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Your Question:
When love is put to the test, what is revealed?
Answer:
As I reflect on the concept of love being put to the test, I'm reminded of a passage from John's letter that speaks to this very idea. He notes that perfect love for God shows itself in confidence before God and a deep love for other believers. This is a social test, where our actions and behavior towards others reveal the authenticity of our love for God. The Spirit of God enables true believers to acknowledge that Jesus is God's Son, Christ come in the flesh. This is a doctrinal test, where our understanding of God's truth is put to the test. And just as Jesus' love for the Father was evident in His actions, our love for God is revealed in how we live out our faith in practical ways. As John puts it, "Anyone who does not love remains in death, just as he is in darkness." This tells me that love is not just a feeling, but a choice that we make every day. In our marriage, my wife Susan and I have seen how love is tested through the ups and downs of life. We've learned that love is a deliberate choice, not just a feeling. When we choose to love each other, even when it's hard, that's when we see the true nature of our love revealed. And as a pastor, I've seen how this plays out in the lives of believers as well. When we put our love for God to the test, we discover that it's not just a feeling, but a choice that we make every day to live out our faith in practical ways.
Sources:
new testament background and message
thomas lea
letters of john
john stott
true sexual morality
daniel heimbach
elemental theology
emery bancroft
meaning of marriage
timothy keller
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