The basis of love in a home is the love of God as demonstrated at Calvary. We call this love Calvary love.
There are three specific qualities about Calvary love that I want you to notice. And as you notice each, I want you to consider how to apply them to your own home.
1. Calvary Love Is A Committed Love.
When you make a decision to love someone, you do so without knowing all that will come into that relationship. Some events and circumstances will challenge that love. True Calvary love is a commitment regardless of those events and circumstances. The very vows we recite at marriage are based on a commitment we are making to each other.
2. Calvary Love Is A Covenant Love.
Marriage is not a contract. It is not an agreement between two people to work out the details of how they will co-exist. Contracts are how the world operates. It outlines our responsibility with someone else.
A covenant is how God operates. It outlines our relationship with the Lord. Notice Matthew 19:6, “What therefore God hath joined together …” Marriage is a covenant. We do not make this covenant with one another, but with God.
3. Calvary Love Is A Constraining Love.
True Biblical love constrains or motivates us to action. There is an old saying that goes like this: “You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving.” The greatest verse on love may be John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave …”
Let us strive to show this Calvary love in our homes. May our spouses, children, grandchildren and any other family member know the love of Christ better because of how we love them.