Every day for 20 years, Antonio wrote a love poem to his wife. At a divorce hearing, he revealed that he didn't compose these verses to celebrate the joys of marriage but to pacify his domineering wife. The judge granted the divorce [1] and declared that the marriage had nothing more to it than a "look of love".

Relationships among some Christians often undergo a similar kind of breakdown. Long-hidden resentment finally comes to the surface as pretences drop away. A spouse leaves after years of a supposedly happy marriage, saying he or she is tired of putting up a good front and going through the motions.

In 1 John 3 we read that we are not to "love in word or in tongue, but in deed and truth" (v.18). Cain's "love" for his brother Abel covered a simmering jealosy that eventually broke forth in anger (v.12). And we all know the tragic end to that story (Gen.4:8).

Whether in marriage or in our relationships woth fellow believers, resentment and separation are sure to surface if love is incincere. Instead of presenting a "look of love", let's take seriously the challenge to "let love be without hypocricy" (Rom.12:9).

Endnote

This secular court judge's decision to grant a divorce does not mean that this is a legitimate ground for divorce biblically-speaking. A Christian behaving in such a manner should repent and make his/her marriage right.

This page was created on 8 April 1998 Last updated on 3 January 2008

Reproduced with Thanks