I went searching for a functional definition of love and found: Love is the commitment to care for others without respect to their response. The wise man of old says:
"Put me like a seal over your heart, Like a seal on your arm. For love is as strong as death, Jealousy is as severe as Sheol (grave); Its flashes are flashes of fire, The very flame of the LORD. Many waters cannot quench love, Nor will rivers overflow it; If a man were to give all the riches of his house for love, It would be utterly despised."(Song of Solomon 8:6-7).
Christianity does not stand on what people say but on what people do - whether they love one another. Love requires us to put the needs of others above ourselves instead of the popular view which equates love in mutual pleasure. Love displays its true power when pleasure is taken away. How does one perpetuate his kindness, care, gentle talk, noble deeds, etc. when the object of his love becomes violent, cold, harsh, unloving and very ungrateful? When a person is conscious and receptive to God's love, they are filled with joy and gratitude. Some, however, wonder what has happened to God's promised love.
God Himself makes constant and gracious provision for His creation. God is the great initiator of love. Because God is love, we see his love enter a sin sick world. We are recipients of God's love. His love creates a loving nature in our lives. We are restored to a an abounding and caring relationship by God our Father. We bring God's love to others. We duplicate what God has done for us by His love. They in turn are able to see God's love more clearly and brought to him. If we want to know love then we need to know God. Love's feelings soon pass under trials and testings, but genuine love from God persists.
Where can we find such explanations and teaching on love? 1 John 4 is a remarkable collection of sayings that reveal how love is connected to God Himself. Two times love is equated with God.
Christianity does not stand on what people say but on what people do - whether they love one another. Love requires us to put the needs of others above ourselves instead of the popular view which equates love in mutual pleasure. Love displays its true power when pleasure is taken away. How does one perpetuate his kindness, care, gentle talk, noble deeds, etc. when the object of his love becomes violent, cold, harsh, unloving and very ungrateful? When a person is conscious and receptive to God's love, they are filled with joy and gratitude. Some, however, wonder what has happened to God's promised love.
God Himself makes constant and gracious provision for His creation. God is the great initiator of love. Because God is love, we see his love enter a sin sick world. We are recipients of God's love. His love creates a loving nature in our lives. We are restored to a an abounding and caring relationship by God our Father. We bring God's love to others. We duplicate what God has done for us by His love. They in turn are able to see God's love more clearly and brought to him. If we want to know love then we need to know God. Love's feelings soon pass under trials and testings, but genuine love from God persists.
Where can we find such explanations and teaching on love? 1 John 4 is a remarkable collection of sayings that reveal how love is connected to God Himself. Two times love is equated with God.
"The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love." 1 John 4:8
"And we have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." 1 John 4:16.
God too, reveals His truths in the form of rigid commands to keep us well protected. This is why John says in 1 John 5:3,
"For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome."
God's love sets us free to extend love to all those around us. All of God's sheep hear his call and with those who need it the most, he is patient to extend his hand and his sheep to minister to each other. So to respect or love someone or something, only requires your willingness to acknowledge, accept and value those around you and you may not agree with your brother. Without a love for God's revealed truths, there is no love for God Himself. These truths are an extension of God's person and wisdom.
I pray to Lord to always reminds me of his truths, his great person and wisdom.
Biblical Foundations for Freedom: by Paul J. Bucknell http://xserve.co.nz/dev/montdw/images/visoverviews/env_vis_1.jpg Capital Montessori School students
