The Power of Love

We live in a time where love increasingly has lost true meaning. People casually talk about falling in and out of love, as if it was just an emotion. When it comes to marriage or just being partnered with someone, we see again the lack of work, commitment, and value to traditional understanding. What I am saying is not my opinion or meant to be political, but rather what God’s word tells us. The churches silence has created much of the problems we see today. I believe we are to love all people, but it doesn’t mean we have to agree. Love without boundaries is not true love... it gives the appearance of validating things. Traditional marriages were watered down with the concept of same sex relationships. Marriage began, as God outlined... between a man and a woman. Then there was a multitude of versions that questioned what a man and a woman really were. God created them male and female. Now, we find that more and more people are living together outside of marriage. There is no binding commitment that cements a couple together and nothing that ensures that one or the other will fight to keep things going. God’s word intimately binds love and obedience together. Love is not primarily a feeling or emotion, but rather a commitment that is to be worked on every day. I see more people use love as a weapon than a desire to build each other up. I hear, “If you loved me then you would...” or “You don’t love because you won't let me ...” When God talks of true love, He is referring to an unconditional love. God loves us in spite of what we have done. That doesn’t mean that everyone well enter heaven. Faith is a pre-requisite. I think some people love their pets more than a spouse or family. This was not ultimately how God created us. If we truly want to understand love, we need to look to 1 Corinthians 13 which states, “ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” This is the love by which we love the world. So, how are you doing with love? Father, thank You for the greatest example of love... Your Son taking our punishment so that we might live. Thank You. Amen