What Is Biblical Love?

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Ztheberean

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Love edifies others in the word of God (Eph 4:16); this is how we are to serve one another (Gal 5:13); we can do this after we have waited on the Spirit for this righteous and loving ability (Gal 5:5-6) Love speaks the truth so that others may grow up. (Eph 4:15) God wants our love to abound more and more in (godly) knowledge and in all (righteous) judgment (Phil 1:9). Let us follow after this love (1Tim 6:11); Love provokes others to do this good work (Heb 10:24); Let this brotherly/sisterly love continue (Heb 13:1) Therefore love has nothing to do with giving stuff away. (1Cor 13:1-2) For we know nothing about love unless we know that love edifies others in the knowledge and wisdom of God. (Eph 4:16) This is the one mind we are to have so that the God of love and peace shall be with us. (2Cor 13:11) This is how we can love our neighbor as ourselves. (Gal 5:14) We are to know those who are among us who labor in the word of God, so that we can esteem them very highly in love for this gracious work. This is how we can be at peace among ourselves. (1Thess 5:12-13) This is how we can be holy ( meaning, understanding, see Prov 9:10) and without blame before Him (God); and rooted and grounded in love. (Eph 1:4, 3:17) Love can rejoice in this truth that reveals grace. (1Cor 13:6, Col 1:6) If there is to be any fellowship of the Spirit, and comfort of love let us be like minded, and of one accord so that we could experience this same love. (Phil 2:1-2) This is how we show our love to the saints, by writing these things down, so that others may be edified and built up. (Col 1:4, 1 Tim 3:14, 1 Cor 4:14, 2Cor 2:4, Est 9:30) It’s all about increasing and abounding in this love, one towards another, and towards all men. (1Thes 3:12) Let us ASK the Lord to direct our hearts into this love of God; without which we will have a disorderly walk which is not what we want to receive. (2Thess 3:5-6) Let us ASK of God to purify our souls, so that we could obey this truth through the power of the Spirit so that we could have sincere love for our brethren, within a (made)pure heart(1Pet 1:22); because we know that we are born again by the word of God. (1Pet 1:23) Let grace be with all those who (are willing) to love our Lord Jesus Christ within this sincerity. Amen. (Eph 6:24)
 

betchevy

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Man well said.... This was really meant for me today as I had a bad experience just last night with someone who said they wanted me to understand their point of view and then went to call me a blasphemer and a Jew who is not really a Jew but of the synagogue of Satan. Your words remind me that true love spoken out of the Spirit would have never said those things...God bless you for these wonderful healing words...
 

jaareshiah

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Love is a feeling of warm attachment or deep affection, as for a friend, for a parent or child; the warm fondness or liking for another; also the benevolent affection of God for his creatures or the reverent affection due from them to God. It is furthermore the kindly affection properly expressed by God's creation of humans toward one another. The Scriptures too speak of love guided by principle, as love of righteouness, or even love for one's enemies, for whom a person may not have an affection. This facet or expression of love is an unselfish devotion to righteousness and a sincere concern for the lasting welfare of others. The verb ’a·hev´ or ’a·hav´ (“love”) and the noun ’a·havah´ (“love”) are the words primarily used in Hebrew to denote love in the Bible. The Christian Greek Scriptures, commonly called the "New Testament", mainly employ forms of the words a·ga´pe, phi·li´a, and two words drawn from stor·ge´. E´ros, love between the sexes, is not used, though the Greek Septuagint uses forms of it at Proverbs 7:18 and 30:16, and there are other references to romantic love in the Hebrew Scriptures, such as when Isaac “fell in love with” Rebekah (Genesis 24:67), and in the case of Jacob, who apparently fell in love with beautiful Rachel at first sight. In fact, “Jacob proceeded to serve seven years for Rachel, but in his eyes they proved to be like some few days because of his love for her.” (Genesis 29:9-11, 17, 20) Then there is the strong family love, or natural affection, based on blood relationship, for which the Greeks had the word stor·ge´. It is responsible for the saying, “Blood is thicker than water.” We have a fine example of this in the love that the sisters Mary and Martha had for their brother Lazarus. That he meant much to them can be seen by how greatly they mourned his sudden death. And how they rejoiced when Jesus restored their beloved Lazarus to life! (John 11:1-44) The love a mother has for her child is another example of this kind of love, for the apostle Paul said that " we became gentle in the midst of you, as when a nursing mother cherishes her own children." (1 Thessalonians 2:7) Thus, to underscore how great his love was for Zion or the nation of Israel, God stated that it was even greater than that of a mother for her child.(Isaiah 49:15)One indication that we are living in “the last days” with their “critical times hard to deal with” is a lack of “natural affection" (2 Timothy 3:1, 3), love based on blood relationship, with some grown children neglecting their aged parents or parents abusing their children, such as the father who stabbed his eleven month old son in the back and threw him out the window in Indianapolis, Indiana. Then there is the Greek word phi·li´a, denoting affection (with no sexual overtones) between friends, as between two mature men or women. We have a fine example of this in the love that David and Jonathan had for each other. When Jonathan was killed in battle, David mourned him, saying: “I am distressed over you, my brother Jonathan, very pleasant you were to me. More wonderful was your love to me than the love from women.” (2 Samuel 1:26) The Greek noun phi·li´a (friendship) is found only once in the Christian Greek Scriptures ("New Testament"), where James warns that “the friendship with the world is enmity with God . . . Whoever, therefore, wants to be a friend (phi´los) of the world is constituting himself an enemy of God.”(Jas 4:4)What is the noblest kind of love ? By far, in the Christian Greek Scriptures, commonly called the New Testament, a·ga´pe "love" is. This kind of "love" is not sentimentality, based on mere personal attachment, as is usually thought of, but is a moral or social love based on a deliberate willingness to follow principles. A·ga´pe (love) transcends personal enmities, never allowing these to cause one to abandon right principles and to retaliate in kind. A·ga´pe (love) can also include deep feelings. The apostle Peter wrote to "Have intense love (a·ga´pe ) for one another" at 1 Peter 4:8. Thus, it can be said that a·ga´pe involves the heart as well as the mind. What Greek word did Paul use at 1 Corinthians 13:13, where he mentioned faith, hope, and love and said that “the greatest of these is love”? Here the word is a·ga´pe, the same one that the apostle Peter used when encouraging ones to "have intense love" and when John used it, at 1 John 4:8,16, when he said: “God is love (a·ga´pe )". This is a love guided or governed by principle. It may or may not include affection and fondness, but it is an unselfish emotion or feeling concerned with doing good to others regardless of the merits of the recipient or of any benefits accruing to the giver. Love of this kind caused God to give the dearest treasure of his heart, his only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ, “in order that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) As Paul so well reminds us: “Hardly will anyone die for a righteous man; indeed, for the good man, perhaps, someone even dares to die. But God recommends his own love (a·ga´pe ) to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:7, 8) Yes, a·ga´pe does good to others regardless of their status in life or the cost to the one expressing the love.
 

Albert Finch

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1 John 5:3,4 - For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Affirmation THE WORD IS BORN OF GOD. THE WORD OF GOD WILL OVERCOME THE WORLD. WORLD-OVERCOMING FAITH IS IN MY SPIRIT RIGHT NOW. John 15:10 - If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.[/i]
 

Wakka

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Love of God over all else. With the love of God, you'll love man, etc.
 

mikev

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There is so much that could be said on this topic, but let me add that Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." So many times between Christians there seems to be no love, only criticism and judging. Since Easter is still fresh in our minds, remember it was Jesus hanging in agony and pain, rejected, reviled, betrayed and denied who said, "Father forgive them..." I will just speak for me - I am still growing.
 

Albert Finch

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Song of Solomon 3:10 - He made the pillars of silver and the couch of gold. the ascent is of purple and the middle of it is decorated with love for the daughters of Jerusalem. THE PILLARS OF THE HUMANITY OF JESUS CHRIST ARE OF SILVER. HIS COUCH, WHICH IS THE DIVINE NATURE OF CHRIST, IS MADE OF GOLD. THE ASCENT, OR THE ENTRY WAY, SPEAKS OF THE JOURNEY OF JESUS CHRIST. THE MIDDLE OF THE ROYAL CHARIOT IS DECORATED WITH GOLD ORNAMENTS; THIS SHOWS THAT LOVE IS THE CROWNING GLORY OF ALL THE FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT.JESUS CHRIST CONTAINS ALL THE TREASURES OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE IN THE FULLNESS OF THE GODHEAD.
 

Albert Finch

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Song of Solomon 4:3 - Your lips are like a scarlet thread, and your speech is sweet. Your cheeks are like a piece of pomgranate, besides that which is hidden within. The Lips represent the will. The will kisses with affection that which it loves. As your will comes to love God alone, all your affection is toward Him. The affections are reunited in a single-hearted love for God. All the strength of the will is given to God.
 

shutin45

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QUOTE (Ztheberean @ Mar 15 2007, 10:56 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=7832
Love edifies others in the word of God (Eph 4:16); this is how we are to serve one another (Gal 5:13); we can do this after we have waited on the Spirit for this righteous and loving ability (Gal 5:5-6) Love speaks the truth so that others may grow up. (Eph 4:15) God wants our love to abound more and more in (godly) knowledge and in all (righteous) judgment (Phil 1:9). Let us follow after this love (1Tim 6:11); Love provokes others to do this good work (Heb 10:24); Let this brotherly/sisterly love continue (Heb 13:1) Therefore love has nothing to do with giving stuff away. (1Cor 13:1-2) For we know nothing about love unless we know that love edifies others in the knowledge and wisdom of God. (Eph 4:16) This is the one mind we are to have so that the God of love and peace shall be with us. (2Cor 13:11) This is how we can love our neighbor as ourselves. (Gal 5:14) We are to know those who are among us who labor in the word of God, so that we can esteem them very highly in love for this gracious work. This is how we can be at peace among ourselves. (1Thess 5:12-13) This is how we can be holy ( meaning, understanding, see Prov 9:10) and without blame before Him (God); and rooted and grounded in love. (Eph 1:4, 3:17) Love can rejoice in this truth that reveals grace. (1Cor 13:6, Col 1:6) If there is to be any fellowship of the Spirit, and comfort of love let us be like minded, and of one accord so that we could experience this same love. (Phil 2:1-2) This is how we show our love to the saints, by writing these things down, so that others may be edified and built up. (Col 1:4, 1 Tim 3:14, 1 Cor 4:14, 2Cor 2:4, Est 9:30) It's all about increasing and abounding in this love, one towards another, and towards all men. (1Thes 3:12) Let us ASK the Lord to direct our hearts into this love of God; without which we will have a disorderly walk which is not what we want to receive. (2Thess 3:5-6) Let us ASK of God to purify our souls, so that we could obey this truth through the power of the Spirit so that we could have sincere love for our brethren, within a (made)pure heart(1Pet 1:22); because we know that we are born again by the word of God. (1Pet 1:23) Let grace be with all those who (are willing) to love our Lord Jesus Christ within this sincerity. Amen. (Eph 6:24)
Ahhh...A beautiful Scriptural and timely message/rhema on such a beautiful day
smile.gif
Thanks Ztheberean for starting this topic, and ALL the others who elaborated, clarified, and otherwise commented in further posts. In Christ,Jim
 

Albert Finch

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Matthew 24:12 - And because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold.Love is a passion for oneness. There is no such thing as love without commitment. People withdraw from being committed, never realizing that their love is growing cold! They still go to church, read the bible, tithe, sing and look like Christians -- but inside they have become distant and aloof from other people. They have withdraw from the love of God. Albert Finchwww.thekeys2kingdom.com
 

Jordan

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QUOTE (Mike Verdicchio @ Apr 16 2009, 12:44 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=72664
There is so much that could be said on this topic, but let me add that Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." So many times between Christians there seems to be no love, only criticism and judging. Since Easter is still fresh in our minds, remember it was Jesus hanging in agony and pain, rejected, reviled, betrayed and denied who said, "Father forgive them..." I will just speak for me - I am still growing.
Easter literally has nothing to do with God at all... Christ died at Passover which is God's Holy Day and became our Passover Lamb. (I Corinthians 5:7)
 

Albert Finch

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Song of Solomon 4:3 - Your lips are like a scarlet thread, and your speech is sweet. Your cheeks are like a piece of pomegranate, besides that which is hidden within. "Your cheeks are like a piece of pomegranate." The pomegranate has many seeds all contained in one single rind. Likewise, all your thoughts are reordered in God by a pure and perfect love. All that has been described here is nothing compared with all that is yet concealed in the deepest depths of your spirit.Albert Finchwww.thekeys2kingdom
 

Albert Finch

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Revelation 3:19,21 -- "As Many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous therefore, and repent. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne." In the first three chapters of the book of Revelation, Jesus did not tell the churches they were "perfect in His eyes." No! He revealed to them their hearts; He told them their sins. Without compromise, He placed on them the demand to be "overcomers," each in his own unique and difficult circumstance.Psalm 139:23,24: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way,"Albert Finchwww.thekeys2kingdom.com
 

Albert Finch

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1 Corinthians 2:9 -- "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." Creative art is produced by the soul (mind, will, and emotions) and can also be called imaginative art. Creative art can change a person for the short-term, but it has no long-term effect on its viewers. Spiritual art flows from our spirit's communion with the Holy Spirit. The spirit then uses the soul and body to produce incredible work. Too often we have setteled for creating from our soul or body when a higher call has been trying to reach us. May we learn to create from our spirit, seeing spiritual fruit that comes from our endeavors. Albert Finchwww.thekeys2kingdom.com
 

Albert Finch

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Thessalonians 2:10-12 - And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. So God will allow them to believe a deluding influence with all their hearts, and all of them will be justly judged for believeing falsehood, refusing the Truth, and enjoying their sins. The freedom that comes from knowing the truth is freedom from sin and its consequences. For those who do not love the truth, God allows a "deluding influence" (Greek: An "Activity of error") to come upon them. Each area of our lives where truth is not ruling has for its substitute an "activity of error." Each area of our lives that is controlled by sin is an aspect of our soul that is under deception. John 8: 31,32 - If you continue in my Word, then are you my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. Albert Finchwww.thekeys2kingdom.com
 

Albert Finch

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Ephesians 3:19 - And to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fulness of God.There is a place greater than knowledge where we abide in Christ's love. This is, indeed, the stronghold of God. It is a place where our knowledge of God is fulfilled with the substance of God. We cannot truly know God without, in some way, also experiencing His person. We must seek Him until we pass through our knowledge into an encounter with the almighty. We must learn how to listen to Him; as we hear, our call is to the ascend higher to the dwelling place of love that floods our being with Himself.Albert Finchwww.thekey2kingdom.com
 

Albert Finch

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Guarding My HeartProverbs 4:23 - Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life. If God truly rules in my heart, if Jesus is Lord of my life and I do what He says, then the Kingdom of God (His dominion, presence, power, glory, love, and anointing) will continually flow out of me and take authority over the things coming against me.Albert Finchwww.thekeys2kingdom.com
 

Brother James

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I am not convinced that love is a feeling. I think many times we confuse the feeling we have toward others or toward God as "love" when it is really our own need for closeness. Love is not needy. Love, I believe, is an action. It is how we treat one another, how we work at jobs we may not like in order to provide for our families, how we give our time to our children, how we work to make the lives of others better. These are also the actions that express our love of God.Jesus expressed His love of us through action. "Greater love hath no man than this..." was a teaching about actions, not feelings.
 

Albert Finch

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Exodus 34:14 - You shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God. The Lord did not say He was, at times, jealous; He said His name, which reveals His nature, is "Jealous". Right next to His name "I Am" is His name "Jealous". His jealousy for us is perfect. It is not the same as human jealousy: petty, possessive and insecure. His jealousy is based upon His pure love for us and His desire to bless us and fulfill our lives in Him. His love is not some ethereal principle of "higher cosmic consciousness." His love is focused upon us, actually jealous for us as individuals. Observation Jesus knows my name. Jesus loves me personally. Jesus gave all for me. Jesus deserves all from me.James 4:5 - Or do you suppose it is vain that the scripture says, "He yearns jealously over the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us."John 10:3 - To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice; and He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.Albert Finchhttp://www.thekeys2kingdom.com