Perhaps at the onset of 2020—especially with everything going on around us—it would be a good time to take a moment to discuss the topic of LOVE. However, with this post, we will not discuss falling in love—i.e. romantic love—but rather choosing Love. Love is/as a choice. A choice each of us will and do make every single day of our lives.
The King James uses the word charity: love, kindness, affection, tenderness
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. [1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a NKJV]
This definition/explanation of Love is most likely not what we initially think of, hear quoted or see on display, but it is the biblical expression of what God says is Love.
Here are some more glimpses into what the scriptures say about Love:
Husbands
Husbands, love your wives...as their own bodies. [Ephesians 5:25, 28]
Wives
The aged women...teach the young women...to love their husbands. [Titus 2:3, 4]
Neighbor
Love thy neighbour as thyself. [Matthew 22:39]
Brother/Sister in Christ
We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. [1 John 3:14]
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Enemy
Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you. [Matthew 5:44]
Wait, we are to love our enemy? But, why?
That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. [Matthew 5:45-48]
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The only way that we can love family, neighbors (others), and/or especially enemies is to first love God.
Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. [1 John 5:1-3]
How is it that we can love Christ/God?
We love him, because he first loved us. [1 John 4:19]
The love of God sent Christ and the love of Christ suffered the cross for us:
God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. [Romans 5:8]
Love is not always easy or simple, or maybe even what we prefer at the time. However, when we look at the love of our Father and Christ toward us—when we were lost, unlovely, enemies—it should open our eyes to realize Love is not only for those who deserve it. It is a choice. Thank you, God!
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