Love. Regardless.
A wife told her husband, “You never say anymore that you love me!” Her husband’s reply was probably consistent with what many wives experience from their husbands, “I told you at the wedding that I loved you. If I ever change my mind, I will let you know!” Real love does not act like that!
Real love moves the wife loves her husband regardless. She works quietly to make their relationship better. Her goal should be to win her husband over without a word. Her conduct will be the power (I Peter 3:1).
A wife said to her husband, “I love you!” Later in the day, she said, “You always mess up. I am going to get someone I trust to do that work.” He slinked away thinking, “She does not respect me.” Real love does not act like that!
Real love moves the husband to love his wife regardless. He should love his wife as he loves his own body (Ephesians 5:28). He should follow the example of Jesus whose love motivated His self-sacrifice (Ephesians 5:25).
A child says to a parent while walking out the door, “Love you! See you later!” Immediately however, he proceeds to go to a place, to be with friends, and to do things that he knows are not acceptable to his parents. Real love does not like that!
Real love causes the child to remember what the Bible teaches. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother, with is the first commandment with promise.” (Ephesians 6:1-2).
A parent says to a child, “I love you more than anyone else on earth does! Don’t ever forget that.” Later that same day, both mom and dad confront her over something she forgot to do. In the conversation, they tell her, “You are so scatter-brained! How are you ever going to be able to live on your own!” Real love does not act like that!
Real love causes parents to control themselves. The Bible teaches, “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4).
I Corinthians 13 is known as the love chapter. There are many things we can learn from that great passage of Scripture! One of those great lessons is this fact. Everything description of love is written in active terminology. Love is about doing, not saying.
Now, saying that we love people is certainly a good thing. However, it is absolutely required that we show people our love. An old poem says in part, “I would rather see a sermon than to hear one any day. I would rather someone walk with me than merely point the way.” And, that love should be regardless!!!!
— Mike Johnson
