“…for love is strong as death… Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it: if a man would give all the substance of his house for love, it would utterly be contemned.”
In our text verses, Solomon is defining the strength, endurance, and value of true love (God’s Love). This applies to regeneration in a Child of God’s life, and to a true marriage.
“Love is strong as death” – physical death is final as far as this earthly life; and so is love. Love, true love is final. When you have received true love from God; it is final, complete. There is no other love like it. No other love has this kind of strength.
Death completes this earthly journey; as true love completes the search for love itself. Death cannot be abated, and neither can true love be stopped. True love is eternal; and once you are Born Again, nothing can separate you from true love, from God’s Love. Death excludes you from all others; and so true love excludes you from all others.
Death magnifies the value of life; and so true love magnifies the value of love.
True love reveals its value and worth compared to a worldly love; as light shed upon a dark place reveals the nature of the once dark place.
This is what God’s Love does to you when you receive Regeneration. The Light reveals God’s investment in a person who has received the New Birth.
Death cannot be stopped; neither can “many waters” or “floods” stop true love. If a man gave his all to try to stop physical death, he could not stop it. So it is with true love; you can’t buy it or stop it; for it is of God.
There is nothing, absolutely nothing, in this world to compare to true love.
There is no way to experience the value of true love – outside of being given true love by God (which is only by Grace). And there is no way to describe or define this love – outside of experience (first in Regeneration; and then in the fruit of the Spirit being borne, tasted, and enjoyed).
This is true not only in the spiritual realm, but also in the physical realm; as seen in a Godly marriage blessed with true love.
What does a marriage like this share? The husband and wife share the true love of Jesus Christ and the fruit of the same. They are witnesses of Christ and His Bride. They enjoy the fruits of a Godly, faithful, pure and holy marriage to each other.
This marriage is no accident. It is not by fate. Nor is it by the goodness or works or merits of the two people. It is only because God loved them in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. It is only because of His Sovereign Grace, His Purpose, and His Good Pleasure. (See Ephesians 1:4-11; 1 Peter 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:7-10; Romans 8:29-39; etc.)
The taste that God gives the husband and wife is the greatest blessing He gives to His Elect (His Children) on this earth.
This taste of true love changes a person from death to life; from darkness to light; from bitterness to sweetness. It changes him from pride to humility; from selfishness to compassion; from greediness to giving; from loving self supremely to loving others as himself. It changes him from walking in the flesh (sin) to walking in the Love, Light, Power, and Praise of God; from serving unrighteousness to serving righteousness; from the bondage of sin to the freedom of life. It changes him from hatred to kindness; from anger to gentleness; from sadness to joy; and on and on…
What true love will do is to completely refocus you; redirect your walk, goal, speech, and thought in this world’s journey. Instead of following the “old man” – you will follow the “new man” (Ephesians 4:22-24), the resurrected man (Romans 6:4); and your desire will be to please Christ and your marriage partner.
You don’t have to wonder or doubt if your love is true love. Just look at your fruit; does your fruit match the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23)? Is your love precious and priceless to you both? Does your love fulfill and complete you both in every way? Do you both love and confess that you are meant to be together, that you are at home with one another? Is your love free of all barriers and resistance? Is your love one of complete freedom and liberty?
What is the strength, endurance, and value of your love?
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