BIBLICAL LOVE DEFINED

Why would I write an article on love? Because we need to understand that when the Bible speaks of love; this love is an action that we take, not a feeling. Love is a verb, and not always associated with pleasurable feelings. We need to know this because we live in a selfish culture that promotes pleasure, comfort, and good feelings; selfishness is the root of all sin. Too often when we think of the word love, we limit it to romantic affection, to tolerance, and making others feel good. When the word love is mentioned in the Bible, the word agape is almost always used. Our Bible translations are derived from the Greek texts. Greek is a more precise language than English. Greek has three words for love, viz. eros, phileo, and agape. Eros refers to a passionate romantic love for another person, an experience or object; sometimes a lust for something. Phileo is more of a brotherly love, and agape is a sacrificial love. Agape love is synonymous with sacrifice. Agape love is also equated with obedience. Jesus said: If you love Me you will keep My commandments.

St. Thomas Aquinas defined love as “Desiring and doing the best for others”. This is a very good definition and in keeping with the two great commandments; to love God supremely and your neighbor as yourself. Desiring the best for your neighbor involves making sacrifices for them, remembering that love is a verb, an action, as well as the desire to want the best for all people.

LOVE IS A VERB

When the Bible tells us that we are to love God supremely, and love our neighbor as ourselves; it’s referring to the agape or sacrificial & obedient love. We’re to make sacrifices for both God and our fellow man. We are to love God by obeying Him; doing what He tells us to do, and not do. We’re to love our neighbor in what we tell them, and do for them. James 2:15-17 If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. 

A parent doesn’t always give a child what they want, but rather what they need. Disciplining them for their own good is agape love. Warning people that they are in danger of eternal damnation if they don’t repent, is agape love; even at the risk of embarrassment or cost of a friendship.

Jesus spent more time warning people Hell, than He did telling them about love or Heaven. He spoke 3 times on God’s love for mankind, and 190 times on repentance, Hell and judgment. Most people didn’t like Jesus! John 7:7: The world hates Me, because I testify that its deeds are evil. He also told us not to be surprised when the world hates us! Many people don’t want to hear the message of Christ, yet it is what they need to hear.

This is true biblical love. Doing the right-thing isn’t always easy; but we are called to do it! I hope this has given you something to think about?