The Command To Love
The Word of God commands us to live a life of love, therefore it is important to understand exactly what love is. 1 Corinthians 13 is often referred to as the "love chapter" because it explains and defines love for us. Let us look at that definition.
1 Cor 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails...
Love will encompass not just merely some of these traits, but all of them. The perfect example of this love was lived out in the life of Jesus Christ. He demonstrated love more fully then any man is capable. But while we as humans may at times falter, this is the standard we are to strive for.
The world's definition of love differs greatly from God's. The world thinks of love as merely a feeling or an emotion. They believe love is the giddy sensation that we get about someone or something we like. They will follow that emotion blindly and do whatever it tells them to do. But we must remember, that while we should love one another deeply from the heart we can only do so correctly after our heart has been purified by following God's truth (1 Peter 1:22). The Bible warns us that the heart is deceitful above all things (Jeremiah 17:9). So when the world tells you to follow your heart, beware. Following a deceitful heart will not lead you to a life of love. To act upon love, your heart must first be pure.
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