Love is the core Christian value. Christ stated that it is not only the most important command, but is the summation of all God requires of us[i]. John establishes it as the primary characteristic of a redeemed individual[ii]. All those who follow Christ bear the family likeness of his love[iii]. James calls it the royal law and its outflow true religion[iv]. Love is so central to pleasing God that someone could have all the truth, and purity, and good works in the world, and this would fall so utterly short without love, that it would be worthless[v].
Love comes from God, in fact God is characterized by love. God is love. If we love other people then we have proof that God is working in us. If we fail to love, we have no such proof[vi].
In First Corinthians chapter thirteen Paul gives a deep and practical description of what love is and what it looks like. Buried in this eloquent and masterful discussion we find the words "love thinks no evil."
Most commentators see two intents here. First is a willingness to forgive others, and let go of offense. While this is immeasurably important, it is also frequently discussed. The second intent, and I feel the primary intent, is to assume good things of people, as opposed to assuming bad or evil. In my experience, this is hardly ever talked about.
So... let’s talk about that.
Love is not judgmental or slanderous, and does not dismiss people by assuming or imagining the foul nature of their hearts. Christians are not supposed to be stupid or naive, and refuse to see evil when it surfaces; but neither are we to be a suspicious and paranoid lot constantly imagining evil in others.
Giving people the benefit of the doubt, and interpreting their actions in a good light is both kind and gracious. In the same way that it is inconsistent to claim you love someone while holding back your physical generosity from their needs; it is also inconsistent to claim you love someone while refusing your good opinion.
Insisting on thinking ill of people only serves to boost your own imagined standing by comparison. By assuming the best of people you are giving them the gift of kind regards. You are thinking of them in the same way you would like others to think of you[vii]. Love is selfless. Love gives. Love hopes.
This has far-reaching implications into Christian conduct. Let’s talk briefly about two.
Implication 1: Judging other peoples' thoughts and intentions is out! We must not arrogantly pretend we know what other people are thinking. And we must not de facto assume it is bad, and use this assumption as leverage for thinking badly of people. We have no idea what is in a person’s heart, and are advised by Scripture to therefore abstain from judgment calls[viii]. We don’t see what God sees, so we need to stop playing God. If we want to love people, then we have to give them grace—and in regards to this discussion, that means assuming well of them.
This is hate in action: that we think so much better of ourselves than of others that we assume the inferiority of their thoughts to ours.
Implication 2: This absolutely prohibits negative stereotyping. Prejudice against social, economic, or ethnic groups of people is the exact opposite of this aspect of love. It is so ungracious and judgmental that they are guilty until proven innocent of the crimes of their race, class, or type. Nothing could be farther from love than prejudice. This discussion is covered by James in the first half of chapter 2. Showing partiality to a group of people over another group is unloving and inconsistent with the gospel of Christ.
I hope this discussion is helpful in thinking through the practicalities of loving others.
Beloved, let us love one another.
Under Grace,
John Fritz
John Fritz is the Volunteer Coordinator for Thoughtful Life Ministries and the primary author of the Thoughtful Life Journal, which is published weekly from March through September. The purpose of this blog is to challenge and encourage those who have a desire to cultivate a more meaningful walk with Christ. Visit our Homepage to learn more about the ministry and our annual two-week summer Discipleship Program for teens and young adults.
[i] Matt. 22:36-40[ii] 1 John 4[iii] Quote from Michael Card based on John 13:34-35[iv] James 2:8-9; James 1:27[v] 1 Cor. 13[vi] 1 John 4:7-8[vii] Matt. 7:12[viii] 1 Cor. 4:4-5; 1 Sam. 16:6-7