Love Never Fails

One of the most often requested readings for weddings is from 1 Corinthians. 

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails." 

                                                       (1 Cor 13:4-8a NIV)

This is good advice for two people who are about to commit their whole earthly lives to one another. Love does not fail. However, due to our sinful natures we often fail to love. Marriages fall apart because we love ourselves or someone or something else more than the one we have committed to spend the rest of our lives with. Other relationships fail; as well, because of a lack of love.

The greatest gifts, says St. Paul, is love. God has given us love in His Son, Jesus Christ. There is no greater love than a love that is willing die for others, as Jesus died for us. (John 15:13) We respond to His love by sharing his love with others. The love that is rooted in the loved of God does not fail. It can move mountains and crush molehills. The love of God inspires us to inspire others with His love.

As a friend of mine often says: "Share the love!"

God's Peace - Pr. J.

Real Love Never Ends

"Love never ends..." (Corinthians 13:8)

Young people have enough trouble growing up without having to endure the heartache of multiple broken relationships. It seems that teens and young adults (as well as way too many older adults) today fall in and out of love as fast you can blink an eye. At least, they will tell you that they were in love. It would be helpful to avoid these heartaches when beginning a new relationship to ask whether it is love or lust. Lust goes away after a time; sometimes after one night. Love never ends.

It breaks my heart to see so many young hearts broken because of the misperception that love and sex are the same thing. This is being subversively taught, not just by the media; but, by many adults who ought to know better as their own hearts have been broken many times by this mistaken line of thinking.

Love never ends. Even in many marriages that have ended up in divorce; the cause is not always that they fell out of love. They fell out of like. It is indeed possible to love someone even though you no longer like everything about the way someone has chosen to live. You may dislike (hate) the life that you have been caught up in so much that you see no other way to live except to separate. You may still love someone who uses and abuses you; but, you do not and should not love the abuse. It is possible to love the sinner and hate the sin. Real love never ends. But, if they are dragging you down; causing you to sin; causing you to turn away from living a fuller life in Christ, you ought to turn around quickly and go down the path that Jesus would have you go and not further on the path into the darkness.

There is One who will not take His love from you. He will not use or abuse you. He will give His all to you. Turn to the Lord for His love is everlasting. He does hate the sin; but, He loves you enough to die for you.

Ask yourself the next time you think you're in love. Would I die for this person? Do they love me enough to die for me? If you would take the time to do this for yourself; you may find that your heart is broken less often.

"I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, by the gazelles or the wild does: do not stir up or awaken love until it is ready!" (Song of Solomon 2:7 NRSV)

Real love never ends.

God's Peace - Pr. J