What is love?

"What is Love?"

Artists of all forms have asked this very question. Philosphers from every culture have pondered this depth. Without God in the picture, this can be a daunting answer to give, because without God there is no true love. There is respect, honor, pride and even lust. But Love is a very difficult thing in the absense of God.

But even in a Christian's life, can you aptly answer that question? I don't mean Love as a noun (i.e. God is love.) Can you honestly answer the question "What is (the verb) love?"

Many Christians have canned answers for this, but have you taken the time to research it and know how to love? John was an apostle that had two distinct sides of his personality. First, everything to him was black and white. You loved, or you didn't. You were for God, or you weren't.

But secondly, he spent more time than any other speaking on the topic of love. He echoed Christ's commands to love each other several times in his writing.

2 John 1:6 And this is love: that we walk according to His commands. This is the command as you have heard it from the beginning: you must walk in love.

John 15:9 [Christ is speaking] "Just as the Father has loved Me, I also have loved you. Remain in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments you will remain in My love, ... 12 This is My commandment: that you love one another just as I have loved you.

Now... I'm going to take John's perspective on this for a moment, and draw a black and white line. Evaluate yourself on which side of this line you think you stand. I know that sometimes we see this line as a bit gray, but let's compare ourselves to it for just a moment.

Do you know God, believe that Jesus is the Son of God, and asked him to forgive you of your sin? In short: Are you a Christian?

If not, then the next verse isn't for you, yet. Just smile and nod, and keep reading other posts on the site.

If you have asked for this, then GOOD! This is for you!! Hooray!! You should understand exactly what this is about. (Don't worry, it hit me hard, too.)

1 John 2:3 This is how we are sure that we have come to know Him: by keeping His commands. 4 The one who says, "I have come to know Him," without keeping His commands, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God is perfected. (emphasis mine)

Love (the verb) should be a part of our every-day actions. Caring and compassion may come harder for some than others. They should be present in some level of your life. In dealing with those around you, you should be exhibiting the fruits of the spirit... gentleness, kindness self-control, etc. If not, then when you turn around and declare that Christ is your Lord -- your Master -- you are deceiving yourself and those to which you speak. The Truth is not in you. Stated quite bluntly... You are a liar. (ouch)

Loving will come easy if you are truly keeping His word. (Not my words. Read verse five again.) I'm NOT saying everyone should be gooshy... or that if you aren't soft and guilible you aren't saved. Love does not equal soft, guilible, door-mat, weak-willed, stupid or other similar terms! Christ was no doormat. But he was a personification of Love. He simply lived acording to what the Father placed into his heart, by the Spirit.

Love is not always expressed as "sympathy" or "empathy", although those are forms of love. What I'm saying is the compassion for those around you, in whatever form God puts into your heart, from missions, to ministry, to serving, to teaching, to cleaning bathrooms... if the action which God places in your life isn't present, you need to seriously evaluate your position with God. Giving yourself to others in a manner that pleases God, in emotion, word, time, effort or deed, THAT is love.

So, be very mindful of your interactions with others today. Respond always with truth and love. We all walk closer to God some days than others. We're human, and it's just a fact of our humanity. God isn't faltering or changing on those off-days. We are. But if loving others around you -- giving of yourself -- is consistently difficult for you, perhaps you need to ask yourself "Where do I stand with God? Are we seeing eye-to-eye or am I off doing my own thing? Am I trying to do all this in my own strength?"

Father, forgive me for doing my own thing. Forgive me for not exhibiting your spirit at all times, because I have stepped away from your hands. Thank you for forgiving me. Guide me back to you.