LOVE
When I performed a search on the word Love in the search-engine at Crosswalk.com, under the New Testament only, I received 202 results or Scripture references. Reading through these verses I noticed three categories that I could place these accounts of love within - 1) The definition of love, 2) God's love to us, and 3) Our love to God and others. Of all three categories, I found the last category, Our love to God and others, to have the most Scriptures.
Definition of Love:
God's Love To Us:
Throughout the entire Bible God's Love is spoken of and displayed in various ways. It seems a difficult task to Not see and acknowledge God's Love for humanity, especially through His Son Jesus. However, there will be people who flat out reject this free gift of Love and an eternal relationship with God that promises awesome benefits! Meanwhile, I say to them (those that do not know Jesus as Savior yet) and to believers of all maturity levels - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love" - Ephesians 1:4 I have recently read a commentary that said the words "In love" that start the next sentence should actually be applied to the sentence before it. So, in love He chose us and He chose us to function within love - Himself. He chose to supply that lifestyle as an option to all humanity through Jesus, now each individual must decide what they want to do with Jesus.
Another additional benefit in choosing Christ is that we receive the Spirit of Love - "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7
You probably have heard of the term "kindred spirits". This describes how to approach the next verse. As believers in a church body, we all need to have the same "kindred spirit of love" with God and each other in order that we may appreciate God's Love and be filled up to overflowing with God's Love. Love knows love. Paul, when writing to the church in Ephesus, confessed their foundation of Love by calling them "rooted and established in love". Knowing their good foundation, Paul encouraged the Ephesians "to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge" (Ephesians 3:18-19). However, this is another verse which has a So That phrase, except it comes in the form of "that you". "...that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." So, again go in reverse - if you want to "be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" then be "rooted" in His Love and keep a healthy respect for His Love that He showed toward us and continues to show on a daily basis. The whole idea or verse reads - "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." What a lovely prayer for believers miles away.
Our Love To God and Others:
All means everything. I know that was enlightening to some of you (sarcasm inserted), but the word "all" is important in this next verse. "Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'" - Matthew 22:37 God so loved us that He gave His one and only Son (John 3:16), so it is only natural and highly beneficial that believers love God back with our whole lives. Plus, if we love God with our everything, all the rest will happen the way God intended. Jesus continues by saying in John 8:42, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me." Be sure God is your Father through accepting His love gift - Jesus. Besides His Love, there are too many benefits to turn down!
God says through John, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." - John 14:15 This naturally begs the question - so, what do you command? "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34) "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." (1 Timothy 1:5) "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:14) "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)
However, God gets specific on who we are to love. "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44) "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?" (Matthew 5:46) Also, "...honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 19:19) Back then many churches, in many different locations needed to hear and see the love of God displayed through the believers (Body of Christ). Now, that same display of God's love through Christians, across denominations, is needed more than ever! "Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it." (2 Corinthians 8:24)
Another specific group of people that God targets to be sure to receive love are the wives. Just in case there is any uncertainty about who should be providing that love - no, it is not society, pets, or a support group (although those things can help in the absence of) - it is the husband.
Our attitude and speech should be saturated with love. Galatians 5:13 talks about the quality of our service, one-to-the-other by the attitude we bring to the table. "...do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." There are some individuals that for one reason or another, they challenge us to conform to Ephesians 4:2 every time we encounter them. The verse reads, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Any way you slice this one, whether it is backwards with the "bearing one another in love" first and then praying for humbleness, gentleness, and especially patience afterward or however you wish to figure this equation out - you and I will always feel the molding of the Potter's Hand in this case. Then there is speaking the truth. I am all for telling the truth, but Scripture tells us to be careful in the delivery of it. "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." - Ephesians 4:15 Choose your words and tone carefully and speak them in love (Father God, by the power of your Holy Spirit, help me in this area. In Jesus' name, Amen.)
One of my favorite things to do with a heavily referenced topic is to allow the Scripture to do the talking in bulk. Read these differently located verses as a nice flow and let it minister to you.
Do everything in love, because the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Love must be sincere. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. You see, greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. And Jesus said, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." Flee from all this [the world] and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Scriptures in this grouping: 1 Corinthians 16:14; Galatians 5:6; Romans 12:9; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; John 15:13; John 15:15; 1 Timothy 6:11; Ephesians 5:2
I love my church's Mission Statement (Cary Church of God):
Love God, Love People, Serve God By Serving People
If you have received a glimpse at just how much God Loved you through the sacrificing of His Son Jesus and still loves you, then you know, as I know, that living a life loving God is easy. Life might be hard, but loving God is simple. And I desire to Love-On God and have His Love flow through me as much as possible.
Definition of Love:
Love is a verb. A verb is an action word. Love is a person - God. So, love is God always showing Himself to us who love and believe in Him. "Whoever does not love, does not know God because, God is love." - 1 John 4:8 "And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them." - 1 John 4:16 Notice that Love is the first item on the list that is mentioned as one of the Fruits of the Spirit. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." – Galatians 5:22-23 I like what 1 Corinthians 13:13 has to say about love. Paraphrased first: When the dust settles from what we think life is all about, all that counts is faith, hope, and love - and even among these the greatest is Love. "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."
In fact, most believers know chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians to be The Love Chapter. One of the best known passages in defining Love is found right here in verses 4-8. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails." So, there is your standard for Love. Just looking at the last passage, I fall woefully short to measuring up. Observe how in verse 7 of 1 Corinthians 13, Paul says that "it [love] ALWAYS protects, ALWAYS trusts, ALWAYS hopes, ALWAYS perseveres." I know I do not Always operate in these wonderful manners, BUT I have a Father, a Heavenly Father who does. In fact, when I am at my weakest in anything, especially Love, I can Always count on Him - "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
In fact, most believers know chapter 13 of 1 Corinthians to be The Love Chapter. One of the best known passages in defining Love is found right here in verses 4-8. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails." So, there is your standard for Love. Just looking at the last passage, I fall woefully short to measuring up. Observe how in verse 7 of 1 Corinthians 13, Paul says that "it [love] ALWAYS protects, ALWAYS trusts, ALWAYS hopes, ALWAYS perseveres." I know I do not Always operate in these wonderful manners, BUT I have a Father, a Heavenly Father who does. In fact, when I am at my weakest in anything, especially Love, I can Always count on Him - "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me." - 2 Corinthians 12:9
God's Love To Us:
Throughout the entire Bible God's Love is spoken of and displayed in various ways. It seems a difficult task to Not see and acknowledge God's Love for humanity, especially through His Son Jesus. However, there will be people who flat out reject this free gift of Love and an eternal relationship with God that promises awesome benefits! Meanwhile, I say to them (those that do not know Jesus as Savior yet) and to believers of all maturity levels - "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:8 "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love" - Ephesians 1:4 I have recently read a commentary that said the words "In love" that start the next sentence should actually be applied to the sentence before it. So, in love He chose us and He chose us to function within love - Himself. He chose to supply that lifestyle as an option to all humanity through Jesus, now each individual must decide what they want to do with Jesus.
Once we make that decision to accept Jesus as our Personal Savior look what Scripture says about His Love toward us:
- "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?" - Romans 8:35
- "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 8:37-39
Another additional benefit in choosing Christ is that we receive the Spirit of Love - "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7
You probably have heard of the term "kindred spirits". This describes how to approach the next verse. As believers in a church body, we all need to have the same "kindred spirit of love" with God and each other in order that we may appreciate God's Love and be filled up to overflowing with God's Love. Love knows love. Paul, when writing to the church in Ephesus, confessed their foundation of Love by calling them "rooted and established in love". Knowing their good foundation, Paul encouraged the Ephesians "to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge" (Ephesians 3:18-19). However, this is another verse which has a So That phrase, except it comes in the form of "that you". "...that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." So, again go in reverse - if you want to "be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God" then be "rooted" in His Love and keep a healthy respect for His Love that He showed toward us and continues to show on a daily basis. The whole idea or verse reads - "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." What a lovely prayer for believers miles away.
Our Love To God and Others:
All means everything. I know that was enlightening to some of you (sarcasm inserted), but the word "all" is important in this next verse. "Jesus replied, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'" - Matthew 22:37 God so loved us that He gave His one and only Son (John 3:16), so it is only natural and highly beneficial that believers love God back with our whole lives. Plus, if we love God with our everything, all the rest will happen the way God intended. Jesus continues by saying in John 8:42, "If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and now am here. I have not come on my own; but he sent me." Be sure God is your Father through accepting His love gift - Jesus. Besides His Love, there are too many benefits to turn down!
God says through John, "If you love me, you will obey what I command." - John 14:15 This naturally begs the question - so, what do you command? "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34) "The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." (1 Timothy 1:5) "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:14) "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:35)
However, God gets specific on who we are to love. "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44) "If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?" (Matthew 5:46) Also, "...honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 19:19) Back then many churches, in many different locations needed to hear and see the love of God displayed through the believers (Body of Christ). Now, that same display of God's love through Christians, across denominations, is needed more than ever! "Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it." (2 Corinthians 8:24)
Another specific group of people that God targets to be sure to receive love are the wives. Just in case there is any uncertainty about who should be providing that love - no, it is not society, pets, or a support group (although those things can help in the absence of) - it is the husband.
- "Husbands, live your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" - Ephesians 5:25
- "In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself." - Ephesians 5:28
- "However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself," - Ephesians 5:33
- "Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them." - Colossians 3:19
Our attitude and speech should be saturated with love. Galatians 5:13 talks about the quality of our service, one-to-the-other by the attitude we bring to the table. "...do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love." There are some individuals that for one reason or another, they challenge us to conform to Ephesians 4:2 every time we encounter them. The verse reads, "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love." Any way you slice this one, whether it is backwards with the "bearing one another in love" first and then praying for humbleness, gentleness, and especially patience afterward or however you wish to figure this equation out - you and I will always feel the molding of the Potter's Hand in this case. Then there is speaking the truth. I am all for telling the truth, but Scripture tells us to be careful in the delivery of it. "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ." - Ephesians 4:15 Choose your words and tone carefully and speak them in love (Father God, by the power of your Holy Spirit, help me in this area. In Jesus' name, Amen.)
One of my favorite things to do with a heavily referenced topic is to allow the Scripture to do the talking in bulk. Read these differently located verses as a nice flow and let it minister to you.
Do everything in love, because the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Love must be sincere. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. You see, greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. And Jesus said, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." Flee from all this [the world] and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Scriptures in this grouping: 1 Corinthians 16:14; Galatians 5:6; Romans 12:9; 1 Corinthians 13:1-3; John 15:13; John 15:15; 1 Timothy 6:11; Ephesians 5:2
I love my church's Mission Statement (Cary Church of God):
Love God, Love People, Serve God By Serving People
If you have received a glimpse at just how much God Loved you through the sacrificing of His Son Jesus and still loves you, then you know, as I know, that living a life loving God is easy. Life might be hard, but loving God is simple. And I desire to Love-On God and have His Love flow through me as much as possible.
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