What About Love?

[Lu]

What About Love?


Is it overlooked?

Is it important?


God's LOVE 
LOVE God
LOVE One Another
Faith Worketh by LOVE
LOVE of Truth
Rooted and Grounded in LOVE

Consider these verses:

Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the LOVE of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. 

Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his LOVE toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that LOVE God, to them who are the called according to [his] purpose. 

Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the LOVE of Christ? [shall] tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Rom 8:39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the LOVE of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 

Rom 12:9 [Let] LOVE be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 

Rom 12:10 [Be] kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly LOVE; in honour preferring one another; 

Rom 13:8 Owe no man any thing, but to LOVE one another: for he that LOVETH another hath fulfilled the law. 

Rom 13:10  LOVE worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore LOVE [is] the fulfilling of the law. 

Rom 15:30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the LOVE of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in [your] prayers to God for me; 

1Cr 2:9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that LOVE him.
 
1Cr 4:21 What will ye? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in LOVE, and [in] the spirit of meekness?
 
1Cr 8:3 But if any man LOVE God, the same is known of him. 
     
2Cr 5:14 For the LOVE of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 

2Cr 6:6 By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by LOVE unfeigned,
     
2Cr 11:11 Wherefore? because I LOVE you not? God knoweth.

(God searcheth the heart) 

2Cr 12:15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I LOVE you, the less I be loved.
 
FAITH WHICH WORKETH BY LOVE -

Gal 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by LOVE. 

Gal 5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only [use] not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by LOVE serve one another. 

One word, LOVE -

Gal 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, [even] in this; Thou shalt LOVE thy neighbour as thyself. 

Gal 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is LOVE, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
Meekness, temperance, against such there is no law. 

Eph 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in LOVE: 
 
Eph 2:4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great LOVE wherewith he loved us, 

Rooted and Grounded in LOVE

Eph 3:17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in LOVE, 

Eph 3:19 And to know the LOVE of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
 
Eph 4:2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in LOVE; 

Eph 4:15 But speaking the truth in LOVE, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ
: 
Eph 4:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in LOVE,
. 
Eph 5:2 And walk in LOVE, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 

Eph 5:25 Husbands, LOVE your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 

Eph 5:28 So ought men to LOVE their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. 

Eph 5:33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so LOVE his wife even as himself; and the wife [see] that she reverence [her] husband.
 
LOVE With Faith

Eph 6:23 Peace [be] to the brethren, and LOVE with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Eph 6:24 Grace [be] with all them that LOVE our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
 
Phl 1:9 And this I pray, that your LOVE may abound yet more and more in knowledge and [in] all judgment; 
 
Phl 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same LOVE, [being] of one accord, of one mind. 

Col 1:4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the LOVE [which ye have] to all the saints,
 
Col 1:8 Who also declared unto us your LOVE in the Spirit. 

Col 2:2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in LOVE, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; 

Col 3:19 Husbands, LOVE [your] wives, and be not bitter against them.
 
1Th 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of LOVE, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father; 

1Th 3:12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in LOVE one toward another, and toward all [men], even as we [do] toward you: 

1Th 4:9 But as touching brotherly LOVE ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 

1Th 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and LOVE; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 
 
LOVE of the Truth

2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the LOVE of the truth, that they might be saved. 

2Th 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the LOVE of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 

1Ti 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and LOVE which is in Christ Jesus.
 
1Ti 6:10 For the LOVE of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
 
1Ti 6:11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, LOVE, patience, meekness.
 
2Ti 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of LOVE, and of a sound mind.
 
2Ti 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and LOVE which is in Christ Jesus.
 
2Ti 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that LOVE his appearing.
 
Tts 2:4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to LOVE their husbands, to LOVE their children, 

Tts 3:4 But after that the kindness and LOVE of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
 
Tts 3:15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that LOVE us in the faith. Grace [be] with you all. Amen.   

Phm 1:5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 

Phm 1:7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy LOVE, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. 

Phm 1:9 Yet for LOVE'S sake I rather beseech [thee], being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. 

YFIC,  Lu

[Christine]

Great Question, Lu.

The ONLY source from which we can draw this wonderful thing called LOVE is from God. Where I think the problem comes in is in OUR definition of "LOVE" and the Bibles definition of "LOVE."

Is Love when you "feel" something? Is it the "warm fuzzies?"  Or is love a "choice" we make to take a course of ACTION that will better the life of another, even in a small way?

I cannot even love God, myself or others correctly without HIM doing the loving in and thru me. This is a lesson well learned by all of us during the course of our life. He has all the love we need to "dispense" toward others. The question is: will we appropriate it? Do we choose to dispense LOVE even when its NOT convenient? Do we love only those who love us? What about those who despitefully use us or hurt us?

Hmmmmmm....now I'm moving into the area of meddling instead of preaching.....LOL LOL

All these things need to be dealt with, as the world is standing on the sidelines saying the same thing in different words. Can you hear them? "Can't we all just get along?"  "Wheres the LOVE?"

Do we see where we must get our initial definition of the word before we can REALLY answer this question?

Just food for thot.

[Lu]

I would probably describe love as caring and showing kindness.
If we deeply care about God and heavenly things; we love God.
As an ambassador we show kindness as we walk in the Holy Spirit.
As for unbelievers that hate us, walk away, do not repay evil for evil. If the unbelievers are family or people that you have to work with, probably pray for them that they might understand.
Be meek, but stay strong in spirit in what you have learned.
eh? 

YFIC,  Lu

[Christine]

I would AGREE!

What about those times when ya don't "feel" particularly "loving" or "kind" towards someone? In fact, what if they have done or said something particularly despicable? Is love PRIMARILY how we "feel" or how we choose to take ACTION on behalf of another?

[Lu]

I would AGREE!

What about those times when ya don't "feel" particularly "loving" or "kind" towards someone? In fact, what if they have done or said something particularly despicable? Is love PRIMARILY how we "feel" or how we choose to take ACTION on behalf of another?

Well, the last time someone said something particularly despicable to me, I was shocked and then sad.  I kindly left the relationship pointing out a Bible verse that fit the situation.

YFIC, Lu

[Roofdad]

I don't think that we can learn love. I DO think that we can learn how to allow God to love through us. Recently, on various forums, etc., people say the most horrible, despicable things about believers, in general, and about God the Father, or the lord Jesus Christ, in particular. I used to get very angry, and start arguing with them. God began speaking to my heart. He tells me that He loves that person, just as much as He loves me. As I began yielding to this, I found compassion for these types of people. I pray for them, that God would show them the need for Christ, if it be in His divine will.
In the flesh, it is hard. Especially if they have been calling you crude names, or something of the sort. But, I have been finding that if I try to see as God sees, it is a lot easier to feel love and compassion for them.
I have a small roofing company, and recently, one of the GC's (General contractors) that I did work for, did me wrong. I trusted him, and ended up being owed $8,000.00. He does not intend to pay me. It has been too long to file a lien, and so, I either take him to court, and have hard feelings (in my flesh, I would like to beat the tar out of him!!), or I forget it, and pray that God heals him of the greed in his heart. I can make more money, elsewhere, right? BUT, can I get another chance to show God that my heart is where it needs to be, and that I can indeed, "pray for someone that has despitefully used me"?
I must forgive this man. That is what I feel called to do. But I can only do it through Christ, who strengthens me! In myself, I would "whip him like a red-headed stepchild"! (No offense to any redheads out there!)

Yes, I think we MUST love through Christ. Ours is always conditional.

[NewDawn]

I don't think that we can learn love. I DO think that we can learn how to allow God to love through us. Recently, on various forums, etc., people say the most horrible, despicable things about believers, in general, and about God the Father, or the lord Jesus Christ, in particular. I used to get very angry, and start arguing with them. God began speaking to my heart. He tells me that He loves that person, just as much as He loves me. As I began yielding to this, I found compassion for these types of people. I pray for them, that God would show them the need for Christ, if it be in His divine will.
In the flesh, it is hard. Especially if they have been calling you crude names, or something of the sort. But, I have been finding that if I try to see as God sees, it is a lot easier to feel love and compassion for them.
I have a small roofing company, and recently, one of the GC's (General contractors) that I did work for, did me wrong. I trusted him, and ended up being owed $8,000.00. He does not intend to pay me. It has been too long to file a lien, and so, I either take him to court, and have hard feelings (in my flesh, I would like to beat the tar out of him!!), or I forget it, and pray that God heals him of the greed in his heart. I can make more money, elsewhere, right? BUT, can I get another chance to show God that my heart is where it needs to be, and that I can indeed, "pray for someone that has despitefully used me"?
I must forgive this man. That is what I feel called to do. But I can only do it through Christ, who strengthens me! In myself, I would "whip him like a red-headed stepchild"! (No offense to any redheads out there!)

Yes, I think we MUST love through Christ. Ours is always conditional.

Roofdad I can totally, totally relate to your situation!!!  My dad IS a GC!! LOL!  He has been burned many times too in the past and recently.  He just recently been told the gospel of grace by me and as soon as he started believing, all kinds of things began to happen to him.  I know what you mean about our flesh wanting to get in the way and began to act as unbelievers. 
I work for him as well, and we recently did a job for a government agency, we've done work with this agency for over 10 years.  Well this one house we were building began to have problems, mainly with the plans.  To make a long story short, we were taken off the job because the City told my dad he was not building the house correctly which was not true.  We had problems with the specs since day one and the City knew it but they didn't want to take the responsiblity for it.  Needless to say, they owe us alot of money for the work we have already done.  They have not paid us and it's been 4 months already. 

We had to hire an attorney because the money owed is what we have to pay suppliers and subcontractors.  But even though we did this, we still have to forgive this people and pray that God will open their hearts to Him.

I have to remind my dad, him being a babe in the Lord, I have to remind him of all those things.  It's hard, but we believe that the Lord will take care of this in His own timing and way.

You are doing great and I can see you have a heart for the Lord!!

God bless you!
Diana

[Oasis]

Roofdad

He tells me that He loves that person, just as much as He loves me. As I began yielding to this, I found compassion for these types of people. I pray for them, that God would show them the need for Christ, if it be in His divine will.

It's interesting how the more you pray for folks, the more your feelings change about people you don't like.  I used to work for Hindsdale County in Colorado and there were two guys in my department that I didn't like and I know the feeling was mutual.  But the more I thought about their eternal destiny, the less I disliked them, the more I prayed for them, and the more I went out of my way to get along with them when we worked together. 

I actually had some good Biblical conversations with one of them over time.  I don't know that anything changed in him by the time I moved away, but the seed was planted and my attitude toward those I don't particularly like was changed forever.

ybiC,
Kab

[Lu]

Well said, Kab!  I totally agree, as I've had the same type of experience.

YFIC,  Lu