By: Barney Cargile Green Valley church of Christ
“Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supplies moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and your knowledge, self-control, and your self-control, patience (perseverance), and in your patience, godliness, and your godliness, brotherly kindness, and your brotherly kindness, love.” (2 Peter 1:5-8). Love begins with God. “God is love.” (1 John 4:16) Not – God loves – God is love. We were created out of love so that we love God in return and love everyone as we love ourselves. So, what is love? There are different human definitions, but what is the Bible's definition of love? “Love is a disposition of mind that leads one to act in the best interest of the one loved.” This definition is true as it describes God and Christ’s love. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son.” (John 3:16) the Christ theme; is the most beautiful expression of love. “Have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:5-8). 1 Corinthians 13 supports this concept. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) Every word in that Scripture encourages acting in the best interest of those loved. “But what about me, I need to be loved.” Of course you do – no one can truly live without love. But as we love others – love comes back to us. (Luke 6:38).
Satan perverted love into passion and fulfilling selfish desires. “I love you translates into; I love what you do for me, how you make me feel.” Short version: Boy meets girl – date – kiss – umm, “I love you,” when really the emotion translates, “I love how you make me feel.” Satan turned love into receiving, when we have seen, true love is giving. I am not kicking, emotions, kissing and hugging, only, let’s not define this as the definition of love. Also, we are taught to love ourselves. (Matthew 22:39) No one fully loves who does not love and appreciate themselves and who they are. It can be difficult to love. Jesus said that there are those who say, “Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” Jesus continues and teaches differently, “but I tell you: ‘Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.’” (Matthew 5:43). How may we love those who hate us? Not emotionally – that would be abnormal. We love by acting in their best interest. Paul tells us how to love an enemy, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. . . If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.” (Romans 12:14-21). To love may bring great pain. To love someone and they reject you or pretend to love you and not. It can hurt far more than any physical pain. Throughout life, you may cause pain to those who love you, and others you love will cause you pain. Hurt from love can lead to withdraw, not wanting to be hurt again. But never stop loving, even though you know love may bring hurt and pain. You are never more like God than when you are a fountain of love, pouring forth your love on all. God loves us and we love God, and all is well with our souls.