LOVE. What is it?

L O V E.

“We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.  If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.” -1 John 3:16

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God and also to those of you who are hesitant of His power. Love came down and rescued me and Love came down and rescued you.  You may believe it, you may not…but I hope this blesses you in some way, shape, or form.

In 2012, the most researched question on Google was, “What is love?” While looking for information on this topic, I came across hundreds of definitions for what love truly is. According to Scripture, love is “purposeful commitment to sacrificial action for another.” I began to ponder that definition…Let’s break it down.

Love is from God.
Love was sinless, yet came to save the sins of people.
Love was in the beginning and yet Love dwells within through the Spirit.
If we call upon God’s right hand, there Love will be.
Love is my Savior.

Love is Jesus.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 reads:

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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, and always perseveres. Love never fails.”

Love is patient. It is able to tolerate pain or trials without becoming anxious.

Love is kind. Think about words. The Book of James discusses the power of the tongue and how words can tear someone up as well as tear someone apart. James 3:10-12 reads, "Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” Kindness is supposed to be gentle, not guttural.

Love does not envy. In other words, love is not jealous. It does not desire to attain an attribute that belongs to someone else. (Personally, I struggle with this one… I need to stop focusing on the strengths of others and start focusing on the God-given strengths He has given me). You were not created to be jealous. Satan takes delight in jealousy, whereas God takes delight in love.

Love does not boast and is not proud. It builds up others, rather than praises your own personal accomplishments. (Now don’t get me wrong, I struggle with this one, too. Sometimes I find that I am so excited about something that I want to “flaunt” it to the world…but truth is, glorification of myself does not build up others). Love sees other people and wishes to encourage. My question is, why self-glorify, if you can glorify your creator with true, unwavering love?

Love does not dishonor others. Think about people for a second (okay, maybe a few minutes). What is so special about them? It could be the fact that each person is unique and handcrafted by the creator of the world; it could be the fact that each person has special giftings given to him or her so they may bless people, or maybe it is both? Truth is, why would we dishonor others if they were fearfully and wonderfully made? Why would we dishonor others if they were different? When you think about it, everyone is different...but we all have one thing in common; the ability to love. Let all that we do serve the Lord. Honoring others is a way we can do this.

Love is not self-seeking.  It seeks after the heart of someone else. The opposite of love is selfishness. Love seeks to serve, while selfishness seeks to gain.

Love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs. It does not result in hostility. It is constantly walking in faithfulness, overcoming the trials of the world with patience and gentleness. Love in itself does not hold a grudge against someone, but forgives. Think about Jesus… sinless human, born to die to make a way for humanity so that we may live in freedom. If Jesus can forgive us, can’t we forgive others? Be humble, not hostile.

Love does not delight in evil.  Think about that person that annoys you. (As sad as it is, you probably thought of that person pretty fast). Now think about why that person annoys you. Do you ever wish misfortune to come upon that person? Do you think that sometimes that person deserves to not be loved? (Trust me, this happens to me more times than I would like to confess…but guess what, love does not delight in this.) Satan delights in evil. WHY WOULD I WANT TO RESEMBLE SATAN IN ANY WAY? Reality check, Jesus delights in love. He seeks to draw people to His heart. It brings Him joy when we call upon His name and tell Him our heart’s desires. Let us take delight in the Lord and not in the desires of the devil.

   Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres.                 

LOVE NEVER FAILS.

I challenge you to think: How can you love? Okay, now go do it.