Counterfeit

“I love you.”

Those three words should be three words any woman/girl/person desires to hear from a suitor/partner/significant other… Right?

Not necessarily.

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. I John 4:16 NKJV

Here’s the thing.. Too many people today don’t know God. If there is no knowledge of God, how can true/real love even exist? It can’t. And, no, I’m not just talking about romantic love. I’m referring to the love a mother has for a child and vice versa. Love between friends, siblings, family, and the love we are supposed to have one for another.

The thought came to me: There are those willing to risk their freedom, even lives, passing counterfeits. Whether they are counterfeit bills, clothing items, accessories, etc… Yet, even more disturbing than this, there are those, even those who know Truth, who risk their souls’ salvation for counterfeit love. Trading the love of God for a cheap imitation for a moment of passion, a lifetime of immorality, a season of lust… When the imitation – the counterfeit – can never compare to the real deal. Still, sometimes, we settle for or accept the counterfeit instead. Only to end up dissatisfied.

I don’t want counterfeit love. I don’t want to settle. In my line of work, even in my personal life and experiences, the questions have been asked: Why did he/she leave? Why did my mother/father do/say that? Why _______ (you can fill in the blank)… – They said they love me…. The only response I can come up with is, it was a counterfeit love.

I believe that the person probably did feel that they love(d)… However, how cam we love without truly knowing God? How can we love without truly having His Holy Spirit abiding in us?

My barometer for myself regarding love, is 1 Corinthians 13, Galatians 5:22-23… Am I patient and kind? Do I avoid being jealous, boastful, prideful, rude, caring about “what’s in it for me?” Do I get angry easily, keep track of everything others do against me, refuse to forgive, refuse to apologize? Am I growing in the fruit of the Spirit?

Sometimes I find myself giving and/ or accepting counterfeit love… I don’t want this in my life. Especially not when I consider that Jesus gave His life for me out of love…

*Original image by one of my kiddos ❤️