I’ve been emailing a couple out of state about their upcoming wedding next summer. I’m attempting to do some “pre-marriage counseling” by asking them some questions. My first question was pretty basic and incredibly important: “How would you define ‘love"?” Their responses were interesting. One wrote, “Love is difficult to define because it is constantly changing.” The other said, “Love is a word that humans use to identify the various emotional connections they share with each other.” Hmm... How would you respond to the same question? I wrote back with these initial comments:

I’d encourage you to take a few minutes and read I Corinthians 13. I believe it is the very best definition of love in the world. The scripture says God is love. For me, at the heart of love is commitment. That’s what sets it apart from other emotions. In English, we have only one word for “love” (I love pizza…The Yankees – the couple lives in New York…you….etc.). In Greek there are actually four words for love. There’s a great book by C.S. Lewis called The Four Loves that describes all the nuances. I’d also encourage you to check out a book called The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman..

Why do I share this with you today? To remind us all that love is of utmost importance in our life and our life together in the Body of Christ. God is love. He is the Initiator of Love. For God so loved the world that he gave… (John 3:16). Jesus said that all the commandments could be summarized by just "two." "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30-31). Jesus challenged us with these words too: “If you love me, you will obey what I command” (John 14:15.) Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love (Romans 12:9-10). You see, genuine love is commitment.

This Sunday, November 22, is our annual Commitment Sunday. It’s the day we’re asked to show our commitment to Christ and the Body of First Church, as we plan for the upcoming year. 2009 has been a great year for First Church in terms of new outreach and ministry in downtown OKC with new ministries like the McKee Center, the Homeless Breakfast and Whiz Kids. We’re actively engaged in ministry to the least, the last, and often the lost of our city. I know this is an answered prayer that several of you have been praying about for years.

This Sunday, we’ll make our service and financial commitments for 2010. For First Church to continue to move forward, we will need to see an even a greater level of commitment to ministry by all our members. I want to thank you in advance for your faithfulness. We can’t give at the same level and move forward as the First Church family. Love is a commitment. It is risky and it is costly, but no one knows that better than the One we owe our very life too – our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! I pray we’ll give our very best for Him! Blessings!

Yours in Christ,
Mark

P.S. Our Primechimers and Chancel Choir members will be playing and singing this Sunday. Be sure to bring your commitment card with you as you come!