A Study on Love

[razzelflabben]

Am led to give support to this effort of describing Biblical love.



God is love <---> From 1st John 4:8+16

There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.
We love him, because he first loved us. <-----> 1st John 4:18+19

In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. <-----> 1st John 4:9+10

For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. <-----> Hebrews 2:14+15

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. <-----> 1st John 4:11

I don't want to nit pick, in fact, I wasn't gonna comment at all because this is an important aspect of biblical love, however, I have come to the understanding that some here wish to debate what biblical love really is, so let me take a moment to point out to you that the lack of fear is not a definition for love, but rather the result of love. IOW's Love is not-the lack of fear, rather the result of love is the lack of fear. This same issue comes up when we talk about I Cor. 13...I Cor. 13 is not a definition of love, but rather it is a list of identifiers that we can use to determine if we are loving others or not, or if their actions are loving toward us. It's a kind of measuring stick. Lack of fear is a similar idea, and where lack of fear is the result of love, it is not a definition of love.

Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; <-----> Romans 12:10

Fulfill ye my joy, that ye be like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. <-----> Philippians 2:2-4

And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. <-----> 2nd Corinthians 12:15

I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. <-----> 1st Corinthians 15:31

And he [ Jesus ] said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. <-----> Luke 9:23

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. <-----> Romans 12:1

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. <-----> 1st John 3:16

...The Holy Ghost witnesses in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me.
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. <-----> Acts 20:23+24

He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. <-----> John 12:25

To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. <-----> 1st Corinthians 9:22+23

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. <-----> Mark 8:35

This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. <-----> John 15:12-14

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. <-----> 1st John 5:2+3

For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. <-----> Galatians 5:13

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: <-----> Ephesians 4:14+15

Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loves another has fulfilled the law.
For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. <-----> Romans 13:8-10

If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: <-----> James 2:8

He that loves his brother abides in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. <-----> 1st John 2:10

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. <-----> 1st John 3:23

If a man say, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: for he that loves not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loves God love his brother also. <-----> 1st John 4:20+21

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him. <-----> 1st John 3:18+19

May The Lord Be Pleased !

wm

These passages are heavy on two things 1. putting others before self, something emmy seemed opposed to and 2. humility, something you seem opposed to....I did a study on humility as it came up in my study on love, it is really amazing, I'll share some of it if you are interested, I have a small section that really gets to the heart of it. Point being however, love is about putting others above self as an act of humility....that is what these scriptures are saying...putting others above self as an act of humility....

 

[razzelflabben]

Hi...sister's & brother's in Christ! i can't speak for others' concerning (Agapie) Love; but i know from GOD'S personal dealing's with me in my experience's with His Holy Spirit , Who Lives within me! One of the greatest Revelation's that Christ Jesus has shown me in Life! Is that with out His Power, i am absolutely powerless,empty & cold and void of the Power to will (((GOD'S Agapie Love)))unless He Graciously Fill's me & Will's me by His Spirit through Christ to Do so! ! It doesn't matter if:1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (ASV) 1Co 1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. 2 And if I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And if I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profiteth me nothing. Love is the Only Power that can Both, Beget life
& Kill all sin
Amen!!!

amen that is why all other love is nothing more than a counterfeit attempt to mirror something that only comes from a supernatural God. again amen

 

[wayfaring man]

Dear raz...

You do kind of come across as nit picky and trying to out define others.

And you seem to tend to exaggerate what has been said to make an argumentative response seem justified.

For instance, I said love is more of a giver than a receiver.

Then you went on like I said love is only a giver , and not a receiver .

In another post you attempt to shoot down an effort to define / describe love using words involving the casting out of fear.

Definitions / descriptions often utilize synonyms and antonyms , saying what something is like, or can be identified with , and / or stating what something is not like, or can be identified with having the absence thereof.

You seem to be on a personal crusade of some sort trying to expose all the counterfeits, as if to say that you're one who really knows for sure...

Which thing in itself can be / become an idol.

Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but charity edifies.
And if any man think that he knows any thing, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
But if any man love God, the same is known of him. <-----> 1st Corinthians 8:1-3

Not that I haven't been guilty of the same sort of thing. But am reminded by your posts of these things.

1st Timothy 6:4 warns us about "doting over strifes of words", that such comes from one being proud...and we are also warned that God resists the proud...

And gives grace to the humble.

So what do I know ?

I'm still struggling to understand a lot of things, yet I'm being told to beware of being overbearingly insistent, or being led by those who exhibit that kind of assertiveness.

Ironic how a discussion on something can bring out the very things which are contrary to the main topic.

All part of the trial, it would seem.

Sincerely,

wm

 

[razzelflabben]

Dear raz...

You do kind of come across as nit picky and trying to out define others.

And you seem to tend to exaggerate what has been said to make an argumentative response seem justified.

For instance, I said love is more of a giver than a receiver.

Then you went on like I said love is only a giver , and not a receiver .

you are entitled to your opinion....and honestly, the evidence shows otherwise, so I have (as Paul would say) a clear conscience... that being said, many many many people have problems receiving love, in fact the majority of people do, we even see it is scripture when Jesus washed the feet of the disciples. To pretend otherwise is a disservice to those who seek to know God in His fullness.

As to the nit picky, I left most of my comments go until it became apparent that you and another poster wanted to nit pick things you didn't even understand. If I was the one nit picking, I would have begun the debate, not left these things until it became apparent that I was being considered unedgecated and ignorint on the topic.

As to the definition, I was the first to present any definition at all. To try to out define anyone, I would have to have been in some kind of a dueling definition of which I refused to play, that is why I didn't say anything when you presented your definition, other than to make an additional comment about love, a biblical comment that love is so broad a topic, that all knowledge cannot contain it. If that if in your eyes some kind of dueling definition, so be it, but the evidence says it isn't.....now, biblical love is a topic I am extremely passionate about. You all can decide if you want me to share what God has shown me or you can ask me to leave and pretend I am worthless, your choice. But to accuse me of things that the evidence shows otherwise because I didn't amen everything you said, is just a tad bit...what shall we call it?...prideful...the opposite of biblical love...Enjoy your day and your discussion among yourselves hopefully you will learn more about God's love than you ever thought imaginable.

In another post you attempt to shoot down an effort to define / describe love using words involving the casting out of fear.

Where did that happen? I applauded the point that love casts out all fear...I even recall typing the words...what I said is that it is the result of love, not the definition of love. In fact, even when I was on another post and specifically said that I Cor. 13 is not a definition for love, I was told I was wrong because I Cor. 13 is not a definition for love...yep you read it right, I said I Cor. 13 is NOT a definition for love and I was corrected because I Cor. 13 is NOT a definition for love...your pulling the same type thing here and it's unproductive to learning all we can about love. My question is, why are you all so afraid to learn about God's love...why do you act as if you already know it all when scripture tells us that all knowledge isn't enough to know what God's love is. Seems to me that someone who was humble enough to admit that we can't fully understand love, would be willing to discuss and learn rather than assume to know it all. And yes, that is why I am here and why I refrained from previous comments until I was "repremanded" for speaking the truth as scripture presents it.

Definitions / descriptions often utilize synonyms and antonyms , saying what something is like, or can be identified with , and / or stating what something is not like, or can be identified with having the absence thereof.

these enhance a definition, not create it. In other words, I cor. 13 enhances our understanding of what love is and is not, but it does not define what love is, for a definition we have to look deeper into scripture.

You seem to be on a personal crusade of some sort trying to expose all the counterfeits, as if to say that you're one who really knows for sure...

Why? because I said that real love comes only from God? Another poster said the same thing and you aren't repremanding him, why the double standard?

Which thing in itself can be / become an idol.

Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but charity edifies.
And if any man think that he knows any thing, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know.
But if any man love God, the same is known of him. <-----> 1st Corinthians 8:1-3

wow, so now because I point out a few things I have learned about love, you think I am worshiping some idol of knowledge.....isn't that flaming or something, to accuse others of false attacks on their religious beliefs? Where is the love in this false attack you level at me? Please point it out so that I can learn more about love....thanks

Not that I haven't been guilty of the same sort of thing. But am reminded by your posts of these things.

1st Timothy 6:4 warns us about "doting over strifes of words", that such comes from one being proud...and we are also warned that God resists the proud...

which is why I refrained from saying many things I would like to have said, because they would only cause strife and appear to be prideful, simply because I have put a great deal of time into this study. But hey, you have already passed judgment, so why worry about it, there is no way to win when someone has convicted you before even hearing the case.

And gives grace to the humble.

So what do I know ?

I'm still struggling to understand a lot of things, yet I'm being told to beware of being overbearingly insistent, or being led by those who exhibit that kind of assertiveness.

I don't know who said this....don't know why they would have said it either....

Ironic how a discussion on something can bring out the very things which are contrary to the main topic.

that is what I have been saying to myself since the attacks of things I said and didn't say began...

 

[SeraphimsCherub]

GOD LOVES everyone & everything that we are too proud & blind to see,unless He Shows us!

 

[razzelflabben]

GOD LOVES everyone & everything that we are too proud & blind to see,unless He Shows us!

I would amen this if it wouldn't open me up to being judged without cause...ah heck...amen

 

[SeraphimsCherub]

God Bless You Sister-Razz!! Jesus "Loves" you,and that's a fact that goes beyond all that "matter's" both subjective & objective! Jesus did say that right before His second coming "the love of many shall grow cold":Matthew 24:12 (ASV) And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold.

 

[razzelflabben]

God Bless You Sister-Razz!! Jesus "Loves" you,and that's a fact that goes beyond all that "matter's" both subjective & objective! Jesus did say that right before His second coming "the love of many shall grow cold":Matthew 24:12 (ASV) And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold.

very nice and well stated...the topic of biblical love has been consuming me for several years now and continues to do so, it is nice to find someone with a passion to know who and what God is all about.

 

[wayfaring man]

Dear raz,

Well maybe I'm mistaken but to me, from the first thing you posted in this thread, you came across as someone speaking down to me, as though you were my superior.

And this seems to be your mannerism.

I'm sure I must do this too, sometimes, otherwise I couldn't identify such as coming from you.

And even if you were "attacked" as you claim, you've obviously also have made some derogatory comments... so how is that loving in a Biblical sense ?

To me your assertions do not ring as being altogether true, and there appears to be some contradictions throughout.

And at this time there's not the leading to go over them all point by point, I'd rather spend my time and energy where a more edifying spirit prevails.

Arguing is not amongst my favorite things to do.

Do agree loving involves humility.

And that humility is something we all need.

So here's to being humble, and not being aggressively self-assertive towards others.

For it is Christ's Spirit Who reveals the truth unto us.

May The Lord Be Pleased to Bless !

wm

 

[razzelflabben]

Dear raz,

Well maybe I'm mistaken but to me, from the first thing you posted in this thread, you came across as someone speaking down to me, as though you were my superior.

wow...I said you did a good study and you should keep going because it's a massive, wonderful topic to study...if that is talking down to someone we both have a problem.

Do agree loving involves humility.

actually, according to my study, humility is the core of love, iow's it is the center, love radiates from humility so to speak. When we study Jesus humility, we see in a much clearer way, how or why humility is the center, the core, the radiator of real love.

And that humility is something we all need.

absolutely.

 

[SeraphimsCherub]

I just read this post & i hate to have to break it to you brother Wayfaringman! But i believe you entirely miss interpretated Razzelflabben!! And her Theology is right on the money as far as understanding how to put in to correct word's the meaning of Bibilcal Agapie Love!! GOD bless!

 

[godisreal36]

Love is hard.

The bible says if we love god we will keep his commandments, we all failed.

Then It says that we are to walk in love, i think?
If it does say that, then it seems to be describing an action in which we can participate in this act of love that we have already failed to possess through some sort of exercise.

The exercises: patience, not getting offended easily, forgiving others, Not being proud or arrogant the list goes on....

Love is hard.

 

[razzelflabben]

Love is hard.

The bible says if we love god we will keep his commandments, we all failed.

Then It says that we are to walk in love, i think?
If it does say that, then it seems to be describing an action in which we can participate in this act of love that we have already failed to possess through some sort of exercise.

The exercises: patience, not getting offended easily, forgiving others, Not being proud or arrogant the list goes on....

Love is hard.

when we study I cor. 13 in order to "fine tune" our understanding of what love really is, we see an interesting pattern emerge. The pattern involves emotion as well as action as well as attitude. Now this in no way means that these are the only three components of love, but ti seems clear as we study, that love is emotional, action, and attitude with some other things thrown in for good measure. When we reduce biblical love to an action only, we are missing a huge chunk of what love really is and how it shapes our lives, transforming us into His likeness and image.

 

[wayfaring man]

I just read this post & i hate to have to break it to you brother Wayfaringman! But i believe you entirely miss interpretated Razzelflabben!! And her Theology is right on the money as far as understanding how to put in to correct word's the meaning of Bibilcal Agapie Love!! GOD bless!

As God is my witness, there exists within this earthly vessel a heightened sensitivity towards implication / innuendo, based in part on word selection, emphasis, punctuation, and tenor of expression.

For example:

You say above - you hate to have to break something to me with an eager exclamation, capitalizing what i do not etc.

And as it appears to this lump of clay - such translates as quite the opposite of what you claim to be the case.

And using words / phrases which emphatically assert absolutes (especially when in a negative context)- such as " entirely miss" are most often overcompensatory, and therefore not entirely true.

It's like Jesus said, we hear what we have an ear for...

Still seeking to be honest and respectful - at any rate.

Sincerely,

wm

 

[godisreal36]

Yes thank you razzle, that is what i thought as well, emotion can get out of control, however it is a part of love in some way. I love my emotions, I beleive that i need some balance though.

 

[wayfaring man]

According to the translation present here, 1st Corinthians 13 doesn't talk about "love", it talks about "charity"; which can be described as love bearing fruit, love being effectually influential, or love in action.

And now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. <-----> 1st Corinthians 13:13

Strong's defines the Greek word translated charity as being charity [which is] love [in the form of ] affection or benevolence, as a "feast".

******************************************************************

wm

 

[razzelflabben]

Yes thank you razzle, that is what i thought as well, emotion can get out of control, however it is a part of love in some way. I love my emotions, I beleive that i need some balance though.

Balance without doubt...the interesting thing about real love is that if we remove any of the things it is, (remove not minimize) it stops being real love. For example, if we reduce real love to action only, it stops being real love. If we reduce it to emotion only it stops being real love. Real love includes all these things and more. That being said, if we reduce the; say emotion, it doesn't stop becoming real love, but rather it becomes and imperfect love. God being the only perfect love, we all struggle to find this balance, it's a human condition to strive to find that balance and we should always be striving to perfect our love for God and others.

 

[razzelflabben]

According to the translation present here, 1st Corinthians 13 doesn't talk about "love", it talks about "charity"; which can be described as love bearing fruit, love being effectually influential, or love in action.

And now abides faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. <-----> 1st Corinthians 13:13

Strong's defines the Greek word translated charity as being charity [which is] love [in the form of ] affection or benevolence, as a "feast".

******************************************************************

wm

for more on what I Cor. 13 love is, consider Strong's indepth discussion found here Blue Letter Bible - Lexicon

It goes into a lot more depth about the word charity here and what I Cor. 13 is really trying to convey to us the reader....I wish I could cut and paste portions, but it won't let me.

 

[razzelflabben]

As God is my witness, there exists within this earthly vessel a heightened sensitivity towards implication / innuendo, based in part on word selection, emphasis, punctuation, and tenor of expression.

For example:

You say above - you hate to have to break something to me with an eager exclamation, capitalizing what i do not etc.

And as it appears to this lump of clay - such translates as quite the opposite of what you claim to be the case.

And using words / phrases which emphatically assert absolutes (especially when in a negative context)- such as " entirely miss" are most often overcompensatory, and therefore not entirely true.

It's like Jesus said, we hear what we have an ear for...

Still seeking to be honest and respectful - at any rate.

Sincerely,

wm

and sometimes people read into things what is not there because they wish to be offended or because of previous contact that they found unfavorable, or because of things others have said, etc. IOW's reading into things what is not there, can be a tool of the devil to cause disunity and fighting in the body...it is something we should guard against with active effort.

 

[godisreal36]

It says that perfect love, meaning you can know some love without being matured in love, and then it says that perfect love casts out fear, meaning fear will enter, it may even memain a while, but love will cast it out. This is how i currently "feel" about love and fear, may god correct me as usual.