A woman doesn’t sit on a pedestal, making sure her hands are lily-white and that there is no common dust on her skirts. Unless she is a fool she goes out and–and meets life. She loves and marries and has children, if she is lucky. Her hands roughen and her face wrinkles. Griefs and troubles wear her away, as they do a man. And in spite of that she is happy, given the right mate by here side.”
–William MacLeod Raine
“This was as it should be…a man and a woman working toward something, for something. Not apart, but a team.”
–Louis L’Amour
I am convinced that most folk out there, especially of the younger set, have no idea as to the concept of love. The world, which is our enemy, has portrayed an image quite different from what God intended. Isn’t that the purpose of the world system–to contradict and confuse the things of God? People will say “I found my true love,” to only split a year or so later. So much for “true love.”
I read where Barna reported that 65% of those of the younger group, 35 and under, believe that it is okay to cohabit before marriage. They have all sorts of reasons, mostly they say to find the right person to marry. Try them out, ruin the goods, and then move on. Wonder why the nation is in such a mess? The family is in such a mess. No matter what they say, the bottom line is to enjoy the “perks” of marriage, but not have to truly be in love. Love requires sacrifice, responsibility, commitment, and accountability. It requires a fight to survive and to keep the world from taking the children. To not marry, but live together is simply another way to feed the lust, not the plan, purpose and will of God.
One of the things I have wondered about is “falling out of love.” I guess people can actually do it, but how? What does it mean? Were they really in love in the first place or was it just infatuation, a euphoric feeling? When people say, “I don’t love you anymore,” it makes me wonder. This is especially true of Christians. Do we not listen to the Holy Spirit in regard to our relationships? Me, oh my…
One thing for certain–God does not fall out of love with us! His love never changes. Oh, He might have to discipline us, judge us, but He never stops loving us. My pastor said on Sunday, a person may go to hell not knowing God, not knowing salvation, but he will never go to hell not being loved. That was the whole purpose of sending His Son, Jesus Christ, to earth. He loved us so much that Jesus would pay the price. All that is required is repentance and acceptance.
“When hoary time shall pass away,
And earthly thrones and kingdoms fall,
When men who here refuse to pray,
On rocks and hills and mountains call,
God’s love so sure, shall still endure,
All measureless and strong;
Redeeming grace to Adam’s race—
The saints’ and angels’ song.”
–Frederick M. Lehman
“But he who keeps (treasures) His Word [who bears in mind His precepts, who observes His message in its entirety], truly in him has the love of and for God been perfected (completed, reached maturity). By this we may perceive (know, recognize, and be sure) that we are in Him.”
–1 John 2:5 (AMPC)