For Real Love
For Real Love: A Worthy Pursuit (By Pastor Brandon Sirolli)
It would seem to me that many people have a romanticized view of love. I recently read a post on social media that quoted some lady named Mandy Hale as saying, “Two things you’ll never have to chase: true friends and true love.” What I take from this is if it’s true love, you won’t have to work for it. I’m glad God didn’t have the same idea!
The Bible shows a very different idea of love; a love we are to cultivate. Throughout the Old Testament, we see a God who pursued Israel relentlessly because of His unwavering love! In the New Testament we see this same God step it up by sending us His Son, Jesus, to rescue us from the pit of Sin and Death.
Jesus told a parable to help us understand such love:
Luke 15:4-7 (ESV) 4 “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open country, and go after the one that is lost, until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.’ 7 Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
There is more joy over the pursued than over the majority who needed no pursuit. As a shepherd chases after lost sheep, so our God pursues us. The parable gives us an illustration so that we can not only recognize “for real love” but also that we may reproduce it in us.
Such was the intention of Jesus when He defined love for us:
John 15:9-14 (ESV) 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. 11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. 12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you.
Christ is our example of how God loved us and how we are called to love. For Real Love pursues the one loved! It doesn’t do this casually, but with resolute intention. It’s a love that sacrifices self for its love. It’s a love that doesn’t give up when the road gets rough.
This is what we read from the Apostle Paul to the Corinthians:
1 Cor. 13:4-8a (NIV) 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.
Love puts up with a lot in its pursuit! In a marriage, this looks like two people intentionally devoting themselves to the health and well-being of their relationship. Praying together, talking about God’s Word together, seeking resolution to problems between them, and giving of self before demanding of their spouse.
In friendship, this looks like the one who stands with their friends through victories and failures. Picking up your friend when they fall, lending an ear and a hand to help, giving good advice, not just going along with whatever, and giving of self before demanding others sacrifice.
With God, this looks like Jesus! Him hanging on a cross, suffering in your place, forgiving Sin, chasing after the one! For Real Love doesn’t form out of easy times: goosebumps, sparks, rainbows, butterflies, and such
No, it’s formed and tested in the fires of adversity. For Real Love chases, it fights for and, if necessary, dies for the one it pursues. Love never fails!
Editor’s Note: Nothing in this message should be seen as advocating for stalking... that’s weird, not love.
