Let's face it. No Christian friendship is complete without some sort of reference to the 5 love languages. We're curious to know the specific love language of our friends and potential significant others. We're so curious in fact, that we devote time and energy into figuring it out. Have you ever played the guessing game? Have you ever caught yourself making complex theories based off of random observations? Guilty. We could just ask, but it's far more fun to figure it out on our own. Perhaps that's just the detective in us. We love the mystery! If only our subjects, I mean, our friends, were easier to read, we would know how to make them feel special! If only their actions and words lined up perfectly. Then we could follow that trajectory into a crystal clear understanding of what their love language is. Unfortunately, people aren't that easy to figure out. I admit, this makes the quest all the more exciting but why don't we apply this endeavor to God? Have you ever wondered what God's love language is? It's actually much easier to figure out. God's word and God's actions always line up. Our God is consistent (Heb 13:8).
So what is it? Is it touch? No, can't be. God is spirit (John 4:24). Quality time? Well, he does tell us to seek his face (2 Chr 7:14). Words of affirmation? The Psalmist does seem to shower the Lord in praise (Ps 103:1-5). Gifts? God does tell us that he loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7). Ah, it must be acts of service. Wrong. Deuteronomy 28:47 seems to suggest that God is more concerned about our hearts than our acts of service. So what is it? I'll give you a hint. Read this next sentence very carefully. God loves and is loved the exact same way. Let's look at his word and see if it becomes clear.
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" - Romans 5:8
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life" - John 3:16
"In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him" - 1 John 4:9
"This is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his only son to be the propitiation for our sins" - 1 John 4:10
"Abraham, now I know you love me, seeing that you did not withhold your son, your only son from me" - Genesis 22:12
"Husbands, love your wives, like Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" - Ephesians 5:25
"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us" - 1 John 3:16
Do you see it? Do you hear this theme beating like a drum throughout all of scripture? It's there. Ever-present, unwavering and absolutely breath-taking! God's love language is sacrifice!
Only until we have a deep grasp of the gospel will we have a proper understanding of love. To put it in the negative, we will be incapable of producing genuine love and affection until the cross has become the central force in our life. "We love because he first loved us". How has he loved us? By sacrificing his own son for all who would turn to him in faith. Surely Abraham understood this. When asked by God to take his son, his only son, the son whom he loved, and offer him up as a burnt offering on the mountain of Moriah, Abraham answered the call with obedient faith. Surely, God is trying to show us something. Have you ever wondered why Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac, his only son? I think it was because Abraham had a greater treasure.
So what is your Isaac? What do you hope in? What good thing competes for first place in your heart? Watch out. God tells us to be willing to sacrifice that. The litmus test for idolatry is sacrifice. If you didn't have "x" would God be more than enough for you? If not, I would encourage you to look to Calvary. I would encourage you to pick up the pages of scripture and read how the Kingdom of God is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Now look at what the man did..."in his joy he sold (sacrificed) all he had and bought the field" (Matthew 13:44). There are some things we need to love less. However, idolatry simply reveals that we need to love God more. I pray that you would understand the love language of God and be changed by it.
He who calls you is faithful, he will surely do it.
