Love

Prior Page: Introduction

This is a work in progress, but shared so that it may be a blessing in your life…

The Effect of True Redemption

True redemption creates such a dramatic shift in a person, that Jesus refers to it as being ‘born again’.

“That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” – John 3:6-8

The person who has been ‘born again’ is now ‘of the Spirit (of God)’, as opposed to ‘of the flesh’. Being of the Spirit creates a condition of absolute freedom in the person – “cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes”. This freedom comes from the person’s acceptance of the Spirit, and is described in the following sections of Love, Peace, Prosperity and Unity.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, – Galatians 5:22

Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, – 1 Timothy 1:5

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. – 1 John 4:8

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. – 1 John 4:16

Clearly, being ‘of the Spirit’ will produce the fruit of Love in a person’s life. If Love is not evident, redemption may not have occurred, regardless of what you or anyone else may think or say of your “conversion”.

The Danger of Focusing on Love Too Soon

The danger with focusing on Love too soon (before redemption) is that you’re operating under a misconception of the word that does not point to God (the source of true Love).

Love Defined

It’s important to realize that Love is not an emotion; it’s a verb. Love is a form of will; it’s something that you demonstrate. Love is a commonly misunderstood idea because the English language has lost the distinguishing forms of the word. In the Greek language (the language that the New Testament is preserved in), the English concept of Love is represented by four words with correlating distinct meanings. Therefore it’s important to dig deeper whenever you read the word Love in the Bible to understand which form the intended meaning represents.

Agápe (agápē)

There are entire volumes on the meaning and use of agápe in the Bible. However, for our purposes, it’s simply important to distinguish this form of the expression of Love as meaning a sort of brotherly love, This form of Love is demonstrated through sacrifice and of holding one in high regard.

Éros (érōs)

Eros refers to a romantic, passionate love – a love for your spouse. It is demonstrated …

Philia (philía)

Philia is a Love between platonic friends and is demonstrated by loyalty and virtue, equality and familiarity.

Storge (storgē)

Storge describes the natural affection felt by parents for their children. It is demonstrated by an intent of wellbeing for the other, as well as patience for the other’s behavior and growth.

How Love is Demonstrated

Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it; ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 22:35-40

As read in this verse, the two ways Christ calls us to Love are: 1) Loving God, and 2) Loving our neighbor. Click the links below to learn more about each.

Love for God

Love for Your Neighbor

Challenges of Love

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The Effects of Love on Your Life

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The Effects of Love on Those Around You

People are directly affected by your demonstration of Love. Those who you have always said you “love” will actually come to know Love through you. People’s lives will be affected by your testimony, charity, kindness, and ministry. Whether someone is spiritually saved through your proclamation of your faith, or someone’s day is a little brighter by catching a glimpse of the light of Christ, your Love makes a tangible difference in people’s lives.

How Love Prepares You for Peace

Through demonstrating true Love, you must overcome your pride. Pride is the primary obstacle to true Peace – Peace is not possible if your life is infested with pride. The reason for this is that pride makes us constantly compare ourselves or our situation to other people, in order to either determine that we are superior and more worthy, or to figure out what we need to do in order to become superior and more worthy.

Another reason is that pride prohibits us from allowing ourselves to forgive, which directly contradicts the nature of Peace. You cannot have Peace while harboring pride. Fear is a symptom of pride and an obstacle to Love. When you feel fear, it is your mind trying to control a situation, instead of true submission to God.

Even in a life and death situation, what is important is submission to God rather than self-preservation through fear. He will be your protector if you are fully committed to Him. God’s will will be evident in your life to the degree that we share an intimate relationship, which is based on the time you spend with Christ. He wants to know you – He wants you to be vulnerable with Him – and He wants you to know Him. But without that relationship and evidence of His presence in your life, self preservation is a necessary thing, insomuch as you are working toward opening yourself more to Him every day so that He can become more in control of your life. To the degree that you allow His control of your life, will be the degree that you can trust His protection in times of potential fear.

Pride can sometimes be difficult to identify and root out, which is why the focus must be on Love rather than on removing the pride. Pride will not survive in a life permeated with true Love and submission to Christ. True Love removes the focus on you, places it on the right objects (God and other people), and makes Peace possible, since pride (and fear) are now out of the way.

Next Page: Peace