Titus 2:15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

How soon into a child’s growth do we talk about abuse? If we are to grow in Christ, there should be a point where we talk about abuses. God forbid that you are in a church that hides spiritual abusers. For the great unchurched, the reason they may be out of fellowship is exactly this reason.

Unfortunately there will be some who latch onto this verse and claim it as their responsibility to correct every perceived error they see. I use the word perceive here to once again remind you that not all perceptions are true. Remember it is Jesus who is True. Jesus also is the only authority.

John 3:35 The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand.

It is true that Jesus gave His apostles authority over demons, at a time and for a purpose to declare the Kingdom of God unto salvation. Once you have accepted Jesus Christ into your heart, the author of your salvation resides with you.

Hebrews 12:2,6 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

Chastening of sin and error comes from the Lord, not men. Men who claim authority for themselves by verse 15 of Titus 2, have forgotten and forsaken verses 1 and 2.

“But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.”

Their first sign is impatience.

1 Corinthians 13:8a Love never fails; NASB

Yesterday I left of with the impression that liberty is given to love freely. Here in today’s verse I would like to explore the undying attributes of love as Paul expressed to us how love acts.

I have had some believers express to me that the attribute of forgiveness was not listed in the acts of love in 1 Corinthians 13. While the word forgiveness was not specifically listed, let me ask you how could forgiveness no be a part of some of those attributes listed?

Can verse 4 attributes; is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, exist if you cannot forgive? What of verse 7 attributes, bears all things and endures all things. Can they exist without forgiveness?

Matthew 18:21-22  Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Isn’t the fact that Jesus asks us to forgive enough justification to forgive? One of the largest abuses I see of scriptures is the cherry picking of scriptures to rationalize our sinful behavior. We do not want to let go of the bonds we are comfortable with, yet chains they are and our liberty to love is hindered.

Another attitude hindering the liberty to love is the attitude; “I have the authority.”