True Love
February 14th is the day each year we pause and express our love for one another. In the United States alone, we spend billions of dollars on all manner of cards, gifts, and meals. That’s a whole lot of love being expressed!
But what is love? Does it matter how we define it?
It matters for two reasons. First, God has defined himself as love (1 John 4:8). And secondly, how we love our Christian brothers and sisters is a testimony to the world around us that we are indeed changed by what we believe (John 13:35).
Because of this, a false understanding of love has huge ramifications for us:
We cannot truly know God as He wants to be known.
Those around us will see little difference in our attitudes or behaviors from others who do not share our beliefs.
We will struggle to love ourselves, and by default others.
The kind of love spoken of in the verses above is true love—agape love. This Greek word describes a love that is unconditional. It is love that transcends feelings and emotions, and exists despite all things, even to those who are unlovable. It is more than a love of the will. It is a seeking love. It is a passionate love. It is a love based on principle. It is a love that desires only the good of its recipient.
Agape love is different from the other types of love. It is so much more than brotherly love or feelings of companionship or liking something (phileo). It is deeper than the affection between a parent and child (storge). And it is selfless in a way that the sexual ‘love’ of the world around us can never be (eros).
God doesn’t merely like us. We are more than an object of affection to Him. His love is not defined by convenience or selfish motives. It is broader than any emotion. He loves us more than anything else in His Creation. He lavishes upon us the full weight of a love that is both intense and unbounded, and, at the same time, of great purpose. How much does He love us? Enough it to die for us, even when we are deep in our sin (Romans 5:8).
Jesus is the embodiment of God’s love. Jesus’ love for us is patient and kind. It is not boastful or rude. His love is not self-serving. It is not easily irritated by what we do or don't do. It does not keep score. It is not based on anything but what is best for us. His love never gives up on us. It never loses faith in us. It is always hopeful. It endures through every circumstance. It lasts forever (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a).
Let us live Jesus’ example and never settle for the watered-down version of love demonstrated in the cultures around us. We are to be God’s love, a great light shining in the darkness.
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(1 John 4:8 ESV) Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
(John 13:35 ESV) "By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
(Roman 5:8 ESV) But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-8a ESV) Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
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Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
