We were watching a "news program" about the decline of family values. In one segment they were interviewing a man on death row for killing his wife. He spoke the words, "I loved her so much that if I couldn't have her, no one could!" Love? Call it jealousy, a fit of rage, out of control thinking but don't call it love!
In another segment of the show they were speaking with a mother who was trying to turn her son against his father. She spoke about the uselessness of the man and couldn't stand the sight of him. (Rather amazing she chose him for her mate!) Then the words came from her mouth, "I love my son so much that I don't want to see any harm come to him from his father." In talking with the son, he was hurt, confused and struggling because he could not understand how his parents could be so hateful to one another. The mother calls it love. Call it hate, bitterness, selfishness or revenge but don't call it love! Love would never put a child in a position to choose between his father and mother.
Have you ever heard a parent say, "I love my children too much to discipline them." You love them too much? Call it lazy, not wanting to bother, not caring for the spiritual well being of your children but don't call it love!
Have you ever heard someone in the church tell you they love you only to speak evil about you behind your back? Love? Let's call it hypocrisy, slander or gossip but don't call it love!
Our view of love is sometimes distorted. Many have little understanding what love really is. "We know love by this, the He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." (I John 3:16) Love is sacrifice, doing the best for another despite how we feel. Isn't that what Jesus did? How 'loveable' were those who nailed Him to the cross, taking His life? How 'loveable' are we? This is love! Harming others, not taking serious the soul of another doing the best for their spiritual well being is not love.
I Cor. 13 gives us a detailed description of how love responds and acts. Looking out for the well being of our children (that means discipline and stop their ungodly attitudes), giving up of ourselves for the sake of another or just telling someone 'no' for their betterment, that is love in practice. Love speaks what is true and always sides with what is true. It doesn't coddle sin and sinful behavior. Love never thinks of self but only what is best for another and love doesn't keep a record of wrongs but reaches to needs no matter how someone has treated them. That's love! If someone is ungodly in their attitudes and behavior let's not call it love by siding with their actions. Let's be honest and sincere and love them by helping them out of that ungodly behavior or action because it will cost them their soul. Stop worrying if they get mad at you or how they react. Let's stop hiding things under the canopy of love that are loveless! "The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love." (I John 4:8)
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