Charity and its fruits by Jonathan Edwards (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Lecture IV (Charity disposes us meekly to bear the injuries received from others) by reading up to the paragraph beginning 'III. How that love or charity, which is the sum of the Christian spirit, will dispose us meekly to bear such injuries.'
He has three main points and we will deal with the first two this week:
(i) the various kinds of injuries that we may receive from others;
(ii) what is meant by meekly bearing such injuries;
(iii) how love will dispose us to do this.
Firstly we notice some of the various kinds of injuries that we may or do receive from others:
(i) unfairness and dishonesty;
(ii) speaking evil;
(iii) thinking evil thoughts;
(iv) evil actions.
Secondly we observe what is meant by meekly bearing such injuries. We are shown:
(i) what is the nature of bearing injuries (without revenge; with love, quietness and willingness to suffer)
(ii) why it is called long suffering love (we are to bear big injuries and for a long time).
Particularly enjoyed the encouragement to not lose quietness of mind: 'They should not only be borne without a rough behavior, but with a continuance of inward calmness and repose of spirit . When the injuries we suffer are allowed to disturb our calmness of mind, and put us into an excitement and tumult, then we cease to bear them in the true spirit of long- suffering. If the injury is permitted to discompose and disquiet us, and to break up our inward rest, we cannot enjoy ourselves, and are not in a state to engage properly in our various duties ; and especially we are not in a state for religious duties — for prayer and meditation.'
When you let the injury you have received from someone trouble your mind, you will not be happy. Love your enemy instead and you will be happy.
Next week's reading
Conclude
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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