What Is Christian Love ... by Susie Arviso
August 30, 2014 at 8:05pm
Just as a chain is as strong as it's weakest link, Christian brotherly love is as effective and genuine as the Christian's relationship with Christ and degree of spiritual maturity; the quality of relationship they have with Jesus. (1 John 4:7-8) If the relationship with Him is weak, the love exuded from the individual will be also.
In the scriptures (1 Cor. 13:1-13) defines love in it's purest form. It's been referred to as "agape" love (or God's love). This caliper of love operates on principle rather than emotions, moods or partiality.
It is genuine and sincere. It may include emotions or feelings, but it doesn't need them in order to function.
Common, brotherly love on the other hand (man's love for man) is limited and subject to error and failure. The reason is because man himself is limited and subject to error and failure. Nevertheless, when a human being experiences God's unbiased and unadulterated love poured out to him or her, he or she - now has the ability to extend this love to others.
Without this love, the best a person can do, is to use their own understanding of what love is. What that understanding is, can vary from one person to the next.
It's not uncommon for brotherly love to be tainted or affected to some degree by selfishness; bias, neediness, manipulation, control, greed, hidden agendas, etc... depending on the individual and their condition of thinking and experience.
Just in watching TV shows like Judge Hatchett, we can see that people who used to be close or who purportedly "loved" each other, now seem to have contempt for each other, as they sue one another in court. This is part of the errant, human nature. Humans tend to base their love on feelings or conditions, or what the other person can provide and do for them.
On the other hand, when human beings connect with Christ in personal relationship and permit Him and His Word to affect and change them, the love that Christ pours into their lives begins to cause them to want to pour it out to others.
The definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13 states that love is patient and kind, it doesn't envy, nor is it jealous. It isn't boastful or proud.
It doesn't behave unbecomingly. It isn't self-seeking, it isn't suspicious or thinking the worst, nor is it easily provoked (insecure-sensitive). It doesn't take pleasure in wrong, it prefers truth and honesty. It bears, endures and hopes. It never fades or quits.
With this in mind, think about God. He doesn't just love, He IS love. (I John.4:8) Christians are well aware that God demonstrated His love by paying the ultimate sacrifice, by sending His Son to die for us. "If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." (1 John 4:11)
We love one another by pouring out to others the same love that Christ pours into us. Then, we understand what love is. Then, God's passion becomes our passion.
Essentially, if we are loving others according to God's scriptural blueprint, it will be sincerely given, with no conditions.
Sometimes in loving our brother or neighbor, just bearing or enduring them and restraining ourselves from the urge to lose our tempers might be all we can do at the moment. This is still loving. Some people can be extremely difficult and push our buttons. Keeping control of our faculties and not retaliating, is an accomplishment of real, brotherly love.
In the 12th chapter of Romans, the apostle Paul is exhorting Christians to love one another. He said: "let your love be sincere." He goes on to say to "be "'kindly affectioned'" toward one another". The word "affectioned" comes from the Greek word "philostorgos", which means "to be prone to love", or to love tenderly in the sense of cherishing another, as family. Obviously, this godly love must be chosen and entered into, deliberately and purposefully. It must be practiced.
If a Christian has little desire to love others, something is wrong with their relationship with God. The love God has poured into our lives is meant to be passed on. God's love is volitional. Love must be exercised or practiced. We don't wait until we "feel" loving. We love despite our feelings.
The scriptures tell as that we are to owe no man anything, except love. (Rom.13:8)
Love isn't a feeling but an act of deliberate kindness, honor and preference. To become an expert at something, we practice. Love becomes sincere when we exercise it toward our brothers and sisters in Christ and to all others; regardless of how we feel.
When necessary, we must sacrifice and override any personal feelings or preferences, to accomplish this brotherly love.
Human beings commonly gravitate toward what is comfortable and preferable, by nature. This is why we see people who group up into clicks. Yet, genuine brotherly love will not allow itself to show favoritism. Instead, it will reach out to all. Love isn't partial. (1 Tim.5:21)
In 1 Peter (4:8), it says: "above all things have fervent love among yourselves, for love shall cover the multitude of sins." Many Christians are tempted to point out or broadcast the faults, weaknesses and errors of others. Yet the verse here is instructing us to "cover" it with love. That word "cover" here, means to "hide or hinder the knowledge of a thing." Love doesn't take pleasure in finding fault and pointing it out. It takes pleasure in covering it. We can give ourselves all kinds of reasons why we should point out another person's faults, but this approach is neither productive nor conducive to brotherly love. It is also almost never well-received.
Jesus said "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." He also said "Let he who has never sinned cast the first stone." This 4rth chapter of 1 Peter goes on to instruct Christians not to be a "busybodies in other people's matters."
God knows we all have enough problems, faults and weaknesses of our own. We know this too, if we are honest. Genuine and sincere godly love is sacrificial in general, because it lays down its' own life, desires and aspirations for the good of all.
Genuine love isn't self-centered, selfish or self-seeking. It doesn't love for it's own benefit, but for the best interest of others. It's not about "me" and what I want. If it is, it's because we haven't been vitally affected yet by our relationship with Christ. Drawing nearer for deeper relationship with Christ is volitional and requires effort on the individual's part.
Being a Christian ... is not belonging to a 'fan club' or going through the motions of what we perceive to be Christian living. Rather, it's being involved in vital and interactive relationship with Christ on a daily basis, hour by hour. Being a Christian isn't a 'title' we identify ourselves with. As Christians we represent Jesus to the world. The world is watching. This is what it means when the scripture says to "not take the name of the Lord in vain." If we don't know Him, if we are not truly involved with Him, then we will misrepresent Him and genuine love will elude us.
Love isn't envious or jealous. We aren't in competition with each other. Instead, we are a team, using our gifts and talents to work towards the goal of overcoming our faults and weaknesses through our experiences with Christ, and helping each other to accomplish the same. If we find ourselves feeling jealous or envious of another, this isn't love.
Love isn't boastful or proud. If we were honest, we would know that we have nothing to gloat about. We are all sinners - saved by the grace of God. We are exhorted to be humble, and not just in actions but genuinely, as well. One of the things the scriptures tell us God hates, is a "proud look". In other words, exuding arrogance and pride. Just before the description of genuine love in 1 Corinthians 13, we are told that nothing we accomplish or do means anything if it isn't borne out of love.
If love isn't the force that drives us, then what we do, means nothing. "Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart". (1 Sam.16:7)
True and genuine love does not give up or quit. Feelings may want to take us in another direction sometimes, but genuine love will not go there. We may have to back off at times, or retreat to pray, but we do not give up on a person.
Many times it can seem that all our efforts and investments in another person-are in vain. Sometimes our love is not even acknowledged. I've even experienced some people actually getting offended at my attempts to love them. Yet love doesn't give up. Having grown up in an abusive home where rejection and ridicule were doled out in large doses, it became especially hard for me when my attempts at loving were rejected.
Yet, with some encouragement I'd get back up on the horse and keep trying. There is no fear in love. (1 John.4:18) It isn't easy when your hand is getting bitten off, or you are having to endure a person's distrust and resentment. Having experienced being hurt myself, I can understand and sympathize with a person in this condition. This helps me to be patient, and show understanding, which eventually quells the fire.
Genuinely loving others with God's love is not only productive, but it is worth all the sacrifice and effort, and one of of God's greatest commandments. The very act of practicing genuine, brotherly love not only has an affect on those we love, but the passion of it increases within us. (1 Jn. 4:12)
We are instructed to be like Jesus, better yet - to BE Jesus for others. (Matt.25;42-45) If we (who have received the love Christ poured out to us) cannot succeed at loving each other through practice, how do we expect to love at all?
"He that loves not, does not know God, for God is love." (1Jn.47-8)
August 30, 2014 at 8:05pm
In the scriptures (1 Cor. 13:1-13) defines love in it's purest form. It's been referred to as "agape" love (or God's love). This caliper of love operates on principle rather than emotions, moods or partiality.
It is genuine and sincere. It may include emotions or feelings, but it doesn't need them in order to function.
Common, brotherly love on the other hand (man's love for man) is limited and subject to error and failure. The reason is because man himself is limited and subject to error and failure. Nevertheless, when a human being experiences God's unbiased and unadulterated love poured out to him or her, he or she - now has the ability to extend this love to others.
Without this love, the best a person can do, is to use their own understanding of what love is. What that understanding is, can vary from one person to the next.
It's not uncommon for brotherly love to be tainted or affected to some degree by selfishness; bias, neediness, manipulation, control, greed, hidden agendas, etc... depending on the individual and their condition of thinking and experience.
Just in watching TV shows like Judge Hatchett, we can see that people who used to be close or who purportedly "loved" each other, now seem to have contempt for each other, as they sue one another in court. This is part of the errant, human nature. Humans tend to base their love on feelings or conditions, or what the other person can provide and do for them.
On the other hand, when human beings connect with Christ in personal relationship and permit Him and His Word to affect and change them, the love that Christ pours into their lives begins to cause them to want to pour it out to others.
The definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13 states that love is patient and kind, it doesn't envy, nor is it jealous. It isn't boastful or proud.
It doesn't behave unbecomingly. It isn't self-seeking, it isn't suspicious or thinking the worst, nor is it easily provoked (insecure-sensitive). It doesn't take pleasure in wrong, it prefers truth and honesty. It bears, endures and hopes. It never fades or quits.
With this in mind, think about God. He doesn't just love, He IS love. (I John.4:8) Christians are well aware that God demonstrated His love by paying the ultimate sacrifice, by sending His Son to die for us. "If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." (1 John 4:11)
We love one another by pouring out to others the same love that Christ pours into us. Then, we understand what love is. Then, God's passion becomes our passion.
Essentially, if we are loving others according to God's scriptural blueprint, it will be sincerely given, with no conditions.
Sometimes in loving our brother or neighbor, just bearing or enduring them and restraining ourselves from the urge to lose our tempers might be all we can do at the moment. This is still loving. Some people can be extremely difficult and push our buttons. Keeping control of our faculties and not retaliating, is an accomplishment of real, brotherly love.
In the 12th chapter of Romans, the apostle Paul is exhorting Christians to love one another. He said: "let your love be sincere." He goes on to say to "be "'kindly affectioned'" toward one another". The word "affectioned" comes from the Greek word "philostorgos", which means "to be prone to love", or to love tenderly in the sense of cherishing another, as family. Obviously, this godly love must be chosen and entered into, deliberately and purposefully. It must be practiced.
If a Christian has little desire to love others, something is wrong with their relationship with God. The love God has poured into our lives is meant to be passed on. God's love is volitional. Love must be exercised or practiced. We don't wait until we "feel" loving. We love despite our feelings.
The scriptures tell as that we are to owe no man anything, except love. (Rom.13:8)
Love isn't a feeling but an act of deliberate kindness, honor and preference. To become an expert at something, we practice. Love becomes sincere when we exercise it toward our brothers and sisters in Christ and to all others; regardless of how we feel.
When necessary, we must sacrifice and override any personal feelings or preferences, to accomplish this brotherly love.
Human beings commonly gravitate toward what is comfortable and preferable, by nature. This is why we see people who group up into clicks. Yet, genuine brotherly love will not allow itself to show favoritism. Instead, it will reach out to all. Love isn't partial. (1 Tim.5:21)
In 1 Peter (4:8), it says: "above all things have fervent love among yourselves, for love shall cover the multitude of sins." Many Christians are tempted to point out or broadcast the faults, weaknesses and errors of others. Yet the verse here is instructing us to "cover" it with love. That word "cover" here, means to "hide or hinder the knowledge of a thing." Love doesn't take pleasure in finding fault and pointing it out. It takes pleasure in covering it. We can give ourselves all kinds of reasons why we should point out another person's faults, but this approach is neither productive nor conducive to brotherly love. It is also almost never well-received.
Jesus said "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." He also said "Let he who has never sinned cast the first stone." This 4rth chapter of 1 Peter goes on to instruct Christians not to be a "busybodies in other people's matters."
God knows we all have enough problems, faults and weaknesses of our own. We know this too, if we are honest. Genuine and sincere godly love is sacrificial in general, because it lays down its' own life, desires and aspirations for the good of all.
Genuine love isn't self-centered, selfish or self-seeking. It doesn't love for it's own benefit, but for the best interest of others. It's not about "me" and what I want. If it is, it's because we haven't been vitally affected yet by our relationship with Christ. Drawing nearer for deeper relationship with Christ is volitional and requires effort on the individual's part.
Being a Christian ... is not belonging to a 'fan club' or going through the motions of what we perceive to be Christian living. Rather, it's being involved in vital and interactive relationship with Christ on a daily basis, hour by hour. Being a Christian isn't a 'title' we identify ourselves with. As Christians we represent Jesus to the world. The world is watching. This is what it means when the scripture says to "not take the name of the Lord in vain." If we don't know Him, if we are not truly involved with Him, then we will misrepresent Him and genuine love will elude us.
Love isn't envious or jealous. We aren't in competition with each other. Instead, we are a team, using our gifts and talents to work towards the goal of overcoming our faults and weaknesses through our experiences with Christ, and helping each other to accomplish the same. If we find ourselves feeling jealous or envious of another, this isn't love.
Love isn't boastful or proud. If we were honest, we would know that we have nothing to gloat about. We are all sinners - saved by the grace of God. We are exhorted to be humble, and not just in actions but genuinely, as well. One of the things the scriptures tell us God hates, is a "proud look". In other words, exuding arrogance and pride. Just before the description of genuine love in 1 Corinthians 13, we are told that nothing we accomplish or do means anything if it isn't borne out of love.
If love isn't the force that drives us, then what we do, means nothing. "Man looks on the outward appearance, but God looks on the heart". (1 Sam.16:7)
True and genuine love does not give up or quit. Feelings may want to take us in another direction sometimes, but genuine love will not go there. We may have to back off at times, or retreat to pray, but we do not give up on a person.
Many times it can seem that all our efforts and investments in another person-are in vain. Sometimes our love is not even acknowledged. I've even experienced some people actually getting offended at my attempts to love them. Yet love doesn't give up. Having grown up in an abusive home where rejection and ridicule were doled out in large doses, it became especially hard for me when my attempts at loving were rejected.
Yet, with some encouragement I'd get back up on the horse and keep trying. There is no fear in love. (1 John.4:18) It isn't easy when your hand is getting bitten off, or you are having to endure a person's distrust and resentment. Having experienced being hurt myself, I can understand and sympathize with a person in this condition. This helps me to be patient, and show understanding, which eventually quells the fire.
Genuinely loving others with God's love is not only productive, but it is worth all the sacrifice and effort, and one of of God's greatest commandments. The very act of practicing genuine, brotherly love not only has an affect on those we love, but the passion of it increases within us. (1 Jn. 4:12)
We are instructed to be like Jesus, better yet - to BE Jesus for others. (Matt.25;42-45) If we (who have received the love Christ poured out to us) cannot succeed at loving each other through practice, how do we expect to love at all?
"He that loves not, does not know God, for God is love." (1Jn.47-8)
