Love That Yields, Mercy Over Judgment

Summary

Real love, the preacher says, is not revealed when we stand our ground or step on someone's foot, but when we step back and give way to one another. At home and in every sphere of life, choosing to yield rather than to demand our rights is God's own wisdom, and both heaven and people honor it. If something must be given up or even paid for, it is better to let it go than to insist on what is ours.

We often warn each other not to be offended, but the Holy Spirit shows the other side of the coin too: we must take care not to offend or wound others, and instead to help and build them up. The preacher recalls a joyful Pentecostal brother who was eagerly witnessing, until he saw him buy a cup of coffee and instantly judged him - how can a believer drink coffee? Rather than argue, the preacher quietly set the cup down.

People will write you off over eating meat or drinking coffee, but we should not let our good be spoken of as evil. Like the Pharisees who memorized the Scriptures by heart yet, as Christ said, had no love of God in them, knowledge without mercy is empty. God desires mercy: whoever serves his neighbor in love is good in God's eyes and worthy of honor.

Key Points

• Love is revealed when we step back and give way to one another, not when we insist on our own way.
• Yielding at home and in every sphere of life is the wisdom of God that both heaven and people approve.
• Do not chase after your own rights; it is often better to give something up than to demand it.
• Guard not only against being offended, but against offending, wounding, or stumbling others.
• Refuse to judge people over food, drink, or outward things, and do not let your good be spoken of as evil.
• Memorizing Scripture like a Pharisee means nothing if the love of God is missing from the heart.
• God desires mercy: the one who serves his neighbor in love is honored by God and by people.