Charity . . . Doth Not Behave Itself Unseemly
The spiritual life is like a garment that must be fastened with little knots of negative qualities such as love, humility, and selflessness.
A.B. Simpson emphasizes the importance of love in the Christian life, comparing it to a garment that is held together by small knots, which represent the negative qualities outlined in 1 Corinthians 13. He points out that many believers fail to embody these qualities, leading to spiritual nakedness and shame. By focusing on the 'nots' of love--such as not envying, not being puffed up, and not behaving unseemly--Christians can strengthen their spiritual wardrobe and reflect God's love more fully. Simpson encourages believers to examine their lives and ensure they are adorned with the beautiful garment of love, which is essential for a vibrant spiritual life.
Text
The graceful dress of the Hindu woman is fastened upon her person by means of a single knot. The long strip of cloth is wound around her so that it falls in soft folds like a ready-made garment. The end, however, is fastened by a little knot, and the whole thing hangs by that single fastening. So it is in the spiritual life; our habits of grace can be compared to garments. It is also true that the garment of love, which is the beautiful adorning of the child of God, is entirely fastened by little nots. If you will read First Corinthians chapter 13 with care, you will find that most of the qualities of love are purely negative.
Love . . . envieth not, love vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil.
Here are "nots" enough to hold on our spiritual wardrobe. Here also are reasons enough to explain the failure of so many, and the reason why they walk naked, or with torn garments, allowing others to see their shame. Let us look after the nots.
Sermon Outline
- I. The Spiritual Life as a Garment
- A. Habits of grace as garments
- B. The garment of love as the beautiful adorning of the child of God
- II. The Fastening of the Garment
- A. The importance of little knots
- B. The role of negative qualities in love
- III. The Failure of the Spiritual Life
- A. Reasons for failure
- B. The consequences of walking naked or with torn garments
Key Quotes
“Here are 'nots' enough to hold on our spiritual wardrobe.” — A.B. Simpson
“Here also are reasons enough to explain the failure of so many, and the reason why they walk naked, or with torn garments, allowing others to see their shame.” — A.B. Simpson
Application Points
- We must focus on the negative qualities of love in order to fasten our spiritual wardrobe.
- Failure in the spiritual life can be attributed to neglecting the little knots of negative qualities.
- Walking naked or with torn garments can be a result of not living out the negative qualities of love.