You Think You Know Love?

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A Misconception

Society today knows absolutely nothing about love. Sure, they may have their own ideas of what love is like. Most people believe something like this:
"Love is about how this person makes me feel."
"Love is being able to let your guard down with someone."
"Love is letting someone do what they want to do, without ever correcting them."

This is a major reason relationships don't last: we've redefined love to be selfish and weak.
The reality is: real love is strong, selfless, and everlasting.
Real love....in it's truest sense....is even all-powerful.

God Is Love

1 John 4:7-8 "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

Do you see that? God is love!

This means that we don't have the right to define love in our own way - and then accuse God of being "unloving" when He doesn't conform to that definition. God is the very definition of love...all true love comes right from Him!

Love is God's very identity! Notice that John doesn't say that God is "loving".
God is holy...but the Bible doesn't ever call Him "holiness".
God is righteous...but He's never referred to as "righteousness".
But when John made this statement in 1 John 4:8, He said that God is Love itself!

This is why He loves those who are His enemies.
Romans 5:8 says that God "demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Ephesians 2:4:5 puts it this way, "But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ..."

Everything that God does in this world; all of His dealings with the nations, His judgement of sin, and His mercy toward us - all of it is rooted in His endless love for humanity. Every action He takes flows out from His love for us. God is a passionate Lover!

The Way God Defines Love

We've all read the "love chapter" before, right? 1 Corinthians 13 is an excellent description of what real love looks like. This passage has (rightfully so) been read as a challenge for humanity to live up to. It's been a source of correction for us...as if to say, "You think you love that person? Let's look at what true love is like, and find out if you really love them."

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails."

That's a great challenge to live up to - for sure! But let's go back to the point John made in his letter...God is Love. What does that mean? This means that the "love chapter" is actually describing God's relationship with us!

God is patient with you while still being kind!
God is not envious of what you have...He's not out to take anything from you.
God doesn't boast of Himself, or take pride in Who He is (And if anyone had a right to, He does!)
God isn't inconsiderate of how you feel. (i.e. rude)
God isn't self-seeking....but has always been selfless toward you.
God cannot be provoked. (read that again...slowly. You need to understand this!)
God thinks no evil toward you!
God doesn't rejoice in your sin...but provides a way of freedom from it!
God always wants you to know the truth.
God will always carry anything that's too heavy for you...when you allow Him!
God always desires and expects the best for you.
God puts up with everything you've put Him through.
God's love for you never fails. 

Someone needs to know that this Valentine's Day. No matter what you've done, no matter what you're going through, no matter what He's had to put up with from you....God will always love you - unfailingly and unconditionally! He's passionately in love with you - even if you're indifferent towards Him!

That kind of love is powerful. That kind of love is NOT passive!
That love will change everything....if you are willing to receive it.

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