1st John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God. The one who does not love has not known God. For God is Love. The word "love" normally has around nine or ten definitions in most English dictionaries. A review of some of these definitions tends to indicate that "love" is always based on something. But this is only natural, as the roots of the word come from Latin. Specifically lubere or libere, meaning "to please". "Love", as used in the New Testament comes from the Greek language. And in Greek, there are many different shades and meanings of "love", defined by different words (like philo or agape). This is not meant to be a language lesson. The point of the above is simply that the word love, as used in the Bible has specific meanings that are much narrower in focus or have somewhat different meaning than might be implied by the use of the English word "love". In the case of the above verses, God's unconditional love is the subject. Love, in this case refers to something outside of normal human experience. But to understand it, we need to approach it from the human perspective.
The word love, in everyday usage, tends to follow its Latin roots. For instance, some people love chocolate, and some people love to shop. We also love things about each other. How often do we love the way a person looks, the way a person acts, or what a person does? Some might find this analysis a bit superficial. However, an analysis of divorce rates would indicate we humans tend to love in a superficial manner. Because much of what we call love is superficial, it changes with both time and events. We can get tired of chocolate or shopping. Over time find another less attractive. With prolonged exposure to others, we can find that along with the things they do that we love, there are things they do that annoy us to no end. In the modern age, everything changes so quickly. So is it any wonder that we sometimes have trouble comprehending the unconditional love that God has for us? However, there are some examples of human love that can bring us closer to an understanding of Gods unconditional love. It is a fair guess that most of us have had parents, and many of us have children. And that those of us who have not grown up in dysfunctional families have experienced a parent's love. Parents do not stop loving their children because they have been bad, or because they act in an unlovable manner. Parents do not discipline their children because they do not like them; they do it out of love. Parental love takes us in the direction we wish to pursue to understand Gods unconditional love. But, it still falls short of the mark. Because what did God do out of his unconditional love for us? John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Romans 5:8 But God commends his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. There is no dictionary definition for this kind of love. It is unconditional, and available to any who seek it. It is a love that can fill us and heal us. God is willing, and it is there for the taking. Mark 1:40-41 And a leper came to Him, begging Him and kneeling down to Him, and saying to Him, If You will, You can make me clean. And Jesus, moved with compassion, put out His hand and touched him, and said to him, I will; be clean! Like the man in the above scripture, we to can be healed and made clean. We too can fall on our knees and acknowledge Jesus as God's provision for our sins. For He is willing, and we can be clean! Yet many people are troubled by the proclamation of Gods unconditional love, and they have questions that deserve answers. Many would ask, "If Gods love is unconditional, no mater what, how could he possibly condemn anyone to eternal of suffering"? The problem is that this question is backwards. To paraphrase a colloquialism, "the carts before the horse". God has not condemned anyone to eternal suffering. We did that all on our own. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. It is only through Gods grace and unconditional love that we have a chance to avoid this fate. The correct question is "How can we be so foolish as to not take advantage of Gods unconditional love and offer of salvation"? That still leaves the question, how do we take advantage of Gods unconditional love and His offer of salvation? John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. It is more than saying we believe, though that is the start. It is also obedience to God. And while no one is perfect, making an attempt to live in accordance with Gods will is the greatest testimony any Christian can give. So say it, think it, and believe it! Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Last update : Saturday, 15 September 2007
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By: karla (Guest) on 11-03-2010 02:14