Love—Profit

Love—Profit

Because the love of God and human love are not the same, but rather two opposites, it is therefore good to have another word in mind when the love of God is mentioned.

We can think of the word profit. .

Keep that in mind, as opposed to what is people’s taste at the moment, which can often appear to be profitable without being so.

“For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grievous; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” Heb. 12:10-11.

This is how God acts in His love.

What He does doesn’t always appear to be for our profit and joy, but afterward it proves to be just that.

We are called to partake of His love so that we can act as He acts.

David was familiar with the works of the Lord, for he prayed according to God’s will by saying, “Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. And let him reprove me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse it.” Ps. 141:5.

Solomon says in his wisdom: “Faithful [i.e., out of love] are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Prov. 27:6. “He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward [not while it lasted] than he who flatters with the tongue [and thereby appears to be loving].” Prov. 28:23. “Most men will proclaim each his own love, but who can find a faithful [i.e., someone who practices the love of God] man?” Prov. 20:6.

In 1 Corinthians 14:6, we find these enlightening words: “. . . Profit you.”

When Paul came to the churches, that is, to the souls, in the love of Christ, he came with one thing in mind: Profit you!

There is much we desire to know. There is much we desire to have revealed to us. But what does the good, loving God reveal to us? Not everything we desire, but that which is for the profit of all. 1 Cor. 12:7.

Love is the fulfillment of the law. Why is that? Because it does not commit evil against one’s neighbor; it does not harm; on the contrary, it does good to one’s neighbor. See Romans 13:10.

“All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful; all things are lawful for me, but all things do not edify. Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being.” 1 Cor. 10:23-24.

In 1 Corinthians 16:14 we read the following: “Let all that you do be done with love.” This is the same as saying, “Let all things you do be done for each other’s eternal profit!”