Love Close to Home
Good Morning,
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 1Cor.13:4-5
This week we are looking at love close to home. When you read the words of above, it is intuitive that if we embrace this teaching our marriages and families will be better. Who can argue that a home with more patience, kindness, humility, selflessness, and less record keeping of wrongs would be a desirable place to live? It is in fact what we are called to as Christ-followers. It is the type of love demonstrated by Jesus toward those he interacted with.
When we think about loving those closest to us, particularly our spouses and kids, it can sometimes seem harder than loving strangers. Unfortunately, those under our roof don’t always get the best of us. One big key is perspective. Paul Tripp in his great book on marriage, “What Did You Expect”, puts it this way. “You are a sinner, married to a sinner.”Why then wouldn’t you expect challenges? Sinful people act like sinful people. So remembering all we have ourselves been forgiven by God; the extraordinary patience and grace we continually receive from Him, can help us extend an extra measure of grace and patience to those we love.
This perspective can help us put 1 Cor. 13 into practice every day. There aren’t any shortcuts. It will require dying to ourselves repeatedly. Prov. 3:3 further exhorts us, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you.” It goes on to say, “then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” In other words, others, including your family, will take notice. Love and faithfulness then are not things we do, but rather a way of living. Living and loving this way results in actions that demonstrate the validity of our faith to those around us.
Let’s get down to the nitty gritty a moment. Do you want your kids to embrace the love of God and truths of Scripture? Then live the truths of Scripture. Love your spouse with Christ-like love. Love your kids with Christ-like love. Do you want your grandkids to see an example of stability and longevity? Then show them that love is more than words or feelings. It reflects itself in intentional choices and faithfulness demonstrated over time.
Parents, do you want your kids to see what a thriving marriage looks like? Then don’t put the happiness of your kids before the health and well-being of your own marriage. The thing they need most from you is for you and your spouse to flourish. This is true even after your kids have left the nest. Do they see you investing in your marriage because of the love you have for each other and the love you are called to? Do they see in you a transparent example of navigating the challenges of marriage with God at the center? Do they see in you a love fueled by your own intimate relationship with God?
Don’t make it more complicated than it is. More of God’s love reflected in more of you, makes all your relationships better. Period.
Questions to ponder:
1. Which aspects of 1 Cor. 13 are the most challenging for you?
2. How would putting this type of love into practice change the atmosphere of your home and your marriage?
Live on purpose,
Ron Klopfenstein
