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The Definition Of Love In The Bible

What Does It Mean That God Is Love

Meaning of Love – The Superbook Show

The Bible says that God is love and tells us how we can know this is true:

God is love. God showed His love among us by this: 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 .

Scripture Readings For Week 2 Of Advent

Isaiah 11:1-10

There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit. And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord.

And his delight shall be in the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge by what his eyes see, or decide disputes by what his ears hear, but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill the wicked.

Righteousness shall be the belt of his waist, and faithfulness the belt of his loins.

The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together and a little child shall lead them.

The cow and the bear shall graze their young shall lie down together and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder’s den.

They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoplesof him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19

Romans 15:4-13

Matthew 3:1-12

What Is Love According To The Bible

God is rich in unfailing love to all who love Him, trust Him, confess their sins, experience His forgiveness, and obey Him wholeheartedly. Love is the greatest virtue. It is the chief fruit of the Holy Spirit at work in and through our lives.

When Im at a barbeque and spot a bag of original Lays, Im known to walk over, grab a couple, and remark, I love potato chips! When Im at that same barbeque and spot my oldest granddaughter, Im known to run over, give her a hug, look straight into her eyes, and say, I love you, Havilah! Is my love for my granddaughter the same love I have for a potato chip? Of course not!

The word love has an extremely wide spectrum of meanings. So, what is love according to the Bible?

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What Is Philia Love In The Bible

Philia is the type of intimate love in the Bible that most Christians practice toward each other. This Greek term describes the powerful emotional bond seen in deep friendships.

Philia originates from the Greek term phílos, a noun meaning “beloved, dear … a friend someone dearly loved in a personal, intimate way a trusted confidant held dear in a close bond of personal affection.” Philia expresses experience-based love.

Philia is the most general type of love in Scripture, encompassing love for fellow humans, care, respect, and compassion for people in need. The concept of brotherly love that unites believers is unique to Christianity. Jesus said philia would be an identifier of his followers: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”

Scripture Readings For Week 3 Of Advent

Love Print / Definition Print / Fruit of the Spirit / Fruits of the ...

Isaiah 35:1-10

The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad the desert shall rejoice and blossom like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice with joy and singing.

The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees.

Say to those who have an anxious heart, Be strong fear not! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God. He will come and save you.

Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy.

For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water, in the haunt of jackals, where they lie down, the grass shall become reeds and rushes.

And a highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Way of Holiness the unclean shall not pass over it. It shall belong to those who walk on the way even if they are fools, they shall not go astray.

No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return and come to Zion with singing everlasting joy shall be upon their heads they shall obtain gladness and joy, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.

Psalm 146:5-10

Praise the Lord!

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English Definition Of Love

The English word love has been used in reference to a strong affection for another since before the 12th century, according to the Merriam Webster dictionary. It has been said that the English language has only one word for love, but English also has other words implying love such as affection, friendship, attraction, etc. The word love though is a constantly evolving concept with ever-broadening definitions. Human love, therefore, cannot be simply defined, as it is being redefined all the time.

The Bible Says Love Never Fails So Why Do We See Love Failing Today

The godly love described in 1 Corinthians 13:8 never fails, but the type of superficial love we see portrayed in the media often does. Since people use the word to describe fluctuating emotions or feelings of attraction, these are sure to increase and decrease.

But godly love isnt solely based on emotion or attraction. It is a choice and a commitment. We choose to love even when we dont feel like it. We must choose this loyal, committed love instead of relying on feelings. We must choose to give when the world around us emphasizes what we can get from our partner.

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What Is Gods Definition Of True Love In The Bible

Love is one of the most widely used words in the world and yet so many people think it means different things. That being said the worlds definition of love is not the same as Gods definition of love. So what exactly is Gods definition of love in the Bible?

The Bible states that God is love. The Word is God and Jesus is the Word made flesh. Therefore Gods Word is love and Jesus is love. Born again believers have the love of God in their hearts now by the Holy Spirit as a gift from God. Love never fails.

  • 1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God for God is love.
  • 1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
  • John 1:1-2 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God.
  • John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth.
  • Romans 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.

This Bible explanation is the true definition of love according to God! Its such an amazing truth that every believer should know and believe. Lets take a more in-depth look at this type of love according to the Bible.

Objects Of God’s Love:

WHAT IS LOVE according to the BIBLE??

The object of God’s love is first and foremost His own Son, Jesus Christ . The Son shares the love of the Father in a unique sense He is “my chosen, in whom my soul delighteth” . There exists an eternal affection between the Son and the Father–the Son is the original and eternal object of the Father’s love . If God’s love is eternal it must have an eternal object, hence, Christ is an eternal being.

God loves the believer in His Son with a special love. Those who are united by faith and love to Jesus Christ are, in a different sense from those who are not thus united, the special objects of God’s love. Said Jesus, thou “lovedst them, even as thou lovedst me” . Christ is referring to the fact that, just as the disciples had received the same treatment from the world that He had received, so they had received of the Father the same love that He Himself had received. They were not on the outskirts of God’s love, but in the very center of it. “For the father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me” . Here phileo is used for love, indicating the fatherly affection of God for the believer in Christ, His Son. This is love in a more intense form than that spoken of for the world .

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How Is The World’s Definition Of Love Different From Scripture’s

Both dictionary.com and Merriam-Webster define love first and foremost as an affectionate feeling toward someone. The problem with defining love mainly as a feeling is that feelings are fickle.

C. S. Lewis wrote in The Four Loves, To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken.

Avoiding or running at the first painful feeling love brings leaves us to live our lives alone, a fate we simply werent created to embrace. The LORD God said, It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a suitable helper for him.Genesis 2:18 NIV

In the New Testament, Jesus continued to expound upon the principles of love vs. loneliness. The Message paraphrase of Matthew 19:11-21 reminds us that marriage is not the remedy for loneliness, nor are all called to be married. Yet, media channels tell us we need a life partner to find true love.

The dictionary definition of love gives us a solid solution, an affection, a romance, and stability that comes from another person. The Biblical definition of love is sacrificial, a love that gives first and expects nothing in return. Biblical love grants believers a peace that surpasses all understanding, which comes only from Christ.

Closing Thoughts About Love In The Bible

Love is one of the most powerful emotions a person can experience. And the Bible talks at length about it. The above 4 types of love in the Bible show us the beauty and depth that encompasses so many aspects of our life.

The central message about love in the Bible is Gods love for us. His perfect love doesnt wane. Its not tied to our obedience, and it is where our hope is found. While the love we find in our families, spouses, and friends are good gifts from God, they all fall short. But Gods love will never fail us.

Throughout the Bible we see Gods love displayed and are invited to accept it. Its through his love that we are transformed. For followers of Jesus we are made new and now our call is to do the same for those around us. We are to love others in the same way that we have been loved.

The Bible doesnt just teach us about Gods love, it challenges us to live in light of what he has done for us. Take some time to reflect on Gods love for you. And ask yourself if are extending the same love to those around you.

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Objects Of Man’s Love:

Nor should it be overlooked that our Lord commanded His children to love their enemies, those who spoke evil of them, and despitefully used them . They were not to render evil for evil, but contrariwise, blessing. The love of the disciple of Christ must manifest itself in supplying the necessities, not of our friends only , but also of our enemies .

Our love should be “without hypocrisy” there should be no pretense about it it should not be a thing of mere word or tongue, but a real experience manifesting itself in deed and truth . True love will find its expression in service to man: “Through love be servants one to another” . What more wonderful illustration can be found of ministering love than that set forth by our Lord in the ministry of foot-washing as found in Joh 13:1-38? Love bears the infirmities of the weak, does not please itself, but seeks the welfare of others it surrenders things which may be innocent in themselves but which nevertheless may become a stumbling-block to others it gladly forgives injuries , and gives the place of honor to another . What, then, is more vital than to possess such love? It is the fulfillment of the royal law , and is to be put above everything else it is the binder that holds all the other graces of the Christian life in place by the possession of such love we know that we have passed from death unto life , and it is the supreme test of our abiding in God and God in us .

William Evans

Love In The New Testament

Pin on Bible Verses

What makes the New Testament new is the appearance of the Son of God on the scene of human history. In Jesus Christ we see as never before a revelation of God. As he said, If you have seen me, you have seen the Father . For in a real sense, Jesus was God. .

But the coming of Christ not only brings about the revelation of God. By his death and resurrection Christ also brings about the salvation of men . This salvation includes forgiveness of sins , access to God , the hope of eternal life , and a new heart which is inclined to do good deeds .

Therefore, when dealing with love, we must try to relate everything to Jesus Christ and his life, death and resurrection. In the life and death of Christ we see in a new way what Gods love is and what mans love for God and for others should be. And through faith, the Spirit of Christ, living in us enables us to follow his example.

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Why Do Some People End Up Heartbroken

Brother Bob: As the Bible explained that showing love is like feeding or taking care of yourself. We all know that getting fed once a year, February 14. Thats not going to work. No matter how much food you eat on February 14, on that one day, its not going to keep a person alive. Likewise, the love of a couple will not thrive or even survive if they will focus on proving their love to each other just on one of the most commercialized days of the year: Valentines Day. You want proof? Lets take a look at this for a moment.

Look at these statistics. People spend an average of $161, nearly $162 and Valentines Day, and it totals about $20.7 billion. Imagine that number. $20.7 billion in total.

Now you think spending that much would fix any kind of problem. That would make love just flourish in every relationship on planet Earth, right? Well, the divorce industry is worth $50 billion annually. Valentines Day is not fixing that. There are those that hope for Gods blessing in the form of a spouse, form of a partner in life. Those who are hoping for blessing their existing marriage, existing family, but seem to always end up disappointed in love. Why is that? Instead of finding true love, as described in the Holy Bible, their actions have led them to heartbreak. The Bible teaches us this in Proverbs 19. Lets listen together to verse 3:

Some people ruin themselves by their own stupid actions and then blame the Lord.

Love Binds A Persons Good Virtues In Perfect Unity

True love transforms you into a whole new and better person.

Therefore, as Gods chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Colossians 3:12-14

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How Do We Love

I have been crucified with Christ and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me and the life which I know live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20 NASB

The Greek word for live and lives in the above verse is zao. It means to enjoy real life living water, having vital power in itself and exerting the same upon the soul. It goes on to further define this type of life as fresh, strong, efficient, active, and powerful. Gods agape love, fleshed out for us in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, is alive and active in all those who believe in Him. We love by letting it flow back out of and through us to others.

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