Episode 20: The Power of Love

In this Episode Saso and Ben discuss the topic of biblical love and more specifically agape love.

LOVE, verb transitive luv. [Latin libeo, lubeo. See Lief. The sense is probably to be prompt, free, willing, from leaning, advancing, or drawing forward.]

1. In a general sense to be pleased with; to regard with affection, on account of some qualities which excite pleasing sensations or desire of gratification. We love a friend, on account of some qualities which give us pleasure in his society. We love a man who has done us a favor; in which case, gratitude enters into the composition of our affection. We love our parents and our children, on account of their connection with us, and on account of many qualities which please us. We love to retire to a cool shade in summer. We love a warm room in winter. we love to hear an eloquent advocate. The christian loves his Bible. In short, we love whatever gives us pleasure and delight, whether animal or intellectual; and if our hearts are right, we love God above all things, as the sum of all excellence and all the attributes which can communicate happiness to intelligent beings. In other words, the christian loves God with the love of complacency in his attributes, the love of benevolence towards the interest of his kingdom, and the love of gratitude for favors received.

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind –

Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 

Websters 1828

Matthew 22:36-37

Love Chapter  / Agape Love

There are different types of love mentioned in the Bible. As we get into 1 Corinthians 13, we see the term love. Love in this chapter in the greek is agape love. We use the English word love and tend to think of love as this mushy, romantic, type of thing, but agape love is not a romantic love nor is it even a brotherly love. One way to describe agape love is goodwill, benevolence, and willful delight in the object of love. Agape love involves faithfulness, commitment, and an act of the will. The greatest example of Agape love is Jesus and His sacrifice on the cross for a world of lost sinners. It’s a selfless, self-sacrificing love for people.

I Corinthians 13 is also known as the love chapter. Again, when you hear the word love in these verses, it is referring to agape love.

1 Corinthians 13

The excellent way had in view in the close of the former chapter, is not what is meant by charity in our common use of the word, alms giving, but love in its fullest meaning; true love to God and man. Without this, the most glorious gifts are of no account to us, of no esteem in the sight of God. A clear head and a deep understanding, are of no value without a benevolent and charitable heart. There may be an open and lavish hand, where there is not a liberal and charitable heart. Doing good to others will do none to us, if it be not done “from love to God, and good-will to men

Matthew Henry

What is the Source of Love?

According to the Bible in the book of 1 John, the source of love is God. In fact John states that God is the definition of love.

1 John 4:7-8

Is love optional?

No, love is not optional. In fact Jesus commands it. 

• John 15:12
• John 13:34
• Romans 13:8
• Mathew 22:39-40

Examples of Love in Scripture

• 1 John 4:9-10
• Matthew 22:37-40
• John 3:16

What are the marks of love? 

Galatians 5:13

This liberty speaks of the liberty we have from the law, and we should not use this liberty to attack one another but used it by love to serve one another. 

“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; (Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

This love is seen and is characteristic of a born again believer. II Corinthians 5:17 “ Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

1 John 4:21

Matthew 19:19

Long suffering

2 Corinthians 6:6

Kindness

Ephesians 4:32

Envy

Galatians 5:26

EN’VY, n. Pain, uneasiness, mortification or discontent excited by the sight of another’s superiority or success, accompanied with some degree of hatred or malignity, and often or usually with a desire or an effort to depreciate the person, and with pleasure in seeing him depressed. Envy springs from pride, ambition or love, mortified that another has obtained what one has a strong desire to possess.

Websters 1828

True love does not do this but is rejoices with another and does not despise them for what God has given.

Humility ( Episode 4 ) 

Romans 12:16

Real love is one of service and humility. 

Forbearance

Ephesians 4:2

5 Love Languages

If you’ve not read the book 5 Love Languages, we highly recommend reading it. The five love languages are acts of service, quality time, touch, gifts, and words of affirmation. Everyone speaks a different love language. Sometimes we tend to think that everyone has the same love language, but it’s just not true. If you speak another persons’s love language, it will be more meaningful and well received. Gary Chapman has love language resources for couples, singles, men, military, children and teens. You can even take the quiz on his website 5lovelanguages.com. Also Gary does marriage conferences and we also recommend you attend.

Why is it difficult to love?

There are many reasons why we chose not to love. Perhaps you’ve been hurt, perhaps you are dealing with someone who is difficult to love, maybe you simply don’t know how to love. Some people struggle to love those that get under their skin, that irritate them and annoy them. However, as we have already mentioned love is not optional for a Christian. In listening to a sermon by Dr. Tillotson, he spoke about the unlovely and how they are like sandpaper which was easy to agree with. But then he said something about sandpaper, that it is used to refine you. The sandpaper is getting all the splinters and rough edges out making you more smooth (splinters like self control, patience, and forbearance ). Remember, love is not optional, it is a command. If we are to love, we need to love the unlovable. The reality is that Jesus did just that. Jesus loves us unconditionally.

The truth about biblical love

• God’s love never fails and is not dependent on us but is dependent on Him
• All may fail us but God’s love will never fail. Romans 8:38-39.
• Faith, hope and charity are great but the greatest of these is love.
• FTL builds on the pillars found in 2 Peter 1:5-7 in which love is the greatest. Love is the foundation and the top pillar listed in the first book. If love is the foundation or the mission of our lives, it will determine what we do and the why as to why we do it.
  

I John 4:7-12

The ultimate test of our Christian faith 

• Love for one another
• Love shows if you are born of God 
• God’s love manifested in 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.”
• God’s love should propel us to love one another and if we love one another, we know that God dwelleth in us and is made perfect in how we love one another. 

What about you, do you love the brethren? What about those red button folks? If they were to be a trial to convict you of love would you be found guilty? 

God’s love led Him to the cross what will His love propel you to do for Him?

Resources

• Contact Saso and Ben for a Bible Study
• Request Prayer
• Freedom that Lasts
• Stay in the Fight daily devotional
• 5 Love Languages