The Bond of True Love
Daily Old Testament Reading: Song of Solomon 5-8
Daily Focus Passage: Song of Solomon 8
Solomon wrote of the strong bond of love in the marriage relationship in Song of Solomon 8. Verses 6 and 7 reads, "Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord. Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised." This passage points to several truths concerning the bond of true love.
THE BOND OF TRUE LOVE IS A SEAL UPON THE HEART
The bond of genuine love is a seal upon the heart. As a seal, the bond of love secures the heart and protects the heart from the influence of temptation. The seal of genuine love guards the heart from the infiltration of the evil one and protects the heart that seeks to serve the Lord. When the bond of love seals the heart, the heart rests in security and stability. We allow the love of God to seal our hearts; he protects our hearts from the influence of temptation that bombards us.
THE BOND OF TRUE LOVE IS A SEAL UPON THE ARM
Solomon speaks of true love existing as a seal upon the arm. This type of seal does not offer security; instead, this seal is the display of allegiance. The seal of true love reveals to the world the love of God because the seal marks the love experienced as a child of God. The seal keeps the believers' citizenship in heaven and relationship with the Lord. We must allow the bond of true love to serve as the seal that announces our belonging to the Lord.
THE BOND OF TRUE LOVE IS PASSIONATE AND LASTING
Genuine love promotes a deep passion to serve the Lord. This passion propels the believer to pursue the Lord and live in obedience according to his will and ways. When we live passionately for the Lord, we have a burning desire for the holy things. At the same time, this passion motivates a lasting commitment to the Lord. This commitment does not rest on a foundation of this world or emotions but on Christ and his love's presence. We must seek to develop a bond of love that passionately pursues the Lord and rests in his certainty.
THE BOND OF TRUE LOVE CANNOT BE STOPPED
The existence of true love does not fade. The world's work cannot stop the bond of genuine love but remains steadfast throughout life. This bond is unstoppable because it rests in the person of Christ and not on situational dynamics. The bond ground in true love carries such power that it cannot be stopped and pushed forward. We must seek to develop the bond of love that pushes forward in the Lord and does not become derailed by the urgency of this world.
THE BOND OF TRUE LOVE IS PRICELESS
Solomon mentions the priceless nature of the bond of true love. When true love exists, no price can be placed on that bond. When we consider the bond of love in Christ, we recognize we cannot put a price on the gift of eternal life through the price Christ paid upon the cross and the victory he claimed in the resurrection. We must recognize that this bond of love must never be misused or abused, but instead, this bond must be held as holy, righteous, and priceless.
Solomon speaks to the importance of living in the bond of genuine love with the Lord. When we live in true love, our earthly relationships are transformed because the foundation of love comes from the Lord is our foundation. As you consider your relationship with the Lord and your relationship with others, do you notice the presence of the bond of true love?
