Love is an intense feeling of deep affection and a great pleasure and interest in something. (Merriam-Webster)
Love is an intense feeling of deep affection and a great pleasure and interest in something. (Merriam-Webster)
THE EXPLANATION OF LOVE
Love is a powerful word. When you hear the word love, what thoughts come to mind? Take a few minutes now and close your eyes and think about that word. What are your thoughts, feelings, and emotions? Write those answers down on a piece of paper. Now, ask yourself, is love:
1) An Emotion?
2) An Action?
3) A Choice?
Look at the words in bold in the description above under the title heading. The word “feeling” is a noun (a name connected to an emotion) and the word “interest” (a name connected to an action). Love is a decision that we make, which follows the emotions we feel, and moves us into activity to nurture that relationship. To me, it sounds a lot like love is a choice we make.
JESUS CHOSE US
Jesus was not forced to love us. He CHOSE to love us. He loved us just as we are - - unconditionally. So, love is a choice! Jesus made the choice to come to this earth to share God’s truth and died for us to show us how much he loves us. His love for us is pretty clear and is, no doubt, the greatest act of true love.
LOVE CONNECTIONS
Love allows us the decision to choose to love something or someone. Love looks different depending upon the relationship we are in. There is 1) Romantic Love, 2) Friendship Love, 3) Family Love, and 4) Loving Your Fellow Man. But it is in these different relationships that God has given us a “love framework” to show us how to love.
In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Jesus gives us a perfect description of what love looks like. It is how He loves us and how we should love each other.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
What a loving description of what true love is. And, as we go through this life and encounter and experience many relationships, we have a reminder of what love looks like to help us along the way.