An Outreach Publication of the Church of Christ at Creekwood  

When You Care Enough

She was from Peru visiting relatives in Southern California.  He had lived in Southern California for a number of years.  She spoke Spanish.  He had taken Spanish classes while in school, but his primary language was English.  They met while visiting in the home of a mutual friend.

After only a couple visits, he grew to be very interested in her and asked a friend who was fluent in Spanish how to say, I like you.”  His friend shared a phrase with him 
in Spanish.... "Estoy enamorado de ti."  He rehearsed it over and over until he had it memorized.

Another meeting had been scheduled.  As friends talked back and forth seated at a table, he saw the perfect opportunity to share his newly-learned Spanish phrase with her.  And he did.  Thinking he was saying, I like you,” what he actually said, thanks to his playful friend was... I am deeply in love with you!

She, needless to say, was quite surprised and unsure of how to respond.  She looked at her grandmother for some direction.  Her grandmother, delighted with this course 
of events, encouraged her (in Spanish) to give him a kiss.  So, she got up, went to his side of the table and, to his shock and amazement,  planted a kiss right on his lips!  
Her grandmother burst into laughter and applause. 

This was the beginning of their courtship.  With a Spanish-English dictionary as their constant companion, they not only learned each other’s language, but they also learned to love one another more and more. Three months later, they were married!  Now twenty-five years, four children, and a grandson later, Mike and Nelly Eddlemon are still happily married.

Listen to Nelly: When you care enough about someone, you learn their language.”

God cared enough about US to learn OUR language.  He sent His Son into the world to dwell among us (John 1:14; 3:16).  He demonstrated His love even further by allowing His Son to die on the cross as payment for our sins (1 John 2:2).  “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation (atoning sacrifice) for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10).

How do we reciprocate this love?  What language must WE learn to communicate our love and gratitude to Him?

Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).  The language of expressing our love for God is OBEDIENCE based upon our faith in Him.  We express our love for God by
believing in Him and His Son (Acts 16:30-31), turning from sin in repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confessing Jesus before men (Rom 10:9-10), and being baptized (immersed) in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38).  Then we continue to show our love by continuing to obey His will (1 John 1:7; 5:3).

Remember, when you care enough about someone, you learn their language. God has learned our language” and communicated His love for us by giving us the greatest Gift of all: His Son! (2 Corinthians 9:15).

Won’t YOU respond to Him with the appropriate language of obedience?

David A. Sargent, Minister

Church of Christ at Creekwood 

1901 Schillinger Rd. S.
Mobile, Alabama  36695

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