Early in a marriage, God has to teach couples that truly loving one another meant that sometimes we would have to make sacrifices. Up until that point, each person only wants his or her way. Which is very much like the noisy gong mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13.
Love is the highest form of maturity. It often requires a sacrificial gift. If love doesn't require some sort of sacrifice on our part, we probably don't really love the other person at all. If there is no sacrifice in our actions, we are most likely reacting to something nice they did for us, or simply pretending to be kind to gain some control over them.
It is important to understand that true love gives of itself. So our decisions should always have our spouse's interests at heart. When you do, you're giving of yourself.
God's desire is for husbands and wives to love each other sacrificially and unconditionally. This means you don't get your way all of the time. But the good news is, when a husband and wife sacrifice their selfish desires, they will have a triumphant marriage!
Prayer Starter: God, I want to walk in true love in my (current or future) marriage. Lord teach me this day to love my (current or future) spouse sacrificially. Help us make a decision each day to not always push for our own way, but to be willing to sacrifice for one another.
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