"What Is Love?"

How many times have we heard something about God's love? The countless lessons on I Cor. 13 or John's writings in I John 4:7-8? With all the teaching/classes and articles written, still one of the most lacking aspect in those claiming Christ as theirs is love. Over the last few years, I have come to realize how few really know how to love, especially among preachers! I'm still working on it!

As long as everything moves along smoothly, no one rocks the boat, there is little distress in peoples lives. The moment someone says something that is slightly off the way we think, suspicions arise and the emotions become stirred. We feel threatened and think we have to correct such thinking in the lives of others. Some believe it is their duty to correct people and have a strong desire to do so. (That's not always the wisest move.) Some never think of trying to help the other person but they take an attitude of avoidance! From this point, what controls you? Love or your feelings?

Sometimes brethren aren't the kindest in the approach of things. Some are blunt (which they call being straight forward) and rude. Their words can be sharp, cutting and hurtful but they believe they are helping. (I've been here and had to repent of this!) Let me ask you, those in Christ, shouldn't we expect them to act like Christ? That would be ideal but that's not reality. Some of the most vicious people on earth are those claiming to belong to Jesus! What does one do? Listen to Paul: "Here for this third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek what is yours, but you; for children are not responsible to save for their parents, but parents for their children." (II Cor. 12:14) Notice carefully Paul's attitude toward them. What is he seeking? What's best for them! He will not burden them or expect from them. That's love! But it doesn't end here. "And I will most gladly spend and be expended for your souls. If I love you the more, am I to be loved the less?" (II Cor. 12:15) What was Paul looking at? Their souls! The soul is what is most important to God and Christ. The love of God allows you to look at the soul, which will over-ride the emotion. Too many work off their emotions and never come into true love. If Paul loved them that much, shouldn't he expect to be loved back in the same manner? We would think so. What if they don't expend themselves back for Paul and love him back? What would he do? "But be that as it may..." (II Cor. 12:16) It did not matter one bit to Paul whether or not they loved him back. It won't stop him from being expended and doing what is best for their soul. This is what godly love is all about!

God's feeling about our ungodliness didn't stop Him from seeking our highest good. He gave His all for our eternal well being. Christ was the offering for us and did God get our love in return? No! He received from us rebellion, stubbornness and hate. Did that stop God from trying to reach us? No! Jesus knew that. "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) There's the depth of love! How many of us love like that?

To love one another is not an emotion or prompted from an emotion. Emotional love, which too many work off of, limits how far you will reach and react emotionally! God's love is different and much deeper. People hurt us and we want to avoid them. Love looks at the soul and does what it can to help the situation. People say things that aren't exactly right and we give no allowance for growth but jump them for their statements. They never look at the soul to see what really needs to be done. People do things to us unintentionally yet we hold to that deed done to us and it stays with us. That's not love because true love would let it go so it would never become a hindrance.

Without love, when you get hurt, you will pout and not consider the best for the other. You see it in marriages all the time between mates. Here's the danger: as you close the door to your hurt, you will slowly but surely drown in bitterness and hate! "By this will all men know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." (John 13:35) Disciples of Christ love and will always do what is best for the others soul. There are no barriers in that.