Sermon Info
Summary
We all want love. Not the cheap imitation that our world offers, but real love. We want a love that will last. A love that will stand the test of time and hardships. We want a rock solid, godly marriage or future marriage. We want loving friendships and to raise children that know they are truly loved. Real love is a choice. We choose to love or we choose not to love. We choose to love God, our spouse, our friends, our children or we don’t. Let’s be people of love. Let’s love like God - committed and unconditional. Let’s have a loving marriage and relationships. Let’s grow in our love - our love for God as “The One” of our life and our love for others. Let’s love!
Content
The One: Dating & Relationships in Today’s World - Happily Ever After
The World's View of Love vs Biblical Love
What’s your go-to movie genre for a Friday night? Whether your answer is thought-provoking science fiction, hide your face in your hands-scary, or a feel-good romantic comedy, the odds are that regardless of your movie choice, there will be some element of romance in your movie choice. The reality is that our world loves love. It’s the focus of many of the popular songs of today. It’s a primary part of television shows and movie plots. It’s the emphasis of many aspects of our culture because many people are seeking out their happily ever after.
However, the type of love depicted in many popular mediums in our culture most often heavily differs from the love that is described in God’s Word. While our world offers a cheap imitation of love, the Bible describes love in a way that is encouraging, counter-cultural, and special.
God’s Word tells us that love is: a choice, a constant need in our life, a commitment of our heart, and unconditional. This kind of love is the only kind of love that will last. It is the kind that stands the test of time and hardships. This is the kind of love to build a marriage and life upon, and it is something that will, ultimately and above all, glorify God.
No matter your relationship status, all people need love in their lives. It starts with knowing we are loved by God and, in turn, loving God. Then, this leads to our choice to love others with the kind of love that is Biblical and real.
What the Bible Says about “Happily Ever After”
Though we all have experiences that make us view love in certain ways, God’s Word specifically outlines what true love really means in 1 Corinthians 13. Often deemed the “love chapter,” this passage can oftentimes be heard at Christian weddings. This is because this chapter explicitly states how unique, sacred, and special love is, as determined by God’s love for us.
“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.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Doesn’t this kind of love sound incredible? We will never find perfect love in a single person on earth, but we can find this in Christ. Once we know that this is the kind of love that we have in Him, we, consequently, can strive to be more like Christ in how we choose to love the people in our lives, whether that is in a romantic relationship or not. Love is a choice, and, particularly in a marriage, it is a commitment that says you will put in the time and the effort to love others as defined by 1 Corinthians 13.
The love found in this passage is from the Greek word, agape. Agape is the love that God shows us. It is not transactional or selfish. It is unconditional, never-ending, and full of hope. Agape love is based on Christ and our relationship with Him, which overflows into the relationships that we have with other people in our lives.
How can you love like Christ?
We all want a love that will last and that will result in a rock-solid relationship that brings security and trust. However, we must make the choice to love Christ first, then to love others in our lives in this way.
Let’s be people of love. Let’s love like God – committed and unconditional. Choosing to love in this way will lead to healthy, Christ-centered marriages and relationships. Love will not be easy, and, odds are you already know this to be true. Love like this is worth the commitment and the work. It’s worth working towards and growing in.
How can you begin to make the choice to love like Christ? What is one decision that you can make today that will result in a healthier marriage or relationship with someone in your life? That may mean starting today with prayer, asking God to lead your words and actions with His love. It could mean asking your spouse, friend, or family member what specific steps you can take to love them better. Whatever that one step may be, take it. God calls us to walk in love, so challenge yourself to do this today. Don’t wait – love is worth it.
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