Page 221 - The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts

problems.” In his mind he was right, she was wrong—it was
as simple as that. Her feelings of love for him had been
killed through the years by his constant criticism and
condemnation. After ten years of marriage, her emotional
energy was depleted and her self-esteem almost
destroyed. Was there hope for Ann’s marriage? Could she
love an unlovely husband? Would he ever respond in love to
her?
I knew that Ann was a deeply religious person and that
she attended church regularly. I surmised that perhaps her
only hope for marital survival was in her faith. The next day,
with Ann in mind, I began to read Luke’s account of the life
of Christ. I have always admired Luke’s writing because he
was a physician who gave attention to details and in the
first century wrote an orderly account of the teachings and
lifestyle of Jesus of Nazareth. In what many have called
Jesus’ greatest sermon, I read the following words, which I
call love’s greatest challenge.

I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good
to those who hate you, bless those who curse you,
pray for those who mistreat you…. Do to others as
you would have them do to you. If you love those who
love you, what credit is that to you? Even “sinners”
love those who love them. 1

It seemed to me that that profound challenge, written