So many replies, thank you all. I hope i didn't miss anyone, if i did please repost it, thank you.
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What is love?
- Thread starter W2L
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- May 10, 2011
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What a great subject and question in the title of the OP. What is love? With a capitalized L some say Love is another word for God. Some people in the Anonymous program I am a part of use "Love" as their higher power when they have never known a concept of God before and are still struggling to accept that a higher power (or namely the G word) exists. Introducing the concept that Love is accepting of them, cares for them, and and wants the best for them is a very powerful message.
I fail so very often but when a question of conscience comes up and I need to make a choice "what would love have me do?" is an easy way to find the right answer every time.
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This scripture has shaped my thinking a lot. I am humbled as i compare myself to this scripture. Surely this is Gods work in me. I may not measure up, but i continually endeavor to follow love.
1 Co 13:4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
1 Co 13:4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
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- Mar 23, 2004
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Me too.
God help me, slow me down, and give me "pause".
I was listening to Dr. Robert Cook this morning (he has passed on, but his legacy continues) and he he says to God "this thought should not be in my mind, please remove it" and God DOES!!!
Hahaaaa! THAT is what i need to do more...lift those thoughts up to God so that He can take every thought captive.
I just sent for a book about "practicing the presence of God".
I need to do this, and to lift my thoughts up to God so He can replace my inclinations to say things without thinking, and just to release it all to Him.
Yes, love IS what is most crucial, above ALL things.
Amen.
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It seems good that we are humbled by our failures. Also good that we can learn from them. Praise the Lord.
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May we meditate on love today, and edify others, and be edified ourselves, in Jesus name, amen
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WannaWitness
Shining God's Light for a Lost World.
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Monna
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Love is the motivation behind all God does. God cannot act except in love - it is an inherent part of his character and personality.
Love is the preprequisite of living true and of enabling real freedom in community.
"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Cor 13:7)
God's love gives us faith and hope, so even when they are no longer needed, love remains. We love him because he first loved us (not only as a reciprical act, but because our love comes from him God is love, we have none of our own). We trust him because he first trusted us (not only is trust an element of love, he has believed in people from the beginning, entrusting them with his garden, with giving identity to his other creatures, giving them freedom of will. Free will is a prerequisite for true love, and only true love would dare to give free will.)
Love is the preprequisite of living true and of enabling real freedom in community.
"Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (1 Cor 13:7)
God's love gives us faith and hope, so even when they are no longer needed, love remains. We love him because he first loved us (not only as a reciprical act, but because our love comes from him God is love, we have none of our own). We trust him because he first trusted us (not only is trust an element of love, he has believed in people from the beginning, entrusting them with his garden, with giving identity to his other creatures, giving them freedom of will. Free will is a prerequisite for true love, and only true love would dare to give free will.)
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1213
Disciple of Jesus
Here are few words about love:
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God, and knows God. He who doesn't love doesn't know God, for God is love.
1 John 4:7-8
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.
John 4:24
I believe Love is Spirit and that Spirit can be seen in caring actions.
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If E = mc2 then we can divide and conclude that...
Mass (m) = Energy (E/c2)
And there are three varieties...
Natural E/c2 - All mass is basically cooled plasma
Mental E/c2 - Mentally, A mathematical formula, but this has chemical and spiritual properties as well.
Spiritual E/c2 - E (motivation, warmth, love) / c2 (faith, hope, charity, joy)
The spiritual energies and light are different from the mental and material. Therefore the spiritual light and energies cannot be bought or taught. Love flows from the wells of the spiritual and has nothing to do with our intellect or our material.
Mass (m) = Energy (E/c2)
And there are three varieties...
Natural E/c2 - All mass is basically cooled plasma
Mental E/c2 - Mentally, A mathematical formula, but this has chemical and spiritual properties as well.
Spiritual E/c2 - E (motivation, warmth, love) / c2 (faith, hope, charity, joy)
The spiritual energies and light are different from the mental and material. Therefore the spiritual light and energies cannot be bought or taught. Love flows from the wells of the spiritual and has nothing to do with our intellect or our material.
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buzuxi02
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Agape as used in the NT, is to do what is needed and necessary to the one who is loved. The one who acts out of love sacrifices his own best interests and even the self-interests and yearnings of the one being loved to accomplish what is needed not what is wanted.
Agape in classical Greek has nothing to do with modern day reincarnations, it was a philosophical term.
This is why in scripture Agape is many times coupled with the ultimate sacrifice. For God so loved the World that He sent his only begotten Son... There is no greater gift that this. That a man give up his life for his friends. Men love your wives like Christ loved his Church and gave up his life for her... etc
It is not in anyone's natural inclinations to die but love presupposes an act that overcomes natural willing, self interests, and the resolve do the painful neccesity regardless of either the one who loves to the one being loved. In some ways it can even cease to be a moral quality, opting to remove medical care for someone you love for example. When God destroyed Sodom. It's the agonizing choice to do what is necessary to liberate the one you love.
Agape in classical Greek has nothing to do with modern day reincarnations, it was a philosophical term.
This is why in scripture Agape is many times coupled with the ultimate sacrifice. For God so loved the World that He sent his only begotten Son... There is no greater gift that this. That a man give up his life for his friends. Men love your wives like Christ loved his Church and gave up his life for her... etc
It is not in anyone's natural inclinations to die but love presupposes an act that overcomes natural willing, self interests, and the resolve do the painful neccesity regardless of either the one who loves to the one being loved. In some ways it can even cease to be a moral quality, opting to remove medical care for someone you love for example. When God destroyed Sodom. It's the agonizing choice to do what is necessary to liberate the one you love.
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