Love Not Because, But Love

There is much to be said for loving for the sake of love and not because of any quality possessed by another person. In fact, I would say that it is an art that only we can learn by following the personal sacrifice of God himself who loves us, not because of but in spite of...

Here is another favorite and poignant poem...


If Thou Must Love Me, Let it Be for Nought
by Elizabeth Barrett Browning

If thou must love me, let it be for nought
Except for love's sake only. Do not say,
"I love her for her smile - her look - her way
Of speaking gently, - for a trick of thought
That falls in well with mine, and certes brought
A sense of pleasant ease on such a day." -
For these things in themselves, Beloved, may
Be changed, or change for thee, - and love, so wrought,
May be unwrought so. Neither love me for
Thine own dear pity's wiping my cheeks dry, -
A creature might forget to weep, who bore
Thy comfort long, and lose thy love thereby!
But love me for love's sake, that evermore
Thou may'st love on, through love's eternity.


In response to this poem, the following scripture comes easily to mind...

"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 (KJV)