What Love Is: A Biblical Perspective on True Love

 

What Love Is: A Biblical Perspective on True Love

Introduction

Love is a concept that holds significant meaning for people all over the world. It is a word we use often, but what does it truly mean? In this article, we will explore the nature of love from a biblical perspective, drawing wisdom from the New International Version (NIV) of the Bible. While love is a term that encompasses various emotions and desires, we will focus on the kind of love that aligns with God's will and teachings.

Love as Obedience to God's Word

The Bible is clear about love being intertwined with obedience to God's word and commands. In 1 John 5:3 (NIV), it states, "In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome." This verse highlights that love for God is manifested through our willingness to follow His guidance and instructions. True love, therefore, starts with a genuine commitment to live according to God's will.

Love through Accepting Christ as Lord and Savior

A foundational aspect of Christian love is accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. John 3:16 (NIV) beautifully encapsulates this truth: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Love, in the Christian context, is about recognizing God's ultimate act of love in sending His Son to save humanity and responding by accepting Jesus into our hearts.

Love in Baptism for the Remission of Sins

Baptism is another essential aspect of Christian love. Acts 2:38 (NIV) states, "Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'" Baptism is an outward expression of repentance and faith, symbolizing the washing away of our sins and the renewal of our commitment to God's love.

Love through the Reception of the Holy Ghost

The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in Christian love. In John 14:16-17 (NIV), Jesus promised, "And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth." Receiving the Holy Ghost is a manifestation of God's love, as it provides guidance, comfort, and spiritual empowerment to walk in love and fulfill God's purpose.

Love as Obedience to God's Word

A recurring theme in the Bible is the importance of obeying God's Word. In John 14:15 (NIV), Jesus states, "If you love me, keep my commands." Love, as demonstrated by Jesus, is intrinsically tied to our obedience to God's Word. To truly love God is to live according to His teachings and principles.

Love through Seeking Truth and Light

Love is closely connected to seeking truth and light through God's Word. John 8:12 (NIV) records Jesus saying, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life." Love entails coming to the light and truth of God's Word, allowing it to guide our actions and decisions.

Love in the Service of Others

Love is not passive but active. Galatians 5:13 (NIV) emphasizes this point: "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." True love is expressed through selfless service to others, mirroring the love and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

Love as Continual Prayer

Prayer is a vital component of love. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV), it says, "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Love is expressed through constant communication with God, seeking His guidance and thanking Him for His love and blessings.

Love as Truth Spoken by the Holy Spirit

Love also involves speaking the truth as revealed by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 4:15 (NIV) encourages us to "speak the truth in love." When we allow the Holy Spirit to guide our words and actions, we reflect God's love and truth to those around us.

Love as Sharing, Caring, and Doing What is Right

Love encompasses sharing, caring, and daring to do what is right. Philippians 2:3-4 (NIV) advises, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others." Love seeks the well-being of others and strives to do what is right and just.

Love as Friendship with God

James 2:23 (NIV) speaks of Abraham as a friend of God: "And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God's friend." Love is about cultivating a deep friendship with God, engaging in conversation and communion with our Heavenly Father.

Love as the Source of Joy, Peace, and Happiness

True love brings profound joy, peace, and happiness. In John 15:11 (NIV), Jesus declares, "I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." Love is not merely a fleeting emotion but a constant source of inner fulfillment and contentment that comes from knowing we are saved through Christ's sacrifice.

Love Beyond the Sensual

Often, love is associated with sensual or physical pleasures, but true love transcends mere physical sensations. It is a divine and selfless love that originates from God and flows through us to others. It is not limited to romantic or physical aspects but encompasses a much deeper and spiritual connection.

Moving Beyond Self-Gratification

In our modern world, love is often misunderstood as a means of self-gratification. People claim to love something or someone based on how it makes them feel or the pleasure it brings. However, this perspective is fundamentally flawed, as it revolves around "me, me, me" and self-centered desires.

When we claim to have fallen out of love with someone or something, what we are really saying is that it no longer brings us the pleasure, joy, or happiness we seek for ourselves. This perspective is rooted in selfish desires and needs.

Losing the "Me, Me, Me" Syndrome

True love, according to the Bible, calls us to lose the "me, me, me" syndrome and embrace a selfless and Christ-centered approach to life. This transformation is beautifully encapsulated in Matthew 10:39 (NIV): "Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it." It is about relinquishing our self-centered desires and embracing God's purpose for our lives.

Taking up the Cross and Following Christ

Following Jesus' teachings, we are called to take up our cross daily and follow Him, as mentioned in Luke 9:23-24 (NIV): "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it." True love involves self-sacrifice and a commitment to God's path.

Love as the Way of Life

In 1 Corinthians 14:1 (NIV), the Apostle Paul encourages believers to "follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy." Love is not merely a feeling but a way of life, encompassing all aspects of our existence. It is the foundation upon which all spiritual gifts and actions are built.

The Fruits of the Spirit

Galatians 5:22-26 (NIV) describes the fruits of the Spirit, which include love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities are the result of a life surrendered to God's love and guidance. Love is the root from which these beautiful attributes grow.

Crucifying the Sinful Nature

True love involves crucifying our sinful nature, as stated in Galatians 5:24 (NIV): "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." Love requires us to put aside our selfish desires and align our lives with God's purpose and righteousness.

Living by the Spirit

Living by the Spirit means walking in step with God's guidance and being led by His love. Galatians 5:25 (NIV) reminds us, "Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." When we live in harmony with God's Spirit, love naturally flows from our hearts to bless others.

Avoiding Conceit and Envy

Love also urges us to avoid conceit, provocation, and envy, as noted in Galatians 5:26 (NIV): "Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other." A loving heart is humble and seeks to build up others rather than tear them down.

Love: It's Not About You

In essence, love is not about us; it is about God, His purpose, and others. This truth is emphasized in Matthew 16:24 (NIV): "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.'" Our lives are not about fulfilling our desires but about fulfilling God's will and bringing Him glory, honor, and praise.

Serving Others and Fulfilling God's Purpose

The ultimate purpose of love is to serve others and fulfill God's divine plan. This aligns with God's desire to bring about the immortality of all people, as stated in 1 Corinthians 15:22 (NIV): "For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive." Love seeks to share the message of salvation and lead others to eternal life in Christ.

Love: It's Always About Them

Contrary to the world's self-centered perspective, love has always been and will always be about others. True and everlasting love is experienced when we serve the Lord by serving those around us. This selfless love mirrors the love of Jesus Christ, who gave His life for the salvation of humanity.

Experiencing True Love

We can only experience true and everlasting love when we lose ourselves, pick up our cross, and follow Jesus. This love is not based on what we receive or how we feel but on what we give from the heart without expectation or anticipation of anything in return.

Love is like a priceless gift given freely, saying, "Here it is, I'll accept no returns, no exchanges, all sales are final, you own my gift, and the cost to you is $0.00." This is the essence of God's love for us, and when we model this love in our lives, we find pleasure, joy, happiness, and fulfillment.

Conclusion

In conclusion, love, as defined by the Bible, is a profound and selfless commitment to God's will and the well-being of others. It is not about seeking self-gratification or momentary pleasures but about living a life of obedience, service, and sacrifice. True love flows from a heart transformed by the love of God and extends to all those we encounter. It is in losing ourselves and following Christ that we discover the true meaning of love, a love that is eternal, selfless, and everlasting.