Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts…(1 Corinthians 13:7).

How many story/sitcom/movie plots have revolved around the idea of a jealous lover?

Too many

Sometimes the results are hilarious; sometimes they are, quite literally, a horror show. But the lack of trust is always–always–a source of problems.

The simple truth is you can’t love someone if you don’t believe them, if you’re not willing to give the benefit of the doubt. Loving someone requires making yourself vulnerable and taking the chance that you will be hurt. 

But here’s a thing about trust: 

It’s a lot easier to trust someone who is trustworthy.

I mean, that’s pretty much what the adjective trustworthy denotes. 

And I don’t think Paul is calling us to be naive, foolish, twittling creatures who believe obvious lies and trust those who have been proven themselves to be grade A masters of evil. Nor is he teaching that we should enable someone who is enslaved to sin or mental illness because we love them. I mean, if your alcoholic brother asks you for cash, but promises that it’s for shoes not booze, do you trust him and hand over the money?

No, because being a fool for love is still being a fool.

We are called throughout Scripture to be wise, and there is no wisdom in empowering someone trapped in sickness and sin to continue their downward spiral. Frankly, there’s not much love there, either.

So where does that leave us, Beloved? 

I think we need to zoom in on the intent of this passage. Paul is not focused here on their worthiness, but on our willingness.  Are you willing, Beloved? Will you choose to believe the best, as long as wisdom and good sense allow you to?

I know, it all sounds confusing. But we are talking about love, are we not?

Happy Thursday, Beloved