Love

 Happy Valentine’s Day conjures up all kinds of images. Its origin is not necessarily found in the Bible though its actions can, and should originate there. A form of love is found in a physical attraction but it must be deeper than that!

Three

little

words

can

make a world of difference

if spoken correctly. I love you! 

Love can be cheap but true love is true and eternal. In the English language the word love is used to describe everything from pizza to possessions.

Most relationships begin with an attraction, mostly physical. It’s unfortunate that many relationships stay at that level. One of the major reasons for divorce is infidelity. It seems as though the depth, or lack there of, is the cause of many break ups. With the divorce rate well over 60% in our North American culture, it’s no wonder the people hesitate to get married. Yet, not surprisingly mini decide to live together prior to marriage is if it’s some kind of a practice session. Nevertheless, even those relationships that end up married ultimately fail.  Practice does not make perfect in this case.

It is said that love is blind but it makes for lasting relationships. Others may ask, "What do they see in each other?" Many may have doubted. yet, my parents have over 65 years of marriage Having raised 8 children, they demonstrated commitment to family. 

God's LOVE is different. Packed in those four little letters are sacrifice, commitment, patience, and the list goes on. These qualities originate with God!

Understandably valentines day celebrations are reduced to simply an exchange of my needs and wants and not giving that it takes to be successful in marriage. Of course marriage is about uniting our hearts around a simple understanding of an unconditional exchange of commitment that may include physical attraction but deeply meaningful exchange of vows.

Scripture says that hearts are united and become one in purpose, meaningful expressions of true love, as well as a spiritual depth that is demonstrated in scripture. 

God‘s love for is unconditional. God‘s love was demonstrated by sacrifice and commitment. God‘s love is a free gift. What gods love is transformational as well. It changes our heart from just being selfish and needy to giving! 

1 John provides evidence of what true love is. First Corinthians 13 teaches us the very definition of authentic love. Ephesians 5 teachers us the depths of our commitment to love one another.

Scripture tells us that perfect love cast out fear.  Through the  scripture we also understand what true love does. It tells us not to act on selfish motivations. Scripture teaches us what a healthy marriage can be. In God‘s love letter to us, the Bible we can discover eternal values that promote lasting love through biblical truth.

Can you hear God say, "I love you"? What are you willing to give up to show true and lasting love?