Oh How I Love Thee! (#17)

God looks upon us -- “How do I love you? Let me help you count the ways.”

How does God’s love impact our lives? How do we respond to such a love?

Sometimes relationships are viewed from the standpoint of what we might gain from them. Sometimes teens may choose dates based upon the status it might give them among their peers. Sometimes people marry someone they think will be their servant for life. Is that love? True love seeks the best for others rather than seeking solely what might meet self-interests.

Paul used Christ’s love to illustrate the way husbands ought to love their wives.

“(25) Husbands, love your wives, AS CHRIST LOVED THE CHURCH and GAVE HIMSELF up for her, (26) that he might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, (27) so that he might present the church to himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish.” ( Ephesians 5:25-27 ESV)

Christ’s love was displayed through guiding with truth, meeting needs both great and small, and giving His all. TRUE LOVE IS GIVING, NOT TAKING. This ought to be kept in mind in any relationship. In the process of people developing truly loving relationships, needs will ultimately be met as each seeks to benefit the other. This is God’s ideal for marriage. Teens, I encourage you to keep this in mind when the time comes for selecting your life partner. Those who are married, I encourage you to continue to develop this type of loving relationship.

Because Jesus loved, He gave! Are we following in His steps?

Have a great day developing the GIVING LOVE OF CHRIST!
Carl

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[This focus was originally sent 07/29/1999 (Edited some with passage changed to ESV)]

See other teEn-MAIL on Love