The story is told about the chicken and the pig who were discussing which of them gave the most to humankind. The chicken said that she did and extolled how useful and good her eggs were. The pig said, “But when I give my meat for food, I give my all!”

When I think of true love, I remember the esteemed pastor and Bible college professor who resigned his position so he could devote his time to care for his wife who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Speaking in his last chapel service he said, “In the 50 years of our marriage my wife has lovingly devoted herself to my needs so I could minister to others. Now, for whatever time we have left, I am privileged to minister to her needs the best I can.”

This is what God’s Word says of true love – “If I could speak in any language in heaven or earth but didn’t love others, I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal . . . Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand it’s own way. Love is not irritable and keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance. Love will last forever . . . There are three things that will endure – faith, hope, and love – the greatest of these is love” (I Corinthians 13:1-13 NLT).

In every marriage, no matter how well two people know one another, great mysteries remain! Usually each person comes to the marriage – not fully knowing himself or herself, not fully knowing about life and not fully knowing about his or her spouse. What is unknown is far greater than what is known!

Becoming a faithful, loving spouse not only takes courage and faith, but patience and a desire to keep learning and growing together. Instead of asking what kind of spouse do I desire, one should ask oneself, “What kind of spouse do I desire to be?" True love in marriage is more than finding the “right” person. It’s becoming the right person. (See I Timothy 6:11.)

Many think love is only an emotion or feeling. Some constantly fall in and out of love. After over 30 years of ministry and marriage and observing numerous couples, I‘ve come to realize that love is not as much an emotion as it is a choice. I make a decision to love. When I choose to do the loving thing, most of the time, the emotions of love follow. But love is not based on feelings. Feelings can come and go, heat up or cool down. Commitment is steady and self-sacrificing.

What is true love? God’s love is! God’s love is supernatural and goes beyond us. When you invite Jesus Christ, who demonstrated God’s amazing love by his death on the cross (Romans 5:8), to come and live within your heart and life, you are transformed from the inside out. (See II Corinthians 5:17.) “And this expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love” (Romans 5:5 NLT).

You can experience true love by committing your life to Christ today.

A - Admit you have sinned. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

B - Believe in Jesus. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

C - Confess and leave your sin. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)