Love

By Rev. Barbara Falana |  

 

WHAT IS LOVE?

. . . And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is LOVE!

I Corinthians 13: 13 NIV

One might ask, why is “love” in the passage above considered greatest when we need faith and hope also? Actually, we find this particular chapter and verse extends from the previous chapter on spiritual gifts. When speaking of God’s love - properly interpreted “agape,” it is defined as unconditional (without any expectation or intended return of affection or friendship), but just because God cares for you personally as his creation, humankind. I Corinthians Chapter 13 commonly called the love chapter of the bible (the writer Apostle Paul), explains well the meaning of what “agape” love is and is not. Most important that the elegance and display of spiritual gifts without love is of no value to anyone in body of Christ. The following contrast below, mirrors the attributes that every believer should reflect upon (do I really possess “unconditional love” for others?).

 

Love Is                                                               Love Isn't/Does Not

Patient (Suffers long)                                         Envy (Jealous)

Kind                                                                    Boast

Rejoices in truth                                                  Proud

Always protects                                                   Rude

Always trust                                                         Self-seeking

Always hopes                                                       Anger easily

Always preservers                                                Keep records of wrong

Never fails                                                            Delight in evil

What if someone feels they have all of “love is” attributes as stated above? That would be wonderful, but when we truly look at God’s love as demonstrated to humankind through the fulfillment stated in John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life,” no one on earth has or ever can replicate or replace this act of true love. Additionally, not only did Christ lay down his life, but he was obedient unto death that you and I might receive the gift of eternal life. John 15: 13, “Greater love hath no man than this, than to lay down one’s life for a friend.” Who can say yes to this statement as well? I am sure there are some, but honestly, not many Christians could answer YES. Besides, if we tell the truth, isn’t there far too much of what love “is not/does not” in the church today? Ever notice a brother and sister who won’t even acknowledge your presence by simply greeting you or others? What about those who push pass and skip ahead in the serving line and act like they have not done anything wrong? Or there is a person you know needs help but want ask or receive it because they are too proud? Then there’s the “I remember what they did to me or my family or my friend in 1949,” and I just can’t forget about that.

Well, this love thing goes even deeper in Christ’s stating it as his “commandment” for us to love one another as he has loved (John 15:12); then Jesus also calls us “friends” when we keep his commandment! Anyone who does not love remains in death.” This now links the emphasis “brotherly love” teaching us also that, “19We love because he first loved us. 20If anyone says, "I love God," yet hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21And he has given us this command: Whoever loves God must also love his brother.” Here we can see how love never fails (read entirely I John Chapter 4, when you have opportunity.) So, are you a “friend” of God? Do you love as Christ has commanded you to? Or do you love some and not others, loving who you want, when you want and how you want? It shouldn’t be so because I John 3:14 declares, “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers.” There’s no excuse or hurt that justifies behavior other than the love exemplified by Jesus. Now you’re thinking, that’s sure easier said that done! What it boils down to is making up our minds as Christians first, to be obedient to the word, then to desire to grow and develop Christ like character or the fruit of the Spirit, (Galatians 5: 16 – 26). Not only are we to love one another, but we are also taught to love our enemies (Matt 5:44). Even our faith worketh by love according to (paraphrased Galatians 5:6).

There are many other great lessons and scriptures on the topic of love (too many to cover). But by now we can begin to formalize why love is declared greatest among faith and hope. Christ taught his very first disciples that, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John

2

13:34-36. Therefore, let us show forth love as Jesus intended via his commandment and as taught through the word by numerous references. Remember, as living epistles oft times we are the only visual bible some people have opportunity to read. God still requires us to set the example and be true disciples today. In a nutshell, one should come away with: 1) the essence and meaning of what God’s love truly is; 2) understanding “agape” is required and expected by God for his followers and 3) we can conclude why love is considered greatest - because there would be no need for faith or hope without love; everything about our heavenly Father begins and ends with His LOVE. If born of God, we do and must have his love in us. It has been given to share, to tell about what God’s love has done for you and for others. It is just what a person needs most in many situations and it opens the door for an opportunity for them to see the love of God through you. [scripture references from Biblegateway.com NIV, King James and Amplified versions]

His Love

God Loved Me Enough: (repeat after each line)

To Send His Only Begotten Son to Die For Me,

To Give Me the Gift of Eternal Life,

To Send the Holy Spirit to Comfort Me,

To Leave His Holy Word to Teach and Guide Me,

To Carry Me When I Had No Strength to Go Through Difficult Times,

To Allow Me to Partake in His Divine Nature,

To Give Me the Fruit of His Spirit,

To Empower Me to Become a Son/Daughter of God,

To Call Me Friend – When I Keep His Commandments,

To Protect Me from ALL Evil,

To Send Holy Angels to Minister to Me,

To Prepare a Mansion for Me,

To Promise To Return for Me,

To Give Me Faith and Hope to Believe ALL of the above,

Is Just How Much He Loves Me!

Copywriter: By Rev. Barbara J. Falana

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