"Love Means Not Having to Say You're Sorry..."
There was a movie in 1970 called Love Story where the main
character's last line is, "Love means never having to say you're
sorry." It's perhaps one of the most memorable movie lines in cinematic
history. What might be assumed from that line is that romantic love
overcomes anything and anyone. Even in tragic circumstances, love
stands out as pure. What if I told you the kind of love expressed in a movie like that
is one of the worst kinds of love to have? In fact, I'd go a step
further and say that, Biblically speaking, love is far greater than the
love you see rendered on the silver screen. In Mark 12:30-31, Jesus says: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this:
'Love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no commandment greater than
these." When God commanded you to love one another He wasn't talking about
the type of love in the movie Love Story. Romantic love can come and it
can go...but that type of love can also create hurt, pain and
loneliness. However, the type of love God speaks of harbors none of those
qualities. Biblical love is greater than any romantic notions around. 1
Corinthians 13:4-8 says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud. 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." When you think about your spouse and the romantic love you hopefully have, you certainly appreciate it. Yet think about the kind of love God is talking about. Does your
love for your husband or wife not envy? Are you ever provoked in your
love for your spouse? Does your love for your mate never fail? Romantic love has its place, but remember that it can be loaded with
unstable feelings and strong emotions. Romantic love can even hamper
your life with your spouse when things go bad. But you'll be ready for
those inevitable rough times by understanding that the love God
commands you to have can encourage your relationship. It is through the
love God wants you to show each other that you can develop a truly
meaningful relationship with your husband or wife. Romantic love may mean never having to say you're sorry - but the
love God helps you to have means never getting to the place where you
don't love God, your spouse or your neighbor.