What is Love?

Enjoy this devotion for Married Couples about Love and Respect from Focus on the Family (focusonthefamily.com).

Bible Verse:

“We love because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Devotion:

To misjudge the source of something can be embarrassing — as in incorrectly guessing the sender of an anonymous love letter. It can also be painful — as in having the wrong tooth filled. Finally, it can even be dangerous — as in repairing a gas leak by soldering the pipe just shy of where the actual crack is.

To assume that our ability to love another person has its source in our own hearts carries with it the potential to be embarrassing, painful or dangerous. “We love because He first loved us.” While early in marriage the depth of our love may seem to thrive in the abundant delight and overflow of our own hearts, a day may come when finding a drop of love or respect in our heart for our spouse will feel impossible. Where does that leave us?

It leaves us with the call to look at Jesus — God made flesh and came among us. He is the One from whom love begins. He is the One from whom we are given both access to love and patterns with which to offer love.

Consider Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. Consider Him willingly and sinlessly going to the cross for our sins. This is what draws us out of ourselves and into the heart of Love, this place where His mercy meets our unworthiness and still, He loves us.

Standing in that place of watching Jesus, the call becomes both clear and accessible. It is then that we are to be willing to lay down our own rights and pour out that same love to the one with whom God has joined us together in covenant.

Prayer:

Father, You love us abundantly and You love us well. Draw us into a posture of attentiveness, that we might see You loving us and learn to, long to, love and respect one another with that same purity, passion, and delight. Lord, (may) we not seek to draw love from our limited wells but rather from the unlimited depths of You.

The best definition I have heard about love – the one that I share with every couple I marry – is this: “Real love is an Unconditional Commitment to an Imperfect person.” Why is this important? “Unconditional” means that it is without exceptions or conditions. There are no strings attached. It is not about “I love you If…” or “I love you Because….” It is “I love you!” This is the unconditional love that Jesus has for each one of us, and can only be accomplished with His help. “Commitment” means you are making a Choice to love. Your marriage is not driven by feelings or emotions. It is based on a commitment to the vow you made on your wedding day – to “love, honor, and cherish” until parted by death. “Imperfect” means you are not expecting perfection from your spouse. Why do we have friction in marriage that results in arguments and strife? Because we are expecting our spouse to be perfect! If you remember that your spouse is imperfect, just like you are, then you can grow together. Become more like Jesus!

---

This Sunday, May 31, we will continue our series, “Home Improvement,” at the 10:35am worship service. What does the Lord want to do in and through your marriage? This Sunday? “God’s Blueprint for Marriage” (Ephesians 5:21-33). The Apostle Paul gives this instruction: “Husbands, love your wives. Wives, love your husbands.” Let’s learn about submission: what it means and what it does not mean. Please invite someone to join you in the building or online for the Live broadcast on either Facebook (Honolulu AG) or our YouTube channel (Honolulu Assembly of God). We Livestream every Sunday to both locations and would love to have you join us!

Coming Up: Pastor Hinden Alexander will preach on June 7 and 14; please don’t miss it! June 21 is Father’s Day and all Dads in attendance will receive a gift so be sure to bring the Dad in your life with you that day.

Aloha ke Akua!