1 Peter 4:8 (NKJV) And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

The story is told of a wife who said, “My husband and I have argued for fifty years. I'm praying that God will take one of us to heaven. And when God answers my prayer, I'm going to move in with my sister!”

This woman's experience is shared by many, who find that disagreements are common in their relationships. There is no such thing as a perfect marriage, but God’s Word does command husbands and wives to love one another—in spite of their faults! Love does not mark or keep a record of the mistakes one’s partner commits.There is no such thing as a perfect marriage, but God’s Word does command husbands and wives to love one another—in spite of their faults!

One word for love that God uses is agape—a deep, unconditional love. Agape love is unchanging, untiring, never failing and sustaining. It survives trials, and does not mark or keep a record of the mistakes one’s partner commits. Most importantly, it is the “God kind of love”, indispensable when a marriage is barren of affectionate and romantic love.

To make agape love work, it is important to know the following:

#1. Love is not fuelled by emotions, but by will.
Any believer in Christ has agape love in their heart, because

“…God’s love has been poured in our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5, AMP).

As such, once you make a decision to demonstrate that love to your partner, God is able to grant you the grace to do so.

#2. Love never fails.
Love does not give up. Everything shall fail, but true love never fails. When dealing with a spouse, keep in mind that agape love exhibits total commitment for better or for worse.

#3. Love means having personal knowledge of your partner

“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered” (1 Peter 3:7)

Billy Graham famously said, “The love God wants us to have isn’t just an emotion, but a conscious act of the will – a deliberate decision on our part to put others ahead of ourselves.” Precious one, this is the love God has for us, and should be the love you show to your spouse.

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for showing me unconditional love. Help me to love my spouse in exactly the same way, in Jesus’ name. Amen.