KneEmail - a devotional by Mike Benson associated with Forthright Magazine
Love
THE LOVE THAT God commands is not a feeling but a commitment, a decision to treat people right (Matt. 7:12)...
I wish I had the ability to communicate accurately that concept to couples before, during, and after the wedding. Many times I have had a husband and wife talk with me about problems in their relationship. One would say: "I just don't feel like I love her (him) anymore. Therefore, I am going to get a divorce. Because I may be many things but I am not a hypocrite. Since I don't feel love for my partner, I am going to be honest and recognize that by letting the world know the truth that our love has died." I am convinced that most couples do not know what they are promising when they repeat the wedding vows, "I, John, take thee, Mary, to be my lawful wedded wife, to have to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, in adversity and prosperity, to love and to cherish, till death do us part." They think they are promising to have feelings of infatuation even more powerful and overwhelming than the flutters and fuzzies they experienced during courtship for the next fifty plus years. When those feelings fade, fear and disappointment replaces the intense emotional surges. After failing to regain those feelings, they decide to flee to another relationship where they can enjoy perpetual ecstasy. That is unfortunate. Love that God commands is not a feeling but a decision, a commitment to treat people right, regardless of how I feel. In fact, the test of love is to do right when I do not feel good (Jerrie Barber).
KneEmail: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you" (Matt. 5:43, 44; cf. Rom. 12:20).