LOVE DOES NOT BOAST. FROM "HIS" PERSPECTIVE LOVE WILL NEVER SAY "AFTER ALL i'VE DONE; YOU OWE ME"

                                                   

HOLY LOVE DOES NOT BOAST

“…Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, It is not easily angered, It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres, Love never fails…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV).

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“…God is LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…God is [REAL]… LOVE…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…LOVE …DOES NOT BOAST…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV).

One of the meanings of boast is to “praise” or render “hallelujah” to one’s self. However, the scripture discourages boasting about one’s self. “… Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips…” (Proverbs 27:2 KJV).

God does not brag or boast about himself. He will tell you who he is and introduce himself to you, but he won’t BOAST. “… “I AM WHO I AM ’ This is My name forever, and this is My memorial-name to all generations…” (Exodus 3:14-15 NASB).  “…I am the Lord, the God of all flesh…” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). "… I am  the Alpha and the Omega," says the Lord God…" (Revelation 1:8 NASB). “… I, the LORD … the first, and with the last. I am He...'" (Isaiah 41:4 NASB).  “...The lord is GOOD…there is none good but one, that is, God” (Nahum 1:7 & Mark 10:18 KJV). “…God is love…” (1 John 4:4-8 KJV). “…  I, the Lord, am your healer…” (Exodus 15:26). “… I AM HOLY…” (1 Peter 1:14-16 KJV).  And, “There is none holy as the Lord…” (1 Samuel 2:2 KJV). “ “…God is the one who provides …” (2 Corinthians 9:10-13 KJV). “… God will supply all [your need]…” (Philippians 4:19 NASB). “… [God] … will keep in perfect peace all who trust in … [him] … all whose thoughts are fixed on … [him!]” (Isaiah 26:3 NLT). “….The Lord is “my” shepherd ….” (PSALM 23:1-3 NLT). “…The LORD is MY rock and MY fortress and MY deliverer, MY GOD, MY rock, in whom I take refuge; MY shield and the horn of MY salvation, MY stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB). “…God with us…” (Matthew 1:23 NASB). “…I AM WITH… [YOU] and  … I WILL NOT LEAVE [YOU] …." (Genesis 28:15 ASV). God does NOT need to boast!

Thus, God does not attempt to rally accolades for his MANY gestures of HOLY LOVE. God’s only agenda is HOLY LOVE. “…NOT that we loved God, but that HE LOVED US...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “….HE FIRST LOVED US…” (1 John 4:19 ASV). “…God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us…” (Romans 5:5 NIV).

God’s motive is not to bring attention to his many acts of HOLY LOVE toward his loved ones by bragging or boasting about ALL he’s done or sacrificed for them. “… [God, through Christ]… freely [gives] … us all things?...” (Romans 8:32 KJV). “…By GRACE [you are]… saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the [FREE]…gift of God…” (EPHESIANS 2:8-9 KJV).  “… since it is through God’s kindness … it is not by [your]… good works. God’s grace …[makes all his actions toward us]…—free and undeserved…” (Romans 11:6 NLT).

ALL of God’s actions are done strictly as an expression or demonstration of his HOLY LOVE. “… the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers…” (Deuteronomy 7:8 NASB). “… Blessed be the Lord your God who delighted in you to set you on the throne of Israel; because the Lord loved Israel forever…” (1 Kings 10:9 NASB). “… Because the Lord loves His people …” (2 Chronicles 2:11 NASB). “ … your God loved Israel establishing them forever …”(2 Chronicles 9:8 NASB). In “… His love and in His mercy He redeemed them, And He lifted them and carried them all the days of old…” (Isaiah 63:9 NASB). “… I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness…” (Jeremiah 31:3 NASB). “… Even as the Lord loves the sons of Israel, though they turn to other gods…” (Hosea 3:1 NASB). “ … I led them … with bonds of love, And I became to them as one who lifts the yoke from their jaws; And I bent down and fed them…” (Hosea 11:4 NASB).

God does not express or demonstrate his HOLY LOVE to showcase his abilities as the GREATEST love of all. “…LOVE …DOES NOT BOAST…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV). “… God’s kindness …  [and]…. God’s grace …[makes all his actions toward us]…—free and undeserved…” (Romans 11:6 NLT).

God’s intention is “NOT” to spotlight his gestures of love toward his people nor magnify himself in any way. Jesus did “…not come to be served, but to serve….” (Matthew 20:28 NIV). “For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will but the will of him who that me…” (John 6:38 KJV). “…Father …not My will, but Yours be done" (Luke 22:42-43 NIV).

God through Christ focused on loving mankind and not trying to gain recognition for himself. “…I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love …[toward you]…” (Jeremiah 9:23-24 NLT). “…God … [demonstrated] … his love toward … [you], in that, while … [you] … were yet sinners, Christ DIED FOR US…” (Romans 5:8 KJV). “….Christ pleased not himself…” (Romans 15:3 KJV). “… he endured the cross, disregarding its shame…” (Hebrews 12:2 NLT). Jesus said, “… I lay down my life... No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. …” (John 10:17-18 KJV).

If God were to brag or boast about anything he DOES OR DID for you, it would NOT be HOLY LOVE. “…LOVE …DOES NOT BOAST…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV).

God has every reason to BOAST about WHO he is and WHAT he does more than anything else that exists! … There is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.…” (Jeremiah 10:6 KJV). “…. Is there any thing too hard for [God]…?” (Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). “… Sing unto the LORD; for he hath done excellent things…” (Isaiah 12:3 KJV).

Just because God is GOD he does not use that - in the LOVING, covenant relationship with the believer - as a REASON to BOAST or BRAG about his GREATNESS or the many GREAT things he has done. “…LOVE …DOES NOT BOAST…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV). “… God’s kindness …  [and]…. God’s grace …[makes all his actions toward us]…—free and undeserved…” (Romans 11:6 NLT).

“…Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because HE DELIGHTETH IN MERCY…” (Micah 7:18 KJV “… in him we live, and move, and have our being… “  (Acts 17:28 KJV). “… HE Himself GIVES to all people LIFE and BREATH and all things…” (Acts 17:25 NASB).  “…BLESSED be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who HATH blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ…” (Ephesians 1:3 KJV). “… he hath done marvellous things…” (Psalm 98:1 KJV).

God’s people forget about him and abandoned him all the time. Yet, he still attempts to express and demonstrate his HOLY LOVE over and over by reminding them of it, but “NOT” in the fashion of boasting. “…when you had eaten and were satisfied, you became proud and FORGOT ME….” (Hosea 13:6 NLT). “… [YOU]… FORGOT all about ME,” says the Lord…” (Hosea 2:13 NLT). “…For years on end my people have FORGOTten ME…” (Jeremiah 2:32 NLT).   “…my people have stubborn and rebellious hearts. They have turned away and ABANDONED me….” (JEREMIAH 5:23 NLT). “…They ABANDONED ME and did not obey my word….” (JEREMIAH 16:11 NLT).

 “….They ABANDONED the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of Egypt. They went after other gods (IDOLS)…” (Judges 2:12 NLT).

“…They ABANDONED the Lord to serve Baal (THEIR HUMAN DESIRES)…” (Judges 2:13 NLT). “….They ABANDONED the Lord and no longer served him at all…” (Judges 10:6 NLT).

“…Ever since I brought them from Egypt they have continually ABANDONED ME and followed other gods (HUMAN DESIRE)…” (1 Samuel 8:8 NLT). “…He ABANDONED Lord, the God of his ancestors, and he refused to follow the Lord’s ways…” (2 Kings 21:22 NLT).

“…For my people have ABANDONED ME and offered sacrifices to pagan gods (HUMAN DESIRES)…” (2 Kings 22:17 NLT). “…He ABANDONED the Law of the Lord, and all Israel followed him in this sin…” (2 Chronicles 12:1 NLT).

“…They ABANDONED the Lord… they turned their backs on him….” (2 Chronicles 29:6 NLT).

God responds to the forgetfulness and abandonment of his people in many ways, but not in the manner of bragging or boasting. God simple REMINDS them he has “….loved [them]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). “…You are honored … [and he]… love[s]… you (values you)…” (Isaiah 43:4 NLT).  “…The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me (my relationship with them) with contempt (disrespect)?” (Daniel 14:11 NIV). “…My people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts …” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). The prophet told Israel: “….Do not forget that [God]… led you through ... He gave you water …He fed you…. He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful ...” (Deuteronomy 8:17-17 NLT). “… [He has]…loved [you]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). “…What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?...” (1 Corinthians 4:7 NLT). “… Everything we have has come from [God] …” (1 Chronicles 29:14 NLT). “… [He has]…loved [you]...with an everlasting love….” (Jeremiah 31:3 KJV). “…But the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires…” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).

“…LOVE …DOES NOT BOAST…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV). “… God’s kindness …  [and]…. God’s grace …[makes all his actions toward us]…—free and undeserved…” (Romans 11:6 NLT).

It was COSTLY for God to express, demonstrate, and communicate his HOLY LOVE to you, but if you CHOOSE to walk away, to forget him, or abandon him; you don’t OWE him NOTHING. “…There is …no condemnation for those who are “in” Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1 NIV). “….the [FREE]… gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…the FREE gift…” (Romans 5:15 KJV). “…God’s grace …[makes all his actions of HOLY LOVE toward us]…—free and undeserved…” (Romans 11:6 NLT). “…LOVE …DOES NOT BOAST…” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 NIV).