What is love? How does it look? What does it mean to love someone? In the Bible I have found many passages that I have been meditating on trying to understand more of what Love is.
Galatians 5:6 "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
Galatians 5:13-15 "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command; 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will destroyed by each other."
Galatians 5: 22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."
1 Corinthians 13 "If I speak in tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 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, 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. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I ma fully known. And now these three remain; faith, hope and love. But the GREATEST of these is love."
Philippians 2:1-5 "If you have any encouragement fromg being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better tahn yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of the others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus."
I'm learning that Love is the most important thing to continue to learn and study about. But really loving is so much more than throwing the word around. I think about how many times a day I say, "I love chocolate, or I love coffee, or I love this or that..." really?!?! I mean those things can't love me back. What does it really mean to love? Jesus Christ is the best example of what Love is. He died on the cross for ALL men's sins. He did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but took the very nature of a servant (Phil. 2:6-7). He loves me when I dishonor Him, when I say "yes" to what I want over what He wants. He loves me when I am selfish, when I say mean things or think horrible thoughts...He still loves me. Not just me...He loves all men. He desires for all men to know Him and to know of His love, the love that only He can give. Love...what does it mean to you?
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4 comments:
The book that I'm currently reading explains love as handing your heart to someone and taking the risk that they will give it back to you because they don't want it. Love is risky. And Jesus took that risk when He died for us. He died, loving us, with the risk that we would say, "No thanks, I don't want you." Jesus knows heartbreak just like we do. So I guess right now, as I'm learning this, I'd say love takes risks. It gives everything even if it gets nothing. Praying for you!!!
I think it's really interesting to think about love as the world perceives it and then how Jesus displayed his love. I know a lot of the time, people think of love as an exclusive thing..like love between husband and wife or finding "your true love" which would, in effect, be one person. However, following Jesus' example gives us the model to love all. Of course there are different types of love, but I think it is important to make your love accessible to everyone like Jesus did rather than to save our love for a few people we know will love us back...likened to the gosepls in Matthew chapter 5 and Luke chapter 6. Thanks Julie for sharing!! :)
Julie! I love reading your blogs. I am so happy God is using you and teaching you new things about yourself & the world through daily activities! We're praying for you! God bless! :D
I love (no pun intended) how love doesn't just have one form like the words "i love you", a kiss or a present. It is a way of living. Showing others love is one of the most freeing and challenging experiences anyone could face. Praise God he showed us how to do it the right way. Love you Julie.
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