When I got this this morning, I thought that it was really good, and appropriate for Valentines Day. But later when I came back to read it again, I realized that some people might have taken this as a real downer. I think it actually could be read that way. Ya know, dry and unfeeling. Did you think it was deflating??? Or maybe too dry?? What were your thoughts? Did you roll your eyes? It's funny because my second reading just didn't hit me like the first one did.No one commented, so I am really curious. Did I post a stinker??? Let me know!
The Real Test of Love
By Elisabeth Elliot
It is not difficult to imagine, in certain moods and settings, that we love people. We may feel expansive and good-natured for a variety of reasons--our own good health or digestion, for example, or beautiful weather, comfortable circumstances, nice folks doing nice things for us. The Bible is a sword that cuts through mere sentiment. It tells us that the accurate test of our love for God's children is obedience to God. "By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey His commandments" (1 Jn 5:2 RSV). It is an objective test, not a subjective one. Love as the Bible defines it is perceptible through action rather than through mere feeling. It is not, as Eric Alexander of Scotland put it, a "glandular condition."
Much of the talk nowadays about loving one another is soupy and silly. It will not stand the biblical test. Love for people goes hand-in-hand with love for God--if you don't love the brother you see, how can you love the God you don't see? Loving God requires submission to his discipline--He rebukes, chastens, refines with fire, purifies by trial. Do we love Him enough to say yes to all that? Do we love others enough to encourage endurance in them?
Jesus, Thou art all compassion,Pure, unbounded Love Thou art;
Visit us with Thy salvation,
Enter every trembling heart.(Charles Wesley)
2 comments:
It's a little rough, maybe. I think there is something to be said for emotional love. Those feelings are legitimate, too, but ONLY in the context of the type of committed, sel-sacrificial relationship E.E. describes. But with so much impulsive, sentimental, love-at-first-sight flotsam and the touchy-feely-feel-good-can't-we-all
-just-get-along-and-sing-
kumbaya-together types of "love" floating around out there in movies and music and books, it's not a bad idea to do a reality check now and then.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 and John 15:13 embody the true meaning of love, in my opinion. :0)
I didn't think it was a downer or a pick-me-up. Just factual.
Hope you guys had a good V-Day!
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