Oh give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever! – 1 Chronicles 16:34
Last week, I waxed philosophical on marriage advice. As I had mentioned, I am scheduled to preach at a wedding tomorrow. Today is my loving father’s 94th birthday. I’d like to wax philosophical – and theological – on enduring love.
The Beatles had some curious takes on the world, some helpful, some outlandish. In 1964, they correctly noted that “Money can’t buy me love.” We might readily agree on this viewpoint, but all too often we behave as if we think that money or other things can in fact curry favor. I can recall inviting a young lady out for a fancy dinner, hoping that she would see past my weaknesses and instead would regard me as someone she was interested in. People invest in cool cars, wear slick outfits, and polish their personas in order to make themselves more attractive to others. Once in a committed relationship, we might continue seeking to impress in order to preserve love. Most of these socially-expected behaviors actually run counter to the reality that we can’t buy love. There is no need to put on airs to create or protect true love.
Consider three relationships: parent and child, husband and wife, Creator and creature. I’ve known my father long enough to be confident that there is nothing that I could do to make my father love me. Parents have a natural love for their children, and despite what either says or does, this love endures. While this love is “natural”, it is not truly a given. Parents choose to love. I know that my father is constantly wanting to help me to grow and succeed. He has always been there for me. As a father myself, I know that sometimes parents let their children be themselves and therefore don’t try to get in the way. Other times, they take action, attempting to protect and guide. Even when such intervention feels uncomfortable, parents generally have the child’s best interest at heart. You would do well to recognize such love as love – and to see its enduring quality. In Christian circles, we often call this “unconditional love”.
Similarly, spouses are called to love unconditionally. Humans are human. As such, spouses can be expected to err. A loving spouse will see past mistakes and encourage repentance. It isn’t particularly loving to ignore errors by not offering suggestions. We should feel comfortable pointing out spinach stuck in the other person’s teeth. Neither is it loving to harp on weaknesses in order to force a change. Instead, husbands and wives must love each other as they are.
Where do we find the model for loving unconditionally? In God’s love for His children. In Christ’s love for His Father such that He gave Himself to redeem the ungodly. We are knuckleheads. “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). THIS is unconditional love. Our Creator lovingly gives us the privilege of life and calls us to Him. He sent His Son to make it possible for us to be cleansed of our wrongdoing. “In this is love, not that we have loved God but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:10). “And this is love, that we walk according to His commandments” (2 John 1:6).
I know people whose children have strayed so far from the truth that they dishonor God with their very lifestyles. Still, just as God loves us, we are called to love our children. We are called to pray that they would come to recognize that their lives are a gift from God and to hear His Word as the only rule for faith and practice. In this life, it is never too late for the Holy Spirit to make known the love of Christ. Therefore, in this life, it is never too late to pray that children be reconciled with their Creator. Jesus makes such reconciliation possible.
What about other relationships, like with your neighbors, co-workers, and fellow church goers? God calls you to love them, as well. This weekend, recognize your role to love your neighbor. You might be aware of their shortcomings. You might not even like them. So, what should you do? Love them. Like a father loves his son – intervene where appropriate and back off when necessary. But don’t stop loving your neighbor. Come to church to see unconditional love at work, where Jesus gives love to the unlovely. In love, He purchased their redemption with His blood. You can’t buy His love, but you can give it freely to others, without price (Isaiah 55:1) because His love endures forever.
