"I will betroth you to me in faithfulness. Then you will know the Lord."-Hosea 2:20
As Christians love is to be our whole identity because, " God so loved the World...." (john 3:16)
When asked to clarify what the greatest commandments of all were, Jesus said," Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself." (Luke 10:27) Love is to overflow out of us. Love is how others are supposed to distinguish us as Christ's Disciples. Have u ever met someone that just looked different to you? They shine and you knew that they were a Believer? This is how we as Christians should be. If we love God that much....it will flow from us onto others. It says in 1 Corinthians 13:1 that you can have the gift of speaking in tongues but not have love n you are like a resounding gong. If you have the gift of prophecy, knowlege and faith that moves mountains but if you don't have love than you are nothing. If you give all you possess to the poor and surrender your body to the flames but not have love then you gain nothing." "Love covers over a multitude of sins,"
Our Bible gives us direction for all areas of our life (Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth). God gives us so many examples of Love Stories in His Word. It is harder I think to really 'Shine' and overflow with love in our homes. Our family sees all our faults and weaknesses. Sometimes its harder to show them that we are Christ-like. Our Spouses are probabley the most challenging. How do we show love when we are hurt or rejected? What do you do when the one you promised your love too stop accepting your love? The story of Hosea is one of the most inspiring And remarkable stories. Against all logic God instructed Hosea to marry a protitute named Gomer. God wanted Hosea's marriage to show what Heaven's unconditional love looks like towards us. Together they had 3 children but as expected Gomer had long made her living in immorality and was not content to stay faithful to one man. Hosea was left to deal with a broken heart and the shame of abandonment. He loved her but she rejected him for lust. Time passed and God spoke to Hosea telling him to go and reaffirm his love for Gomer. She reached her low and was bought to be a slave but Hosea paid the price of her redemption and brought her home. Not matter how much she rejected and betrayed him he remained faithful. He forgave and brought her home. No that's love!
This is us and God. We continually are unfaithful to Him, betraying Him daily. But God responds with grace and mercy. He always stays faithful to us. God calls us to love even our enemies and do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you and pray for those who mistreat you. Yes its difficult. I know! If you are in a relationship or marriage where you are rejected or betrayed try and remain faithful. God will bless you. He is our example. Hosea is a great example. Put your hope in Christ. Your love will make a difference.
THE DARE: LOVE IS A CHOICE, NOT A FEELING. IT IS AN INITIATED ACTION, NOT A KNEE-Jerk reaction. Choose today to be committed to love even if your spouse has lost most of their interest in receiving it. Say to th em today in words similar to these, "I LOVE YOU. PERIOD. I CHOOSE TO LOVE YOU EVEN IF YOU DON'T LOVE ME IN RETURN."
Praying for love to overflow and shine through you. I pray your love be evident to all and you are radiant in Christs beauty. God Bless you.
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