LOVE - What It Is and What It Is Not
Love is the greatest force in the universe. We know its source: God! “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 John 4:8).
The Bible makes it clear that love is to be a part of who we are and all we do. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God” (1 John 4:7). “And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also” (1 John 4:21). “By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments” (1 John 5:2).
“And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself” (Luke 10:27).
Since we are commanded to love God and others, it is vital that we know God’s definition of love.
Love is defined both by what it is and what it is not. Love is seen by what it does and what it doesn’t do. Let’s look at the love chapter in The Passion translation.
Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. It refuses to be jealous when blessing comes to someone else. Love does not brag about one’s achievements nor inflate its own importance. Love does not traffic in shame and disrespect, nor selfishly seek its own honor. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense. Love joyfully celebrates honesty and finds no delight in what is wrong. Love is a safe place of shelter, for it never stops believing the best for others. Love never takes failure as defeat, for it never gives up. Love never stops loving. It extends beyond the gift of prophecy, which eventually fades away. It is more enduring than tongues, which will one day fall silent. Love remains long after words of knowledge are forgotten. Our present knowledge and our prophecies are but partial, but when love’s perfection arrives, the partial will fade away…. Until then, there are three things that remain: faith, hope, and love—yet love surpasses them all. (1 Corinthians 13:4–10, 13, TPT)
Wow! Each time I read this passage, I am inspired and overcome with gratefulness. It brings me to tears to know that this is the way God loves us. I am also challenged because He expects me to love others this same way. But then God reminds me that I can love others in this same masterful way—through His love and the power of His Spirit.
Check your love output: How are you doing? If you’re a little empty, go to the Source and let Him fill you up.
