Yesterday Senator Mark Kirk made the headlines by coming out to support same-sex marriage. He said, “When I climbed the Capitol steps in January, I promised myself that I would return to the Senate with an open mind and greater respect for others,” He continued, “Same-sex couples should have the right to civil marriage. Our time on this earth is limited, I know that better than most. Life comes down to who you love and who loves you back – government has no place in the middle,” the senator added.
I really appreciate what the Senator has come through. He has shown great courage and strength in the way he has faced the after-effects of his stroke.
As I read his statement, we could debate about the government’s role in affirming the norms of family life and structure. Those discussions are happening all over the place and they will continue for some time. But let’s go to a more basic part of the discussion. Love. Is love what life comes down to?
I think Senator Kirk is right when he says, “life comes down to who you love and who loves you back.” Jesus said, 37 “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 10:37-38).’
Love is foundational to life. And these are the primary loves of life. And they have nothing to do with sexual attraction. In fact love is described in 1 Corinthians, 13:4-8a. “4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, 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.”
This is the definition of love that should frame all our human relationships. It is not a love of self-fulfillment, but a love of sacrifice. It is a love that is always guided by the truth of God’s Word. It makes feelings and attractions subservient to truth.
Oh yeah, and as for “who loves you back,” remember this “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
What do you think about the relationship of love and truth?
How does your love for God shape your human relationships?