SATURDAY
JULY 11
READ:
1 John 4:13-21
Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.
"I Love You"
"I love you." For being so powerful, that phrase is pretty easy to say.
But what does it mean? That all depends, doesn't it? You can yell "I love you" over your shoulder as you run out to the garage and Mom knows what you mean. You can say "I love you" about your favorite team, your cat, or your car. Barney the Dinosaur can sing "I love you" to little kids in a syrupy-sweet song. The meaning of the words "I love you" changes with the context.
But what about when you say "I love you" to your boyfriend or girlfriend? There's nothing quite like the first time you're able to say that to someone you've decided you truly care about. But words are cheap. Real love costs a great deal.
There is a saying, "Love is a decision." That's true. It means that when we love somebody, we choose to be committed to that person. Love is not based on what someone looks like or accomplishes. Certainly we notice those traits, and that can make that person attractive to us. But real love is hard work.
A Hollywood producer married a beautiful, much younger woman. During an interview he was asked if he would remain committed to his wife if she had a horribly disfiguring accident. He thought for a long time and then responded that he wasn't sure. I know what we call this kind of "love."
First John 4 tells us that "whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him" (v.16). John went on to say that "perfect love drives out fear" (v.18).
Read 1 Corinthians 13 and 1 John 4 carefully. Read them again. Read them aloud. If you can still say "I love you" and really mean it, you are establishing your relationship on principles that honor God and the other person.
Infatuations come and go, but we don't fall in and out of love. Be careful how you use those words. They carry so much power. -TG
REFLECTION
- Have I ever said the words "I love you" when I shouldn't have?
- Do my words and actions show I respect my boyfriend or girlfriend? Do they show I respect God?
- Do I pray about my future mate?
Love is more than a feeling; it's a decision.
