INTRO
It's the month of love. The atmosphere ideally lends itself for unforgettable moments with those we love and hold dear. We think that there can never be too much love in the world and it should be celebrated, and Valentine’s day has been symbolically set aside for the celebration of love and romance. Hopeless romantics set the mood with the 'rituals' of candles, flowers, scents, romantic tunes, wine, cakes and ice creams of exotic flavors, all for that special someone or as a ploy for seductive romance. And many times, all the beautiful feelings and expressions are nothing but a fanfare of fancies, passion in the moment. When it's all done, we slide back into the usual humdrum routines of everyday life. Love is, however, more than a fanfare of fancies, more than a moment of passion, more than a day or night of seductive romance or even the rituals that romantics have come to make of it. From a biblical perspective, let's take a peek into the phenomenon of love.
THE IMPORT OF LOVE
Love is a virtue of God (not of the world). Peter says we have been called by His own glory and virtue [moral excellence or goodness] (2 Pet. 1:3.) That is we share God's nature or character. We have the capacity to express this moral excellence, of which love is core. We demonstrate this communicable attribute of God, first by loving God, who first loved us and second by loving others the way God loves us (volitionally and unconditionally). Our demonstration of love finds meaning and expression only in our love for God.
Love is a virtue of God (not of the world). Peter says we have been called by His own glory and virtue [moral excellence or goodness] (2 Pet. 1:3.) That is we share God's nature or character. We have the capacity to express this moral excellence, of which love is core. We demonstrate this communicable attribute of God, first by loving God, who first loved us and second by loving others the way God loves us (volitionally and unconditionally). Our demonstration of love finds meaning and expression only in our love for God.
THE IMPERATIVE OF LOVE
#We are configured to love (Rom. 5:5 ).
We are God's workmanship and so we are a masterpiece of His love. (Eph. 2:10). It was as if God puts us on display as models of His love, to the world.
#We are configured to love (Rom. 5:5 ).
We are God's workmanship and so we are a masterpiece of His love. (Eph. 2:10). It was as if God puts us on display as models of His love, to the world.
#We are commanded to love (Eph. 5:1-2).
First, because we have the inherent capacity to love. Second, we have the tendency in our soulish faculties to do otherwise (Eph. 5:3-5).
First, because we have the inherent capacity to love. Second, we have the tendency in our soulish faculties to do otherwise (Eph. 5:3-5).
#We are compelled to love (Rom. 13:8).
We are obligated to love, we are creations of love, created to love, in loving others we fulfill the law.
We are obligated to love, we are creations of love, created to love, in loving others we fulfill the law.
THE IDENTITY OF LOVE (John 3:16, 1John 3:14-19, 1John 4:7-20)
#Love is selfless:
It is devoid of self (personal) gratification.
It does not seek sensuous pleasures.
It is not emotional or filial- it is volitional.
It is a demonstration that is consistent with our configuration- just as God's love is consistent with His character or nature.
#Love is selfless:
It is devoid of self (personal) gratification.
It does not seek sensuous pleasures.
It is not emotional or filial- it is volitional.
It is a demonstration that is consistent with our configuration- just as God's love is consistent with His character or nature.
#Love is self-giving:
God's love means that God eternally gives himself to others.
Love is self-giving for the benefit of others. Love is benevolent, not malevolent. The whole idea of self-giving is that the one who can give him/herself will give everything (Rom. 8:32). Love gives, it doesn't take (obtain). Every true lover is a giver, but not every giver is a lover. People give for obnoxious or egotistical reasons. Because we are a 'workmanship' of love- we exhibit good works of love- touch lives, build lives, add value to lives.
God's love means that God eternally gives himself to others.
Love is self-giving for the benefit of others. Love is benevolent, not malevolent. The whole idea of self-giving is that the one who can give him/herself will give everything (Rom. 8:32). Love gives, it doesn't take (obtain). Every true lover is a giver, but not every giver is a lover. People give for obnoxious or egotistical reasons. Because we are a 'workmanship' of love- we exhibit good works of love- touch lives, build lives, add value to lives.
#Love is sacrificial:
Love is not pricey; it is priceless. However it is costly- it takes something significant away from you. It cost God His only beloved son. It cost Christ his divine status and privilege and his life. It cost him sharing his inheritance with us. If it doesn't cost us something significant- it may not be love. When it is sacrificial- it can be 'painful'.
FINALLY
In loving (whether God or others) we don't feel short-changed, because we are unmistakably conscious of God's love to us, which is continuously diffused, produced in us in an overwhelming measure by the Holy Spirit (Room. 5:5).
In loving (whether God or others) we don't feel short-changed, because we are unmistakably conscious of God's love to us, which is continuously diffused, produced in us in an overwhelming measure by the Holy Spirit (Room. 5:5).
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