By Mary Beth
If we were to ask 100 people to give their definition of love in our current cultural context, we’d likely receive 100 different answers. They would range from positive definitions to entirely negative depending on that individual. Unfortunately, our experiences are often tainted by broken earthly relationships—absent or abusive parents, strained marriages, prodigal children, or failed friendships.
Many definitions are influenced by our watered-down sense of love. Many of us say “I love you” to things we don’t truly love. For example, we might say, “I love Chick-fil-A.” We might enjoy it and like its taste, but would we be willing to give everything for a chicken sandwich and waffle fries? This word’s overuse has tainted our view so much that when we talk about Jesus’s love, we often fail to recognize what that truly means. His love is unconditional, powerful, faithful, sacrificial, healing, gracious, etc. So we must turn away from these human definitions and find meaning in the pages of God’s Word.
As we wrap up this week of Advent focusing on love, we would be remiss not to talk about the definition of love Christ gave us when He came to this world and sacrificed everything to forgive us of our sins. Jesus’s life defined what it means to truly love those we know and those we don’t.
The relationship between a husband and a wife in a marriage is meant to resemble the relationship between Christ and the Church. How does this play out? It’s the ultimate definition, or example, of how we should love through grace no matter the circumstance, offering forgiveness when our spouse doesn’t deserve it.
God loved the world and His creation so much that He willingly gave and knowingly sent His beloved Son to the earth as a human to live a perfect life. During His life, He was betrayed and given over to suffer through pain and turmoil, paying a debt no human could pay on their own. The Creator had to pay this debt so humanity could be saved, so our brokenness could be mended. This is the ultimate definition and example of love that should be mimicked in every relationship and marriage worldwide. Why? Because God has called us to follow Him and following Him means following in Jesus’s footsteps.
As we approach a new year, perhaps we need to redefine or reevaluate our use of the word love. Once we have a working definition, how might we lovingly sacrifice for those around us in 2025? As we take a moment to think about all of the people and relationships entrusted to our care—our friendships, acquaintances, kids, family members, spouses, classmates, teammates, etc—how can we set out to exemplify the radical love Jesus demonstrated and defined for us on the cross to every one of them? May we be people willing to give up our desires to love others like Jesus.
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