What is Love?

[Seasoned by Grace]

[I recently expressed this on another thread, so I apologize for repeating it here.]

I have landed on thinking that love is simply the act of valuing/treasuring. God values us; that is Godly love. If we value another person, we are loving them. If I value God with all my heart, I will from my heart be concerned with what He thinks and will desire to act accordingly. If I value/treasure another person, my disposition toward them will look like 1 Cor 13.

I know of no way that a person can treasure others and yet be emotionally neutral toward them. So I think love is not an emotion, but it does not exist without generating emotion. It seems inconceivable as to how a person can treasure others and yet not act accordingly. So I think love is not a decision, but it does not exist without decisions/actions consistent with it.

Even though quite devoid of being lovable, God loves/treasures/values us. I believe He constantly demonstrates emotions and actions toward us consistent with that love. (He gave His only begotten son for us, His elect.) That is Godly love and our greatest grace.

Hospes
I totally agree, and would like to add that there is a distinct difference between GODLY SUPER-NATURAL LOVE, and mans love.
Mans type of love is almost always self-centered, giving so they can receive in some way, while Gods type of love is always about the needs of others with nothing in return for ourselves. Gods kind of love is impossible to achieve or understand on our own, or to apply to our lives unless we pray and ask for it for His purpose , not our own, and that it be authentic with others, and be a magnet in that it's a love that draws others to Christ.

All we have to do is ask in prayer with a humble heart, and God will begin a new work in you, or any of us who ask.

God bless you Hospes as you continue to surrender your life to Christ.
My name is OLIGOS

 

[Edward]

I used to think that Love is a two way street. But that is untrue. You either love someone or you do not. Irregardless of if they love you or, do anything to you or for you. Anything less than this turns it into bartering and that is not love. Until the young people learn this, they will struggle within the relationship.

Doing for others with no expectation of return is the way the world social system is supposed to operate. Do unto others, before yourself even...in love...and all these things shall be added unto you. We are not supposed to take care of ourselves but others, and others will then show up at your door, saying Hey Brother/Sister, take this. You will want not. The Lord also says in scripture you can test Him on this. The whole tithing thing teaches us this.

And the lady who only gave two mites into the offering box gave more because she gave from her sustenance (her grocery money!) and not from her excess as the rich men do. This lady gave with love in her heart and was probably thinking, maybe someone needs this more than I do. I know the Lord will take care of me.

 

[Seasoned by Grace]

I used to think that Love is a two way street. But that is untrue. You either love someone or you do not. Irregardless of if they love you or, do anything to you or for you. Anything less than this turns it into bartering and that is not love. Until the young people learn this, they will struggle within the relationship.

Doing for others with no expectation of return is the way the world social system is supposed to operate. Do unto others, before yourself even...in love...and all these things shall be added unto you. We are not supposed to take care of ourselves but others, and others will then show up at your door, saying Hey Brother/Sister, take this. You will want not. The Lord also says in scripture you can test Him on this. The whole tithing thing teaches us this.

And the lady who only gave two mites into the offering box gave more because she gave from her sustenance (her grocery money!) and not from her excess as the rich men do. This lady gave with love in her heart and was probably thinking, maybe someone needs this more than I do. I know the Lord will take care of me.

Edward thank you so much !!!

 

[Susannah]

Susannah anything like this only has one source and it has to be God, not any of us.
And you have to be careful with this sort of thing because people will want to make something out of it, that it was never meant to be. Satan is always there waiting to attack.

This isn't for me because I'm doing this forum, but I can definetly pray for you if you get approval from ADMIN..

I'd suggest you talk to the administrators and get their feedback, as I did before this forum on LOVE started, and get their approval before you try to move forward.

You need to get their help and support, just like I did to get started.

You can't start something like this on your own without the administration being involved.
This is an owned site, and we have to be in subjection to their desires for this site.
We don't have the freedom to just set out on our own and do something like this without talking to someone like stovebolts, and for_his_glory, and JLB .

I think it needs to be separate from this forum on love, as the forum here is more about sharing ideas and discussions, and I'd like to see it stay focused that way.
That was the plan from the start, for GOD to be in charge, and if people want to be here, it's because GOD brought them here for that purpose.
Remember, this forum has nothing to do with me, I am just a tool used by God to fulfill His plan through me, and it should be the same for everyone.
I hope that works alright for you.

My name is OLIGOS

OK. I was only partly serious anyway.

 

[Susannah]

I used to think that Love is a two way street. But that is untrue. You either love someone or you do not. Irregardless of if they love you or, do anything to you or for you. Anything less than this turns it into bartering and that is not love. Until the young people learn this, they will struggle within the relationship.

Doing for others with no expectation of return is the way the world social system is supposed to operate. Do unto others, before yourself even...in love...and all these things shall be added unto you. We are not supposed to take care of ourselves but others, and others will then show up at your door, saying Hey Brother/Sister, take this. You will want not. The Lord also says in scripture you can test Him on this. The whole tithing thing teaches us this.

And the lady who only gave two mites into the offering box gave more because she gave from her sustenance (her grocery money!) and not from her excess as the rich men do. This lady gave with love in her heart and was probably thinking, maybe someone needs this more than I do. I know the Lord will take care of me.

This is true of agape love. When it comes to love between two people, what we call romantic love, it should be reciprocal. I tried loving my husband unconditionally and he ended up biting the hand that fed him. This is just my opinion of course.

 

[Hospes]

Hospes
I totally agree, and would like to add that there is a distinct difference between GODLY SUPER-NATURAL LOVE, and mans love.
Mans type of love is almost always self-centered, giving so they can receive in some way, while Gods type of love is always about the needs of others with nothing in return for ourselves. Gods kind of love is impossible to achieve or understand on our own, or to apply to our lives unless we pray and ask for it for His purpose , not our own, and that it be authentic with others, and be a magnet in that it's a love that draws others to Christ.

All we have to do is ask in prayer with a humble heart, and God will begin a new work in you, or any of us who ask.

God bless you Hospes as you continue to surrender your life to Christ.
My name is OLIGOS

SBG,

I think you are right that our love is always corrupted to varying degrees by our sin nature, but do you think it could be something of a sliding scale, rather than either man's-type-of-love or God's-type-of-love? I like to think that as God is working in me to incrementally increase the display of His character, that my love for Him and others is moving toward a love more like His. I have long to go to love like He loves, but it makes me happy to know He is slowly changing me to do so. By His grace, I'm sneaking up on His character!

 

[Seasoned by Grace]

SBG,

I think you are right that our love is always corrupted to varying degrees by our sin nature, but do you think it could be something of a sliding scale, rather than either man's-type-of-love or God's-type-of-love? I like to think that as God is working in me to incrementally increase the display of His character, that my love for Him and others is moving toward a love more like His. I have long to go to love like He loves, but it makes me happy to know He is slowly changing me to do so. By His grace, I'm sneaking up on His character!

Hospes I ABSLUTELY LOVE your post here.

I think your right about the "sliding scale process." as God moves us from our own version of love into His version of love.

I do believe it is something incremental and takes time, as God continues the process of being involved with us in our maturing process, which I just love.

It's nice to look back and see where I used to be, and the progress I have made, and the peace and happiness that I have because of those changes brought on with Gods help.

Stick around here with us. You fit right in and have a wonderful view on your faith.
And yes, we ALL have along way to go to learn Gods love, me too, but He is beautifully kind and patient.
My name is OLIGOS

 

[Susannah]

Bible Verses about Love​

Let all that you do be done in love. - 1 Corinthians 16:14

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. - 1 John 4:8

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. - 1 John 4:18

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. - 1 Peter 4:8

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. - Colossians 3:14

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. - John 13:34-35

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:13

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:13

We love because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:19

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. - Proverbs 10:12

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. - 1 John 4:7

 

[Seasoned by Grace]

Bible Verses about Love​

Let all that you do be done in love. - 1 Corinthians 16:14

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. - 1 John 4:8

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. - 1 John 4:18

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. - 1 Peter 4:8

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. - Colossians 3:14

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. - John 13:34-35

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. - John 15:13

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. - 1 Corinthians 13:13

We love because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:19

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. - Proverbs 10:12

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. - 1 John 4:7

All very true Susannah

My purpose for starting the entire forum on GODLY LOVE, is to help us all here get past just the knowledge of GODLY LOVE or the knowledge that we should love like God does, and realize that all that God says we need to learn to be like, is only done through asking God through much prayer, for whatever biblical quality we want in our lives that mirrors Him, realizing that everything is IMPOSSIBLE to do from a Godly perspective, including loving like God does, because everything God says we are to become is SUPER-NATURAL, just like God is SUPER-NATURAL, or OTHER WORLDLY or
NOT FROM OUR WORLD.
God is beyond is INCREDIBLY BEYOND US

That's part of the foundation of my faith.

I can DO NOTHING truly Godly, other worldly, if God isn't involved with me in my prayers and Efforts.

The bible doesn't tell us this anywhere, but after you study for many years, things like this start becoming obvious as one studies.

Just like the Holy Trinity isn't mentioned in the bible ANYWHERE, yet some time ago it became so obvious to someone that the Father, Son, Holy Ghost was three personalities, that they had to give that personality of three a name, that is widely accepted today with ABSOLUTELY NO MENTION in the bible.

There are so many others like this throughout scripture, and discovering them, is our eyes being opened by the Holy Spirit, so in our quest to become more mature and have the "MEAT" of the word to become more perfect in Christ through much prayer and ACTION using what we learned, then and only then, with GODS help can we become who God had intended us to be, but without totally depending on God through much prayer, we will never achieve the salvation we so desperately want !!!So many try to be like God on their own, and do like God on their own, and it's not only IMPOSSIBLE, but doing that on our own invalidates our relationship with Christ, because we're acting like we don't need His help
Even Jesus prayed to the Father and said He could do nothing on His own.
Are we beyond Christ in our abilities ??

God bless you all.
My name is OLIGOS

 

[Susannah]

OLIGOS . . . What you say is absolutely correct. I happen to be reading a book that says the same thing. It was written by Saint Teresa of Avila in her book Interior Castle. Let's keep this thread going. We've only scratched the surface here.

 

[Hospes]

I can DO NOTHING truly Godly, other worldly, if God isn't involved with me in my prayers and Efforts.

The bible doesn't tell us this anywhere, but after you study for many years, things like this start becoming obvious as one studies.

Au contraire!

John 15:5 (ESV)
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

 

[Seasoned by Grace]

Au contraire!

John 15:5 (ESV)
I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

That's what I said .

 

[Susannah]

I just watched the must-see movie The Forgiven. I must say, forgiveness is the most poignant kind of love. ❤

 

[Susannah]

Today's thought about God's Love . . .

If we want the perfect example of love, it is in our Creator God's love is referred to as agape love which is the highest form of love that is selfless and sacrificial. It is steadfast, unchanging, and unconditional. Below are a few Scripture examples of God's great love for you! May these Bible verses about the love of God inspire courage and compassion.

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. - 1 John 4:7-8

This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. - John 4:9-12

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. - 1 John 4:16-18

We love because he first loved us. - 1 John 4:19

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. - John 15:9-10

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. - John 15:12-13

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16

Now therefore that the LORD your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations. - Deuteronomy 7:9

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. - Psalms 86:15

God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. - Romans 5:8

God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ - by grace you have been saved. - Ephesians 2:4-5

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. - 1 John 3:1

Pass it On

How far you've come; how wise you are.
Now hitch your wagon to a star.
Embrace yourself, and love God too.
Feel his love; it's not brand new.

This is your day, and you're the one.
You've seen the light; you're in the sun.
But don't forget, there's more to do.
Others will say, they want light too.

And you will be called to give them a hand;
To welcome them into this wonderful land.
Where peace is found – and happiness too.
Where you met God, and he met you.

1985







​

 

[Rollo Tamasi]

The FEW PARTICIPANTS of us here out of over 8000 members is sad to me.

The greatest topic in the bible and Gods whole purpose for creating this world and all of mankind, and almost no response by the masses.

That speaks pretty clearly to me the priorities of the majority of even Christian people, just as I have seen and heard in every church and bible group I've ever been to.

Matthew 7: 14, speaks about the FEW who will be in God's kingdom, is not only clear, but makes a very visable, 3-dimentional picture of everyday life in the lives of most who claim to be Christians, but discredit themselves by being unloving, harsh, and uncaring to those around them, who would love to be cared about..

For me it's heartbreaking because we all know what the end for them will be like, but it's fabulous being here with the FEW" who do understand, and will stand before Christ at the end.

I love being here with all of you.
You put "BOUNCE" in my step , and give me energy and hope for the future.

My name is OLIGOS

Hi, y'all, God bless you today and forever.
This thread for hot for 3 days and then died.
What happened?
I was in the hospital with my first of two surgeries.
I didn't come back on the forum until sometime in November.
And it took a while to start writing again.
A lot of people welcomed me back in the thread I wrote about my surgeries.
I was full of joy to read what people said about my returning.
I would say what I'm talking about is Godly love.
Maybe they missed this thread, but it seems it died..
Loving God is not something that dies.
People should have kept it going.
And it's never too late.
Our loving God is waiting.

I find being obedient is loving God.
And it is hard to continually being obedient.
So it must become a way of life.
You wake up and you have a word with God before you even get out of bed.
After all, He is the one that allows you to breathe and be able to get out of bed.
That right there is a loving God.

Through out the day we all have opportunities to show our love for God to others with our actions to others.
People look at us and say, "why is that person different from the rest of us. Why is he/she so happy
all the time?"
These type of things we don't even see but they are there if we are being obedient to God.
Loving God and loving all others.
A person you don't like has a problem but you help them any way.
And they don't even say thanks.
But you keep that smile on your face because you are walking and talking with God.

There are many examples of loving God.
Being obedient to God is loving God, and then loving everyone else.
God will talk to you and will lead you to where he wants you.

God bless you all.

 

[Susannah]

I have been absent because of some personality clashes, but I'm always available to talk about love between me and God. As my faith grows I spend more time talking and listening to God. Loving God is what's keeping me going right now. He's never off my mind. This new year it's all about helping my orphans in Kenya. I often express my love for God through charity. If you feel drawn to helping our website is newbeginningstoday.us

 

[Tessa]

Hi, y'all, God bless you today and forever.
This thread for hot for 3 days and then died.
What happened?
I was in the hospital with my first of two surgeries.
I didn't come back on the forum until sometime in November.
And it took a while to start writing again.
A lot of people welcomed me back in the thread I wrote about my surgeries.
I was full of joy to read what people said about my returning.
I would say what I'm talking about is Godly love.
Maybe they missed this thread, but it seems it died..
Loving God is not something that dies.
People should have kept it going.
And it's never too late.
Our loving God is waiting.

I find being obedient is loving God.
And it is hard to continually being obedient.
So it must become a way of life.
You wake up and you have a word with God before you even get out of bed.
After all, He is the one that allows you to breathe and be able to get out of bed.
That right there is a loving God.

Through out the day we all have opportunities to show our love for God to others with our actions to others.
People look at us and say, "why is that person different from the rest of us. Why is he/she so happy
all the time?"
These type of things we don't even see but they are there if we are being obedient to God.
Loving God and loving all others.
A person you don't like has a problem but you help them any way.
And they don't even say thanks.
But you keep that smile on your face because you are walking and talking with God.

There are many examples of loving God.
Being obedient to God is loving God, and then loving everyone else.
God will talk to you and will lead you to where he wants you.

God bless you all.

I guess God put love in your heart to wake us up Rollo. You are right and we should always be alert not to let our love wax cold.
So let's keep it going. This is what it is all about. God is love and He expects and commands us to be the same.
Love gives light to darkness, comfort to those in sorrow, hope to those in despair, joy where there is none and a smile where there was tears.
Thrte are many ways to do it.
God Bless you Rollo and everyone else.

 

[Susannah]

Love God. Love yourself. Love others. This is the recipe for happiness. If you do not yet feel this love "act as if." Surrender to God and he will help you experience the love. Happiness is what you feel about your life on earth. Joy is what you feel when you know in your heart how much God loves you. Everything else in your life pales in comparison to Joy.

 

[Hospes]

Just to stir folks thinking:

I've heard people say that love is not an emotion, but rather is a decision.

Any thoughts on what is right/wrong on this assertion?

(My question is not meant to stir up an argument. It is meant to encourage us to think deeply about the nature of love and encourage us to sharpen our understanding of a really really wonderful topic.)

 

[Susannah]

Love is an emotion for sure. But if you don't feel the emotion you can sometimes jump start the process by acting in a loving way. In the process you often start to feel the love. In my experience I was unable to love myself until I finally realized how much God loved me. Then I thought if I'm lovable by God maybe others could love me. Maybe I could even love myself. So acting as if you were in love is just a tool. The final emotion of joy is the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to me. However you get there.