"Sugar Coating Love"

  Sometimes we have trouble with this little word called "love." When one examines the death of Jesus, it's not a love that has in it the act of dying. It is a redeeming death, an atoning death and a sacrificial death. This love that was shown is not some sugary coated love that many proclaim.

  It seem many cheapen the love of God and bring it down to a paltry level where every sentimental act we do is an illustration of the love of God that He has for us! This cheapen of love makes its way into the homes where parents smile by catering to their children every lisping wish. We want them to know how much they are loved in many of these instances. A love that is sugary coated, that is sentimental in many respects is not fair to the love of God for us in Christ Jesus. This love of God that many think they show their children or one another is neither found in the Old Testament or the New Testament. We are thrilled when we can give to our children or others these nice little things and while saying this, I'm not suggesting we don't do the things for them or others. What I'm trying to avoid is this sugary "stuff" that falsely goes under the name of the love of God.

  When love become more concerned for the happiness of another, that's not the love of God. The love of God is about holiness and that's what the love of God calls us to. Without the cross at the center of love it becomes a self-serving, self-centered devouring passion that is bent on pulling from a relationship personal delights by gifts showered on another or extended. We  need to do some serious bible study on love so we can recognize the real difference between the love of God and a counterfeit love.

  God's love calls us to His holiness because we have been redeemed. We walk in His love by sacrificing ourselves for the spiritual benefit of others. Sometimes we must say 'no'. Sometimes we must discipline those in sin by not participating with them as love would have it. Sometimes we must rebuke those who walk in ways that aren't Christ-like. Sometimes we must tell our children they cannot participate in something because the holiness of God is not found there despite all their friends and influences around them. These are the true faces of love. It's a redeeming love, an atoning love and a sacrificial love!