WHAT IS LOVE?

Without love - “I am nothing.”

(I Corinthians 13: 2)

All of us think we know what love is. We all desire it. We long and search of it. Our songs sing about it. “Is this love that I'm feeling? Is this love that I've been searching for? Is this love or am I dreaming?” Another song says, “I want to know what love is. I want you to show me. I want to feel what love is.”

Where can we find the meaning of true love? The answer is found in the Scriptures....

THE EXAMPLE OF LOVE

The writer of First John states what real love is - It's “God!" (I John 4:8) He doesn't stop there, but gives his readers an example of Real Love being shown through the sacrificial gift of His Son, “God has sent his only begotten Son!”(I John 4:9,10) In his gospel account, the Apostle John, again, shows us that “God So Loved, He gave His only begotten Son.” (John 3:16) In the Letter to the Romans, Paul proclaims, “God Demonstrated (proved) His Own Love toward us...Christ (sacrificially) died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Jesus said there is “no Greater Love than is this, that someone lays down his own life for his friends.” (John 15: 13) Real love can be seen by giving.

THE ACTION OF LOVE

Many people think love is just a feeling, it's more than that. Love is not something you say, but it's something that you do by choice. Love is an action word. Next to Psalm 23, John 3:16 is the most quoted verse in the Bible. It has been called “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written.” It is know as the “Miniature Gospel” The best interpreter of the love of God is His love for man. From this wonderful verse we see God's love in action:

1.) The Vastness of His Love. God “so” loved. How much did God love....He love us soooo much!! The magnitude of his love is beyond describing or comprehension.
2.) The Object of His Love. Who did God love? The “world” - all of mankind.
3.) The Expression of His Love. How did God say I love you? He didn't just say it, but He showed it through the giving of His “Son,” Jesus, on the cross at Calvary.
4.) The Recipients of His Love. Who can receive God's love? John simply states, “Whoever Believes” - Anyone!! To receive God's love (salvation), we must accept it by faith (Eph. 2:8), simply to trust and obey. Scripture says, “But as many as received Him (accepted His sacrificial love), to them He the right to become the children of God, to those who believe ( place their trust) in His name.” (John 1:12)
5.) The Benefit of His Love. All love stories end wth a “happy ever after.” What else can be said? “Whoever believes in Him....(not someday, but now) has Everlasting Life!” How long is everlasting...It's fovever! Romans 8:35-36, 38 - “Can anything separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean He no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry or cold or in danger or threatened with death? Nothing can ever separate us from His love! Death can't and life can't. The angels can't and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away!” (NLT)

THE BEHAVIOR OF LOVE

I Corinthians 13 is one of the famous chapters in all the Scriptures, and is considered by many Christians as their favorite. It has come to be know as the “Love Chapter.” The writer, the apostle Paul, mentions several facts about love. Without love, we are just a loud noise with no meaning. Even if we have all knowledge, understanding, power, faith and even to the point of martyrdom...Without love – We are nothing!! Verses 4 through 7, Paul gives us the behavior of love:
1.) Love is Patient - Suffers long.
2.) Love is Kind.
3.) Love is not Envious nor Jealous.
4.) Love is not Boastful nor Brags - “Does not parade itself.”
5.) Love is not Arrogant nor Conceited – “Puffed up.”
6.) Love is not Rude - “Behave rudely.”
7.) Love is not Selfish - “Does not seek it's own.”
8.) Love is not Irritable or easily Angered – “Is not provoked.”
9.) Love doesn't Keep Record or wrongdoing.
10.) Love is not Sin-Loving - “Does not rejoice in sin.”
11.) Love is Truthful -”Rejoices in the Truth.”
12.) Love Bears all things – Protects and Supports.
13.) Love is Trusting nor Suspicious -”Believes all things.”
14.) Love is Hopeful.
15.) Love is Enduring.
Paul concludes by urging us to pursue (the behavior of) love above all. (I Cor. 14:1)

THE COMMAND TO LOVE

The opposite of love is hate. Both are natural emotions. One is positive and the other, negative. One can bring about good and joy, while the other brings sadness and destruction. All the Ten Commandments are hinged on what is know as “The Two Great Commandments” 1.) To love God with all our heart, and 2.) To your love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:28-34) From the Parable of the Good Samaritan, “Who is my neighbor” - Illustrates that love is expressed in actions, dedicated for the good of of others regardless of who they are. (Luke 10: 25-37) Jesus commanded us to “love one another” and by doing this all people will know we are his followers. (John 13:34,35; 15:12,17) I John 3:18. “Let us stop saying we love love each other: let us really show it by our actions.” (NLT)

Conclusion: What is love? Love is an Action. Love is Sacrifice. Love is a Lifestyle and Love is a Choice. Without it, we are nothing!!