Love

Love

My Question for God

What are the qualities of true love?

A Moment with God

“It’s not our custom here to marry off a younger daughter ahead of the firstborn,” Laban replied. “But wait until the bridal week is over, then we’ll give you Rachel, too—provided you promise to work another seven years for me.” So Jacob agreed to work seven more years. A week after Jacob had married Leah, Laban gave him Rachel, too. (Laban gave Rachel a servant, Bilhah, to be her maid.) So Jacob slept with Rachel, too, and he loved her much more than Leah. He then stayed and worked for Laban the additional seven years.

Genesis 29:26-30

Properly understood, love between a woman and a man is both a feeling and a commitment. It is a feeling of desire and devotion that draws two people together. It is a commitment to remain together no matter what happens to the feelings. True commitment, however, should enhance people’s feelings for one another. Jacob demonstrated passion and commitment in agreeing to work another seven years for the woman he loved, despite the fact that he’d been tricked into marrying Leah. Jacob counted the additional years as immaterial compared to the value of his love for Rachel. Our culture often mistakes strong feelings, or even lust, for love, but the Bible reminds you that love is sealed by an act of commitment and faithfulness.

Divine Promise

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7