Robert & Kay Camenisch encouraging and equipping relationships

What is True Love Like?

See the source imageI never questioned my parents’ love, even though ours wasn’t a family that frequently said, “I love you,” or spoke any similar words of affirmation. Neither did we hug a lot, but we were family. We worked together, played together, and prayed together.

We were also spanked when we needed it. Furthermore, we straightened up if we were pushing the boundaries and Daddy cleared his throat. We didn’t want to disappoint our parents and we were secure because we knew our boundaries. In short, love flowed through our family even though it wasn’t spoken. I was blessed.

Furthermore, My husband tells me he loves me. I never have to say to him, “You told me once, but I forgot; do you love me, or do you not?” We’re a team. We’ve also experienced intimacy that is different than with my parents. Our love is special and I appreciate Valentine’s, but it’s not like we need a special holiday to confirm our love and commitment to each other.

However, our love doesn’t begin to compare to the love our heavenly Father has for us, or to the love that Jesus demonstrated by taking on the form of man, walking in the midst of sinful mankind, and hanging on a cross to carry our sin for us. His love is perfect. Pure. Dependable. Non-discriminating. Unwavering. Sacrificial. Selfless. Unfailing.

In contrast, the world seeks love that is self-fulfilling. One that feels good and satisfies personal needs or desires. The need for love is valid, but that need cannot be filled by seeking temporal, fleshly satisfaction.

God told us repeatedly to love one another, and that we’ll be known by our love, but He doesn’t sign His letter with an easy, “Love you!”

Instead, He demonstrates love in all He does. He established a world with order, beauty, and life. When sin broke the relationship between God and man, He chose a special people to be His own. When they couldn’t live up to His calling, He sent His Son to live among us to demonstrate what love looks like. He then allowed Jesus, His perfect Son, to die a cruel death to pay for our sin, to trade places with us so we could share life in relationship with Him.

He demonstrated love in life and death, through teaching, healing, and sharing truth and intimacy. He sacrificed so that we might have abundant life. True love is concerned for the other person and is willing to suffer, sacrifice, and to lay down one’s life for another’s good. God is love and He is the source of all true love.

Valentines and chocolates are fun, and it’s good to be reminded to express love to special people in our lives.

And yet, there’s more.

Lord, thank You for Your great love for us. Help us to remember Your love  and to show true love to others. Not just once a year, but always. Make me more and more like you. Help me to surrender so You can make me an instrument of love, and You can love others through me.