December 14
Love = Righteousness
Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.
2 John 1:6
Source: Google Image
Sometimes an individual will say to his or her spouse, “I want you to be happy. If leaving me will make you happy, then leave. It hurts, but I want you to be happy.” On the surface that may sound loving and self-sacrificial, but in reality it is neither. Real love seeks the other person’s good. And according to the Scriptures, breaking the marital covenant is not good. (1 Corinthians 7:10-11 for one example.for one example)
10 But for those who are married, I have a command that comes not from me, but from the Lord.[a] A wife must not leave her husband. 11 But if she does leave him, let her remain single or else be reconciled to him. And the husband must not leave his wife.
1 Corinthians 7:10-11 (NLT)
A person’s greatest good is found not in happiness but in righteousness. If happiness is found by doing something that is wrong, the happiness will be fleeting because the pleasures of sin are always shortlived. (See Hebrews 11:25.) So Christians must never encourage divorce in pursuit of happiness. Instead, we need to encourage each other to righteousness. As the apostle John wrote in the passage above, love means following God’s commandments, or living righteously.
The real question is, what does the Bible teach us to do in our present situation? If you don’t know the answer, then find a godly pastor who is acquainted with biblical principles for marital relationships. Once we know what is right, as believers we must seek it at all costs.
Father, thank you for this helpful definition of love. It’s not about making my spouse happy at all costs. Rather, it’s about encouraging my mate to do what is right and what is ultimately best for him or her—following your commands. Please help me to honor my marriage vows even in the midst of struggle, and not simply to look for the easiest solution.
Thank you for reading. Please feel free to comment, vote & resteem.
God bless us all :-)
© FromLoveLanguageMinute devotional
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