Dare 34

"Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth." -1 Corinthians 13:6
Love celebrates godliness. In this day, you can find a group of people to celebrate anything. We celebrate graduations, weddings, birthdays, elections, babies, and smaller and quite more evil things such as bad language, immorality, lust. From the moment we wake up, our perceptions are challenged by the world we live in. Be more beautiful. Study harder. Look but don't touch...or touch, just don't get caught. Whether it is friends, coworkers, television, the radio--all of these and more will be working overtime to shape your perceptions of what's true and most desirable in life. "We can begin valuing what everybody else values and thinking the way everybody else does" (Kendrick).
But God's Word is the ultimate expression of what real life is. God teaches us what does matter. Not just what 'should' matter. Following His Word is the only pathway to real blessing. And following Him in obedience causes us to rejoice! So ask yourself: What makes you rejoice more in your spouse? A new higher-paying job, or their desire to serve in the church? Having a tender heart towards the poor, or saving up for a new car? While all those things are good in and of themselves, we should be rejoicing more over our spouse following Christ than anything else! "You are one of the most influential people in your spouse's life. have you been using your influence to lead them to honor God, or to dishonor Him" (Kendrick)?
Love rejoices in pleasing God and the things that please Him. Paul tells us in 2 Thessalonians 1:3-4 how delighted he is in the people's faithfulness and growth in Jesus, saying, "we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows even greater; therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure."
And the apostle John wrote to his flock inn 3 John 4, "I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth."
The pursuit of godliness, purity, and faithfulness is the only way to find joy and ultimate fulfillment. What could you possibly want more for your spouse than for them to experience God's best in life? "Be happy for any success your spouse enjoys. But save your heartiest congratulations for those times when they are honoring God with their worship and obedience" (Kendrick).
Dare 34: Verbally commend your spouse fo a recent example of them demonstating Christian character.
Dare 33: Complete each other.
Dare 32: Satisfy your spouse's "needs"
Dare 31: Spouse=Top priority of Earthly Relationships
Dare 30: Be unified.
(For previous dares, refer to earlier entries.)

--Inspired by Kendricks, "The Love Dare"