Definition: Love

A major hurdle in logic is that of definition. To truly understand each other we have to try and arrive at a common understanding of the elements we are discussing before we can really share a conclusion. The problem of definition is commonly present when we quote John 3:16 to people:

“For God so loved (Agape) the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
- John 3:16 NIV

We sometimes run into the problem that people's definitions of "love" vary so greatly. Depending on the definition you use, this this passage could take on a wide variety of meanings. Having watched television lately, some peoples idea of love may be kind of scary to consider!

Of course, the real meaning in this passage is what God intends when He says "Love". The word underlying Love in this passage is "Agape". So to find what this passage means we have to find out what God means by "Love/Agape".

Some might want to use a definition out of a Greek textbook, but we're in luck! We don't need man's analysis because God gave us His definition of what Agape means right in the New Testament. That definition is found in 1 Corinthians chapter 13, (commonly called, "The Love Chapter".)

“But eagerly desire the greater gifts.
And now I will show you the most excellent way.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love (Agape), 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 (Agape), I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love (Agape), I gain nothing.

Love (Agape) is patient, love (Agape) is kind. It (Agape) does not envy, it (Agape) does not boast, it (Agape) is not proud. It (Agape) is not rude, it (Agape) is not self-seeking, it (Agape) is not easily angered, it (Agape) keeps no record of wrongs. Love (Agape) does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It (Agape) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love (Agape) 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 a 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 am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love (Agape). But the greatest of these is love (Agape).”
- 1 Corinthian 12:31-13:13


Accept no human reasoning, use God's definition of Love! Now, let’s diagram the key points of this definition, if only very simply:

Love (Agape) Is:

Patient
Kind

Love (Agape):

Keeps no record of wrongs
Rejoices with the Truth

Love (Agape) Is Not:

Proud
Rude
Self-seeking
Easily angered

Love (Agape) Always:

Protects
Trusts
Hopes
Perseveres

Love (Agape) Does Not:
Envy
Boast
Delight in Evil

God tells you what His Love is and what it isn’t. He tells you what Love does and what Love does not do. Frankly, God's Love is very extreme! As is often the case, God’s perfection is simple, but impossibly difficult.

Love, to God, is an all encompassing, all forgiving, perfect Love. Doesn't it give you chills knowing that the Creator of the Universe, God Almighty feels that Love for you right this moment?

Now hold onto that big warm fuzzy while you consider this: WE are ALSO commanded to Love just the same way God Loves us. WE are to Love with Agape! Scared yet? Take a look at this small sampling of the commands:

“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church…”

“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”

“love your neighbor as yourself.”

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

“This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,”

“Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,…”

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

“We love because he first loved us.”

“We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death.”

If your heart just dropped and your mind just said, “It’s too much! I can’t do that!” then congratulations! You understand these commands. If you aren’t overwhelmed, then you missed the scale of what's being commanded. This is a command and an overwhelming load that no human can possibly bear alone.

Praise God! We are not alone! We can do these things to the extent that we allow God to do these things through us. As Paul and John said so clearly:

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
- Philippians 4:13 NIV

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God.
- 1 John 4:7

Y'know, it is a pleasure to have you visit this blog. A prayer is that you find Jesus held up and glorified in this.



But y'know, the most wonderful thing would be if you were to stop for a moment right now and tell God, Our Father, what is on your heart right now.





Would you do that right now?



Please?



God bless you and much Love to you.

The Homosexual Distraction

Am I the only person who is getting really frustrated with the amount of talk we hear from pulpits and ministries about homosexual sin?

Granted, homosexual activist are aggressively pursuing an agenda to normalize homosexuality through a variety of cultural and political mechanisms. This does bring the issue to the forefront and create additional concern for many Christians right now. But, let's leave that off the table for a moment.

Let’s look at two important points regarding the homosexuality discussion:

1) Let's not soft-peddle this, the issue is Cowardice.

To stand up in front of a church full of heterosexual Christians and denounce homosexuality is generally an act of cowardice. Why, you ask? Simple: Over 50% of most congregations are divorced and in adulterous 2nd (or 3rd or 4th) marriages, roughly 80% of the church body is inactive in any ministry or outreach for Christ and by any measure a majority of the attendees are "sold out" to secular values and materialism.

To stand up in front of this crowd and denounce homosexuals, (who are not present and won't make waves,) is just plain cowardice! The Pharisee's worked this same angle and Jesus called them on it:

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye."
- Matthew 7:3-5 NIV

2) Jesus and Homosexuality.

Homosexuality was abundant in the Roman Empire at the time of Christ*. Have you ever noticed how much time Jesus spent preaching against homosexuality? None! Nada! Zip!

Simply put, homosexuality is just a sin. The key to overcoming sin is SALVATION! Although this verse is a little out of context, there is no question that it also pertains to this issue as well:

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33 NIV

Let’s recap…
Here are the alternatives:

Save their souls
(and homosexual behavior will stop as God's Spirit transforms them. )

OR

Stop acceptance of their views of sex
(but leave their souls untouched so they will spend eternity in Hell.)

Jesus left no doubt where his concern was: He came to seek and to save the lost. Should we do any less?


Has political activism become a distraction which allows us to neglect the REAL purpose of our calling? Isn't it easier to talk to a friend or stranger about your political beliefs than about your faith in Christ?

What were we told to do?

"Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- Matthew 28:18-20

May we ALL be saved through the wonderful love of God by the sacrifice of His Son for all of our sins!

* There is another subject that would detract from this topic so we'll save it for later.