The song "It takes two to tango" was written in 1952 and popularized by the singer Pearl Bailey. It is now a popular saying that has been used in political circles, business dealings, and is a common reason to give to describe why a relationship or venture succeeds or fails.
This is a great way to describe the reason a marriage succeeds or fails. If BOTH the husband and wife choose to love each other according to 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, (it takes two to tango) the Bible promises that their "love cannot fail. This is hard to believe when we have experienced or seen so much relational failure. We all have either come from a divorced home, have a friend or relative go through it, or have experienced it personally. So how can the Bible say that "love never fails?" The shortest answer is, it's not that love has failed, it's the person(s) performing the action of NOT loving who failed. Love cannot fail.
Dave and I got married at 22 years old. We had little idea what it would take to really love each other. We came into marriage with lots of hope and expectations, but also lots of issues and baggage. There were a lot of reasons why our marriage could have failed. Love challenged us to grow up and think about someone other than ourselves. We had to choose a love that was patient and kind even when we didn't feel like it. We had to choose a love that was not proud, self-seeking, easily angered, and didn't keep a record of wrongs. Loving this way is not easy, and we made our share of mistakes, but we didn't give up. We both made a choice to love and that has made all the difference.
Truth to Ponder: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not rejoice in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails... 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a
Discuss Together: Discuss how your past experiences may have affected your ability to believe that "love never fails." Which of the descriptions of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 is most challenging for you? How can making a choice to love your spouse even if you don't feel love make a difference in your marriage?
Try This: Write out 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 and read it together. Then say it to your spouse. Example: ____________, I am committed to loving you (with God's help) with a love that is patient, kind, not easily angered, etc.
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