A Giving Love Or A Getting Love
A Giving Love Or A Getting Love
1 Corinthians 13:5 “]Love] does not dishonor others; it is not self-seeking…” (NIV)
Have you ever listened to a country music song? I know you have, but have you REALLY listened? Country songs are usually about some type of love – loving your man, your girl, your mother, your pickup truck, your dog – you get the picture. When you take the time to process the words, you will uncover the world’s view on love – a view that is usually dishonoring and self-serving.
Often the lyrics are quite rude, such as talking about how someone fits in their tight blue jeans, working for that first kiss, or even as one song puts it “I want to talk about me!” ME! ME! ME! You can’t get more self-serving than that.
2 Samuel 13 tells a story that reads like a very bad country love song. King David had a beautiful daughter named Tamar. Her half-brother, Amnon, fell desperately in love with her. He was so obsessed with her beauty that he became ill and planned a way that her could get her for himself.
With the help of a crafty friend, Amnon devised a scheme. He pretended to be sick and asked his concerned father, the king, to allow Tamar to prepare some food for him. He insisted that her ministrations would help him to feel better.
David agreed and sent Tamar to take care of his invalid son. But after arriving and baking some special bread for him, he refused to eat. He demanded everyone to leave the room, but not for the purpose of crying the blues.
Often country love songs don’t tell the rest of the story, but the Bible never holds back on the good, bad, or ugly of human nature. When Tamar refused Amnon’s physical advances he did the unthinkable. He took what he wanted by raping her with no thought for anything but his own pleasure.
After Amnon abused this girl, his “love” for her turned to severe hate. He hated her now more than he ever loved her. From here the sordid story spiraled downward with a ripple effect that devastated many others.
This is the kind of so-called love that the world glorifies today – a me-oriented, crude, dishonoring attraction to someone for the purpose of self-gratification. But this is not true love at all and it will always end badly.
The love of God is a not a “getting love” but a “giving love.” God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son that whosoever believes in Him can have eternal life. While we were still sinners, with nothing to make us attractive or desirable, Christ relinquished His heavenly privileges and glory to come to earth, take on a human body, and die for our sins.
God does not demand that we accept His gift of love and follow Him. He gently draws us to Himself through His Holy Spirit Who brings us to a point of decision. But the choice to believe is ours. He does not force Himself on us. This is what true love is all about!
How do you define love? Is it the world’s affections or God’s? Next time you are listening to the local country station, consider the words a little more closely. If the message you are hearing is dishonoring to others or is focused on me, you may want to change the channel.
Love,
Mama
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Hi, I'm Sandy!
I write inspirational letters based on the Bible that share words of hope, encouragement, truth, and healing to my children and anyone else who longs for a mama's touch.
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I love the reminder of what true love really is!! God's powerful precious love
I want to love others the way that God loves. He loved us FIRST. We don't have to do anything to gain that love. I want to love others not because of their actions or because they love me, but because that is what I am called to do. We are all called to be more Christ like, and the strength to do this comes from Christ himself.
It's safe love. It's transforming love. It's love we can trust. Thanks for sharing this!