Love, as defined by the dictionary is, “an intense feeling of deep affection”. Love makes better sense and brings good vibes when it is considered a verb and put into action. The more we choose and practice love, the deeper and more intense it gets.
We also find love in the Word of God. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 gives a perfect idea of love that Bible describes – “4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, 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.” This description of love seems to be quite inclusive.
Love – Today
Love, as defined by the dictionary is, “an intense feeling of deep affection”. Love makes better sense and brings good vibes when it is considered a verb and put into action. The more we choose and practice love, the deeper and more intense it gets.
We also find love in the Word of God. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 gives a perfect idea of love that Bible describes – “4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, 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.” This description of love seems to be quite inclusive.
The word ‘love’ is a constantly evolving concept with ever-broadening definitions. Human love, therefore, cannot be simply defined, as it is being redefined all the time. Love, today, instead of being merely a strong affection for another, is synonymous with acceptance, tolerance, appreciation of diversity, open-mindedness, desire and pleasure.
Furthermore, 2 Timothy 3:1-4 says, “1 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ”
Most sins stem from love of self and a lack of love for God and others. There will come a day (and that day is already here) when people will be as everything mentioned in the above scripture passage. Worldly love continues to grow colder by the day as mentioned in Matthew 24:12. The love of the world is self-centered and looks to gain for one’s own self.
Worldly Love Vs Godly Love
On the contrary, Godly love or as the Bible claims – ‘Agape Love’, is love that is unconditional and keeps giving. Worldly love is self-love whereas Godly love is self-sacrificing love. Agape love is defined as the love of Father (God) for humans.
God loves us so dearly and He proved it through His death for us to know. Jesus Christ demonstrated this Agape Love of God when He laid down his sinless life, to save us from our sins. The Bible mentions in Romans 5:8, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Also, John 3:16 says,
“For God so lo V ed the world
th A t He gave
His on L y
Begot E n
So N,
Tha T whoever
Bel I eves
iN Him shall
have E verlasting life.”
Love Simplified
God loves us. Each of us also make every effort to love God with all that we have. In John 14:15, Jesus says, “If you love me, keep my commands.” And to make things simple for us, Jesus laid out the two most important commandments to keep. The two most important commandments as in Mark 12:30-31 are – “30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.”
As God’s children, we must continue to emulate the love that God has for us. 1 Corinthians 13 is popularly known as the ‘Love Chapter’. We read earlier from that chapter, the Biblical definition of love. God is love and He is all that the scripture portion proclaims.
Unfailing Love of God
Our goal in life as children of God is to unwrap the covering of worldly love that is stuck on us either intentionally or forcefully and let the attributes of God’s agape love grow in us and surround us. 1 Corinthians 13:13 says, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” There is no force that can prevent us from receiving the love of God. No matter what our situation is, God never fails and His amazing love endures forever. I would like to remind you that the unfailing love that God has for us would make us conquer every challenge. Keep Calm and Love God!
– RANJANI KARTHIK