Chapter 7: The Deeper Meaning of Marriage 2. Complete Love

A clearer realization of the way in which the great principles of religion apply to family life will help us. The first and greatest of the commandments, as Jesus said, is: "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength," and the second is, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." If we catch the spirit of these words as descriptive of love in a high sense, we may apply the same thought to the relationships of husbands and wives in the family.

One is to love with all the heart, the emotional nature; with all the mind, the intellectual nature; with all the soul, the aesthetic and religious nature; and all the strength, a synthesis of physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual qualities. Great wisdom for married life is expressed in the words of Jesus, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another."

What does it mean to love as Christ loved? Among other things it means that our love is to develop the qualities that his love showed, such as understanding, seeing into the heart; appreciation, seeing the best in people; unselfishness, a concern for the happiness of the other, and a forgiving spirit in which he gave an example that the world can never forget.

Love within the home prepares us better to love our neighbors. The attitude of loving one's neighbor as himself creates a kindlier atmosphere, brings one into a larger circle of good will, and develops character in such a way that the home also is benefited. It means growth in kindness, fairness, and ability to help others to be their best. It means that we are to find the influences of fellowship and good will all about us, and to unload any burden of grudges and cynicisms that we may have. These bring a bitter harvest, but "The harvest of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, good temper, kindliness, generosity, fidelity, gentleness, self-control." Every one of these qualities is found in a home that gives due place to the spiritual life.