1 Corinthians 13:4, Charity Vaunteth Not Itself

1 Corinthians 13:4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself …

“Charity vaunteth not itself” describes this aspect of God’s love that is void of haughtiness, void of any inkling of pride and boastfulness. “To vaunt” is “to boast”, “to make a vain display of one’s own worth”. Such boasting is vain and empty. The heart that is at peace with God does not need to elevate itself. The godly man that possesses God’s love has not the rebellious streak in the heart to elevate himself against his God, manifested by the need to elevate oneself over other men. This sin of pride began not on earth but in heaven when the most beautiful of God’s angel fell as a result of pride.

Lucifer, whose name means “light bearer”, became Satan, “prince of darkness”, by five sinful thoughts to usurp the glory due to his Creator. Lucifer was cast out of heaven. We read this in Isaiah 14:12-15. Notice the five thoughts of self-exaltation that result in his fall, “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.” Satan loved himself more than he loved his Creator. There is not a reverential fear of God in his heart. He allowed the fear of God to depart from his heart in that moment of folly.

When we have been washed by the blood of the Lamb, we possess the power to humble ourselves before God. This we do by putting our Lord first, letting Him have the pre-eminence in every area of our life. Amen.