Philosophy View of Love
An intense feeling of deep affection.
A great interest and pleasure in something.
A person or thing that one loves.
In tennis, squash, and some other sports.
Biblical View of Love
Let all that you do be done in love.
1 Corinthians 16:14
Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:8
There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.
1 John 4:18
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
I would regard love as a set of strong and positive emotional and mental states. Love can vary in intensity and can change over time. Most commonly, love is referred to as a feeling of strong attraction and emotional attachment. Wouldn't it be great if we could require someone to love us? You might be saying to yourself or asking how can we require love? Love is an emotion you can't require someone to have.
If love was a feeling, I would agree. But feelings are only a part of love and a very unreliable part at that. Jesus did say I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.
This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you.
John 15:12 KJV
The love God requires from us for himself and for each other is the highest form of love, (agape love) love like his. It is a love of the head rather than a love of the heart. A love that it determines to be concerned, first and foremost for the loved one’s wellbeing in every dimension of their lives whatever the cost to ourselves and irrespective of the reaction.
The Bible says that God is love, which makes the Word of God the perfect source to know what love means and how we can be loving neighbours. There are many Bible verses about love which reveals that our world has skewed the meaning of true love, but God's Word remains a steadfast, true source of knowledge. Read and meditate on scriptures from the Holy Bible that demonstrates God’s love and what it means to love others and we will see the change in our hearts and minds that comes from pursuing self-less love.
Two perfect examples of love in the Old and New Testament:
1.God requires that we love Him --- Deuteronomy 6:5; 10:12
And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. Deuteronomy 6:5 KJV
And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul. Deuteronomy 10:12 KJV
2.God’s Son requires that we love Him—Matthew 10:37
He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Matthew 10:37 KJV
If we are commanded by God to love and love demands loving actions whether we feel like them or not, then we need to be obedient. Our love for God needs to be demonstrated, as God demonstrates his love for us. Serving others make such love grow. The challenge is that if love is a command, then as far as I am concerned, love is a decision, a decision to obey God. According to the book of John 14:24 stated that Jesus said everyone who doesn't love me will not do what I say.
He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. John 14:24 KJV
So how can we know that we love God? By being obedient. Jesus said, “those will keep my commandment the ones who love me” This verse relieves my anxiety, as I am always worried that I was not loving God enough. My fears are based on my erratic feelings toward him. These words of the Lord take the whole concept out of the realm of doing. Now that I can handle! what can I do to show God, I love him? I can do unto others. This is what he requires.
He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
John 14:21 KJV
Few ways to show God how much we love him
Pray to God
2. Do good things
3. Honor God's name
4. Love yourself so that you can love your neighbour
5. Love your enemies
6. Practice forgiveness and compassion with others
Few ways to show people you love them
1. Write a note
2. Fast and pray with them
3. Encourage them in the word of God
4. Don't gossip
5. Use the magic words, for example
6. I am sorry, please and thank you
READ AND BE BLESSED
Comments