BIBLICAL FATHERHOOD--THE GREAT NEED OF THE WORLD 7z-25) HE HAS A GENERATION MINDSET-- ROLE MODELING LOVE THAT "ENDURES ALL THINGS" (1 Corinthians 13:7) continued.

Men, the love that God has for us and wants us to role model to our family, as well as to our fellow man, is a love that endures all testings and trials that come our way. We live in a time of epidemic marriage breakdown and the love of many Christians is waxing cold, not only toward their spouse, but also toward Christ (Matthew 24:12).

Men, our children desperately need parents who will stick to their love for one another "come what may." We may have to endure great financial loss, rising health care costs, the loss of employment, friends who have turn against us, or perhaps the loss of a loved one. All these losses can be most difficult to endure, but none should be allowed to in anyway limit our love and commitment to one another. In fact, all these trials can be used to draw us close to each other and to become more dependent on one another for mutual encouragement and wisdom.

I do not believe that God expects a woman to endure a violent husband who could do her physical or mental harm. Nor does God expect a woman to endure a husband who perverts his marriage relationship with pornography, homosexuality, or other sexual perversion. However, there are such things as lacking wisdom and certain immaturities that God calls us to endure with one another. We are fallen creatures. We all make mistakes and blow it from time to time. We must make allowances and not expect perfection from one another.

The love that "endures all things" is talking about the trials that come our way in life that will not compromise our personal salvation and righteousness. We are told to "resist the devil," not to endure him!

Be encouraged.

Colin Campbell