What is Love?

A Christian Blog

How do you not start out with it, “What is love”.

In a study like this we really could go a million directions, we could go Hebrew, we could go Greek, we could just stick with English. Who is the authority, who says, what love is.

In John 15:13, Jesus says, [Jhn 15:13 NKJV] 13 "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.

The verse is plain and simple, there are no hidden meanings in the Greek, it simply means exactly what it says.

The statement echos in depth the path that Jesus, Himself, took to show His love for us, and in turn, should exemplify the love that we claim we have for others.

We say we love, but our actions tend to show a life lived for our selfish desires.

Like I said earlier, there really isn’t any hidden meaning, to lay down your life is simply that. To lay your life aside for the life of another.

It is only a person reborn, that could do such a thing. It is only a heart of Jesus that could carry out such an act, and He proved the fact that it could be done, and then through being born again in the Spirit, that very power then resides in us.

It is a command of God. Just a few verses down, Jesus says in verse 17, [Jhn 15:17 NKJV] 17 "These things I command you, that you love one another.

All around these verses, Jesus explains that the only way to do such a thing is to abide in Him, and to remain in Him, to have relationship with God, through Him.

Jesus asked of us to love, and He did not ask without first, not only showing us, but also giving us and telling us by what power He was able to do that which He was commanding us to do.

The convicting nature of such statements and actions brought me to a moment of trying to see what that might look like. Do I sacrifice everything, to help my brothers? Do I sacrifice my “alone time” or my “me time” to help and fellowship with others? Do I relax? How can I just neglect myself, and just help others, whether they ask or not? If there is a need, I fill it?

I contemplated all of that, and so much more.

I don’t have the perfect answer, but Paul gives us clues to the answer. In 1st Cor. 13:4, Paul writes the words that we read all the time, but what do they really say to us.

Love suffers long, love doesn’t quit, it doesn’t lose heart, it will go to the ends. Jesus never quit on us, He loved us through it all, and even in the midst of such, He forgave the very ones that betray and killed Him.

Love is kind, a word so basic it is the base word. Be kind, the word itself is only used once and is used with love, implying that it is the very act of love. The act of kindness is love.

Love doesn’t envy nor is it boastful. The love of a man is often revealed in his character. The basic character is to think of others and not yourself. It is part of the very definition that we revealed earlier. It is laying down your life for another. A life given over to his brother would not be envious, angry or prideful against his brother.

Love is easily identified. The heart of the man revealed in his actions. Is he an selfless or self filled?

Love is always patient, it takes time, it easily acts in love and understands how to act in the face of adversity.

Love shows no evil, none, no evil. Love it is the opposite of evil. It does not even consider unrighteousness, but yet rejoices and adheres to the truth.

Love will take on whatever is required, it will believe whatever is required, it will hope till the end, and it will endure until that end.

The definition of love, the explanation of love, it may still leave us somewhat confused.

What is Love, Baby, it won’t hurt you, it won’t hurt you.

What I can say, looking at the only perfect life, Jesus faithful gave everything He had, and in the end, He truly gave all mankind their only need when He selflessly laid down His life, just as He had said, for ours, for His brother.

In the end, it is you that will have to decide what that looks like in your life. But do not build a tale that excuses you from what the Bible says. Consult the words and commands of Jesus Himself, and weigh yourself.

Study, pray, and build yourself in the Lord so that you may not be found wanting.

Thank you for reading, and if you have any questions about God, Jesus, or Salvation, please do not hesitate to leave a comment.

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