting a person’s behavior, no matter how ungodly it is.

But spiritual compromise is not the love God describes. When confronted with false teaching and immorality, love responds with truth. It stands for what is right, even if that isn’t always pleasant (see 2 John 10-11; 2 Thessalonians 3:5-6). Love is never unkind or abusive (which I think some brethren would do well to remember), but it is unwavering in its commitment to Christ. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

Love rejoices with the truth. It delights in God’s law (Psalm 1:2). Love is happy to hear the gospel and think on it. Do you look forward to an extra Bible study or a gospel meeting with eager anticipation, or is it more like dread? Love is happy to proclaim the gospel. A person who loves God’s word will share it; it becomes a fire in his heart (Jeremiah 20:9). And love is happy to see others obey the gospel. “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth” (3 John 3).