May 2006

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

We are in the midst of marriage season at Castle Hill and I have been reflecting on these familiar words from the biblical book 1 Corinthians that are so often read at weddings. But these are words that we need to take notice of at other times too, because they speak of true love in a new way.

Paul, who wrote these words isn’t talking about some understanding of liking each other a lot, although it includes that. Nor is this a call to equate love only with nocturnal activity in the marital bedroom, although a good marriage embraces that, but these words contain a call to be godly in marriage.

Elsewhere in the bible the image of marriage is used as a picture of the very special and beautiful relationship that Jesus wants to have with his church. Such is the love of Jesus towards us that we are called to be the bride of Christ, so why is that the case?

Christian Marriage contains two important elements; firstly there is the need to reflect God’s love and, as part of that, secondly, to reflect God’s forgiveness. In Christian marriage, as those who have committed themselves to following God’s way throughout all of life, a bride and groom will promise to try to live in a way that pleases him. That means that the very promises that they take before God and witnesses have been very carefully considered and are meant. And, as Christian’s they are committing themselves from their wedding day onwards to working hard to fulfil God’s calling within their new life together.

But marriage is also an illustration of the depth and meaning of relationship that Jesus wants to have with all his people. This is a place where love is demonstrated and revealed in all its glory and where true love is lived out to the full. The first key ingredient to a successful marriage is this need to reflect God’s love, and that is what Paul is writing about here. Love is patient, kind, without envy, not boastful, never proud, nor rude nor self-seeking. It is not angered and keeps no record of failings. In summary, true love has no strings attached.

In a marriage as two very different people come together to form a new family, there is much to learn about life together. At the wedding day, all is joyous and the prospect of spending the rest of life together is perhaps easy but sometimes even in the closest of marriages love is tested and put under pressure. Each party in every marriage must hear what Paul is describing about love. By nature we are all self seeking, we all prefer to please ourselves rather than anyone else but in marriage we are to look to the other and seek their happiness first, even before our own.

True love is not just a passing emotion for the easy days and the good times, it is not just something to carry you through a joyous wedding day, it is for all of life. True love is for those moments when everything seems to be crashing down around you, it is to be lived out for all of life together and apart, it is a commitment, a vow, a promise in sickness and in health, in need and in plenty. In short it is an illustration of the incredible, immense, and unconditional love that Jesus has for you.

May you know the reality of that expression of ultimate love

Peter