REAL LOVE
A forty-year-old man, with a classic “mid-life crisis,” sat down to talk to the preacher about his
problems. He explained how his marriage of twenty years was no longer satisfying or fulfilling.
Finally, he reached the bottom line: “I just don’t love her any more,” he said. “What can I do?” After a
brief moment of reflection, the preacher said decisively, “As I see it, you only have one option.” The
man perked up with anticipation. Was the preacher going to suggest a divorce? Would he soon be free
to pursue the lifestyle of the younger generation that he had come to admire and even long for? Would
this be his chance to regain his fleeting youth? What was the preacher’s advice going to be? The
preacher continued, “It seems to me the only thing left for you to do is REPENT and start loving her
again.” The fellow with the mid-life crisis left the preacher’s office in disgust. He muttered to himself,
“That’s got to be the worst advice I’ve ever heard!” But, was it really?
So many times we hear of married couples who complain that they have fallen out of love. That is
sad, but it does happen. The real issue is: What do you do when you realize that such a situation exists
in your marriage? The Bible still says the same things it has always said: Husbands are to “love your
wives” (Eph. 5:25) and wives are to “love their husbands” (Titus 2:4). Please note that these are not
just suggestions--they are commands! To fail to love your mate is to commit sin! And sin always re-
quires repentance if there is to be forgiveness.
But be careful--don’t confuse commanded love with the gooey, silly infatuation of a teenager! The
love that the Bible demands we have for our husband or wife is far more than that. It is a sacrificial
love that seeks the best interest of the one loved more than self. It is the kind of love that Jesus has
shown for us (Eph. 5:25). If all husbands and wives would learn to love in this way, don’t you think
the divorce rate would drop drastically? And don’t you think that more homes would truly be happy
and contented--a little piece of heaven on earth--instead of the other place!
One more thing! No matter how good a husband or wife you may be, isn’t there always room for
improvement? An honest answer to that has to be in the affirmative, doesn’t it? Have you fallen out of
love with your wife, with your husband? You need to REPENT and start loving them again. God’s
Word commands it!
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: The person who falls in love with self usually has no rivals!
Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse
problems. He explained how his marriage of twenty years was no longer satisfying or fulfilling.
Finally, he reached the bottom line: “I just don’t love her any more,” he said. “What can I do?” After a
brief moment of reflection, the preacher said decisively, “As I see it, you only have one option.” The
man perked up with anticipation. Was the preacher going to suggest a divorce? Would he soon be free
to pursue the lifestyle of the younger generation that he had come to admire and even long for? Would
this be his chance to regain his fleeting youth? What was the preacher’s advice going to be? The
preacher continued, “It seems to me the only thing left for you to do is REPENT and start loving her
again.” The fellow with the mid-life crisis left the preacher’s office in disgust. He muttered to himself,
“That’s got to be the worst advice I’ve ever heard!” But, was it really?
So many times we hear of married couples who complain that they have fallen out of love. That is
sad, but it does happen. The real issue is: What do you do when you realize that such a situation exists
in your marriage? The Bible still says the same things it has always said: Husbands are to “love your
wives” (Eph. 5:25) and wives are to “love their husbands” (Titus 2:4). Please note that these are not
just suggestions--they are commands! To fail to love your mate is to commit sin! And sin always re-
quires repentance if there is to be forgiveness.
But be careful--don’t confuse commanded love with the gooey, silly infatuation of a teenager! The
love that the Bible demands we have for our husband or wife is far more than that. It is a sacrificial
love that seeks the best interest of the one loved more than self. It is the kind of love that Jesus has
shown for us (Eph. 5:25). If all husbands and wives would learn to love in this way, don’t you think
the divorce rate would drop drastically? And don’t you think that more homes would truly be happy
and contented--a little piece of heaven on earth--instead of the other place!
One more thing! No matter how good a husband or wife you may be, isn’t there always room for
improvement? An honest answer to that has to be in the affirmative, doesn’t it? Have you fallen out of
love with your wife, with your husband? You need to REPENT and start loving them again. God’s
Word commands it!
THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: The person who falls in love with self usually has no rivals!
Have a great week!
Love ya,
Jesse
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