Love is one of the most common, yet misused and misunderstood words in the English language. On the bookshelf
love is synonymous with romance and seldom used without a sexual connotation.
On television, love is depicted by programs like
Love Boat.
Commercials tempt the audience to pay for a call to a love connection,
where companions can be matched or where romantic secrets are told.
Even Christians have a very fuzzy grasp of the meaning of love. The lyrics of all too many contemporary Christian songs use the word love in a way that falls far short of that which the Bible defines and describes.
I love the way you love me are the words of one song. The meaning seems to be,
I love the warm, fuzzy way you treat me and make me feel so good.
Toyota's television commercial says the same thing
I love whatcha do for me Toyota.
No mention is made of God Himself, of who He is.
There is no mention of the chastening of the Lord as a manifestation of His love for us (see Hebrews 12:3-13).
There is no mention of our subordination or service, to God or to others.
Love is a subject of vital importance, not only because of our fuzzy ideas about what love really is, but because love is a matter of highest priority:
But now abide faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love" (1 Corinthians 13:13).
For a number of reasons, Paul regards love as greater even than faith and hope. To show the magnitude of the importance of our study, allow me to summarize these.
(1) Love is greater than faith and hope because love is eternal, while faith and hope are temporal (see 1 Corinthians 13:8-13). Because that which God has promised cannot presently be seen, faith and hope are necessary in this life. But when the perfect comes, when our Lord returns and we are living eternally in His presence, we will no longer need faith, for we shall see Him and experience all that He has promised. Our hope will be fulfilled. Our love for Him, however, will last for all eternity, inspiring our worship and service in His presence.
(2) Love is the appropriate response to God's love and grace, in Christ (see Luke 7:42, 47).
(3) Love is the great commandment and one of the distinguishing marks of a true disciple of our Lord (Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:33; Luke 6:27-36; John 13:35; 15:12-13).
(4) Love facilitates and contributes to Christian unity (John 17:20-26; Colossians 2:2; 3:14).
(5) Love is the lubricant which greatly reduces the friction which can build up between us and others (Ephesians 4:2; 1 Peter 4:8).
(6) Love is a key motive for our obedience to our Lord's commands (John 14:15, 21, 23, 24; 15:10; 21:15-17; 1 John 5:2; 2 John 1:16).
(7) Love is a stabilizing factor in our lives (Ephesians 3:17).
(8) Love is the goal of Paul's teaching as it should be the goal of all Christian teaching (1 Timothy 1:5).
(9) Love is the one command which encompasses all aspects of our Christian life (Romans 13:8-10; 1 Corinthians 16:14).
(10) Love makes our service more profitable to others and to us (1 Corinthians 8:1; 13:1-13).
(11) Love is a key element in our defenses against Satan's attacks and devices (1 Thessalonians 5:8).
(12) Our love can and should be constantly growing (Philippians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 2 Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 10:24; 2 Peter 1:7).
(13) Our love can grow cold, especially in difficult times (Matthew 24:12; Revelation 2:4)
http://www.angelfire.com/mb2/memberofheart/allforyou/WishingYou.html
2006-08-17 00:55:52 · 6 answers · asked by Heart 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Praise the Lord!
2006-08-17 01:01:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are right, Love is the most misused and misunderstood word in the world. and the bible tells us flat out what Love really is.
God is love, not the other way around. yet the world has turned it around to fit any situation and desire.
thanks for your illustration and for defining such a misused word.
♥
2006-08-17 01:07:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow. Long one. IMO, love can be somewhat overlapped with these words:
lust, passion, romance, affection, attraction, admiration, attachment, enthusiasm, devotion, endearment, loyalty, adoration, amorous, cherish (and maybe some more).
That is why it is so confusing. But don't worry. If you love doing the research on this word you will surely find your love in here.
2006-08-17 01:07:22 · answer #3 · answered by Kanda 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not a Question but a good answer-would u join our 360 on creativity in Jesus please press to be a friend if u got a 360 if not get one its a great chance to be a witness throughout the land-many anti Jesus so its a battle spriitually grand-and pray for us and i will you-you got good insight but make it a question or u can get thrown out
2006-08-17 01:35:01 · answer #4 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just wondering, but what is your point here?
Love is not about quotes you find in the bible, and your interrpretation.......
Seriously, without quoting the bible, what are your true feelings in regards to love?????
2006-08-17 01:07:49 · answer #5 · answered by Mintjulip 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe you --- millions wouldn't.
2006-08-17 01:07:59 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋