Day 2 – Biblical Love

“He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes” 1 John 2:9-11 (NKJV). The Bible is difficult without being overly reductionistic. That’s because love in the Bible can’t be summed up with just a single word. There are six different words that can be translated as love, and that doesn’t account for variants and compound words! The more literal translations of the Bible, such as the NASB, have more like 300 mentions of the word “love” because they often translate the Greek and Hebrew into more nuanced words than simply, “love.” Love” occurs 551 times in the NIV.

The English Standard Version also has over 500 mentions of love. There are many books within the Bible that discuss love as a central theme, but one of the top books is found in the New Testament. One of the most powerful themes that exists throughout the Bible is the idea of God’s lovingkindness. God’s love cannot be separated from His covenantal faithfulness to us. "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" Romans 8:35-39 (NKJV). True love is difficult to define, but from a Christian standpoint, love is best understood through scripture. In fact, one of the most sought-after themes in the Bible is the definition of love. Biblical love is all-consuming, empowering, and lives in each of us. Our heart is the symbol of the love that resides in us, and God is the symbol of the love that reflects down on Earth. Within the scriptures, love is what binds people together against hate and dishonesty. Love is what keeps us from fighting with our enemies and sparring with those who disagree with us. The word love was made to connect those around us with feelings of joy and happiness. However, love does not come easy, and simply saying you love someone is different than showing it. “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all that you do be done with love” 1 Corinthians 16:13-14 (NKJV).

The word “love” is used interchangeably with the words “light” and “word.” He uses these words to help both believers and non-believers understand what love looks and feels like, and how it acts and sounds. Love stands for more than just romantic attraction or strong feelings towards those close to you; it also stands for the truth, respect, and obedience Christians hold for God. Love is being there for those in need. Love in the Bible, as in our everyday usage, can be directed from person to person or from a person to things. When directed toward things, love means enjoying or taking pleasure in those things. Love towards persons is more complex. As with things, loving persons may mean simply enjoying them and taking pleasure in their personalities, looks, achievements, etc. But there is another aspect of interpersonal love that is very important in the Bible. There is the aspect of love for persons who are not attractive or virtuous or productive. In this case, love is not a delight in what a person is, but a deeply felt commitment to helping him be what he ought to be. God’s love is not directed equally toward all. In its full saving effect, the love of God is enjoyed only by “those who hope in his steadfast love.” This does not mean that God’s love is no longer free and unmerited. For on the one hand, the very disposition to fear God and obediently hope in him is a gift of God. If love among men is to reflect God’s love, it will have to include the love of enemies, at least to some degree. “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another” Romans 12:9-10 (NKJV).

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 God’s love is and what man’s love for God and for others should be. And through faith, the Spirit of Christ, living in us enables us to follow His example. The most basic thing that can be said about love in relation to God is that “God is love.” God’s nature is such that in his fullness he needs nothing, but rather overflows in goodness. It is His nature to love. Love is the attitude that governs the Christian in “all things.” While it is true that God in one sense loves the whole world in that he sustains the world and has made a way of salvation for any who will believe, nevertheless, he does not love all men in the same way. The way one finds oneself within this saving love of God is by faith in the promise that “whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Since the “greatest commandment” is to love God, it is not surprising that very great benefits are promised to those who do. The love that is born of faith and the Spirit is especially manifest in the Christian home and in the community of believers. Love is not to be or cannot be restricted to friends. The great desire of the Christian in doing good to his enemy and praying for him is that the enemy might cease to be an enemy and come to glorify God. Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins” 1 Peter 4:7-8 (NKJV).