13 Feb 2000 ( Sunday )

Read : 1 Corinthians 13 : 4 - 8

From the stage of the Ed Sullivan Show, the Beatles exploded onto the American scene. With a bold new look and sound, they stirred a whole generation to sing " all we need is love. " Eventually they split up, and for years fans dreamed of a reunion.

When a repeat performance was finally arranged, the Beatles still sang of love. In their much publicized studio reunion, the key song was titled " Real Love . " Eventually But the lyrics of John Lennon's song expressed a note of sadness. While describing real love as his goal in life and his prize at the end of the race, the song ends with the mournful thought that he was " only to be alone. "

John's lyrics describe the experience not only of his generation but of our own as well. We look for love, think we have found it, then find ourselves disillusioned when the feelings go away.

What is the love that seems so elusive ? If we had lived in the days of the apostle Paul, the Greek language would have helped us clarify the kind of " love " we were looking for ?

The Greek word epithumia spoke of desire that found its fulfillment in sexual love. Eros was a term used to describe romantic love. Storge was a word used by the Greeks to describe a strong love that protects and makes secure. Phileo represented the brotherly love of family or friendship. And then there agape ( most often used to speak of God's love ) that described love in its most profound and pure form.

Sometimes this quality of love enables a person to do what others say they could never do. This was Joan's case. Her husband had been involved in a lengthy affair, eventually abandoning the marriage and family they had established. The marriage finally ended in divorce. Yet, in all the hurt and pain Joan had experienced, she never forgot how, and why, to love her husband.

After months of hurts, sorrow, and rebuilding her life alone, she received word that Charles, her ex-husband, had been injured at work and had been hospitalized. God used the suffering of that accident to get the attention of a man gone astray ! !

One day Charles contacted Joan and asked if there was any hope for their broken marriage to be restored ! What a huge question ! And what open door for further hurt and sorrow ! But in spite of Joan's obvious concerns, she and Charles entered months of biblical counseling.

2 years after Joan had been forced to deal with one of the most severe pains and losses a woman can know, she was remarried to Charles. Another woman in a similar situation might have felt compelled to lovingly decline remarriage. But Joan's love refused to be resenful, and it had the grace to "suffer long. " In spite of the pain and sense of abandonment she had experienced, Joan took the risk of remarriage to the one who had hurt her so terribly.

Such willingness to resist becoming resentful does not mean that past sins are easily or painlessly forgotten. But real love does not give way to bitter resentment. It truly "suffers long. "

Jesus reminds us that while love calls for truth, truth expressed without kindness is not loving. He reminds us that while love calls for patience, patience without kindness is not loving either.

( 6584 1705 , 963 59 268 (HP)
Born : 10 March 1954

Holy Matrimony : 3 June 1995
Place : Bethesda ( Bedok-Tampines ) Church

ÿ Email : revival3@singnet.com.sg

Regards

Wong Chee Kong