The dictionary describes love as “an intense feeling of deep affection.” Love is a word that is widely used in a variety of ways. For example, greeting others “Hi love, how are you?” Or, closing a letter: “take care, lots of love.” Or, “so and so was the love of his life.” To identify a few instances.
Asking different people their meaning of love would result in mostly different responses. Perhaps the reason is just how the individual interprets or thinks about love.
On Valentine’s Day, which is celebrated annually on February 14, people express their feelings about love in several different ways. For example, with flowers, chocolates, or other gifts. Couples also get married, or propose marriage, on Valentine’s Day. Others regard the day as a “romantic holiday.”
There is no specific reference to Valentine’s Day in the Bible—God’s Word.. However, the Bible has much to say on the subject of love. And it is worth reading, studying, and putting in practice.
The Bible says: “So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him” (1 John 4:16).
This Bible text specifically applies to Christians—those who have been “born again” into the family of God, that is, those who have received salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Bible also says: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:7,8).
“It does not say that God loves.” Writes William MacDonald. “That is true, but John is emphasizing that God is love. Love is His nature. There is no love in the true sense but that which finds its source in Him. The words “God is love” are well worth all the languages in earth or heaven” (Believer’s Bible Commentary pg. 2320 Thomas Nelson Publishers).
Here is the extent of God’s love for humanity. William MacDonald also writes: “First of all, then, we have God’s love to us as sinners. God has sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him and to be the propitiation for our sins. We were dead needing life, and were guilty needing propitiation. The expression, “His only begotten Son” carries with it the idea of a unique relationship in which no other son could share. This makes the love of God all the more remarkable, that He should send His unique Son into the world that we might live through Him” (Believer’s Bible Commentary pg. 2320 Thomas Nelson Publishers).
We now come to the “Love Chapter“ in the Bible which is First Corinthians 13:1-13. Here the Apostle Paul explains what is genuine love and what is not genuine love.
Paul starts by saying, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong of a clanging cymbal” (verse 1). “And if I have prophetic powers and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing” (verse 2). Then he adds: “If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing” (verse 3).
Paul is demonstrating that although things are important, worthwhile, and well intentioned for the common good; if love is excluded, the objectives are lost. Everything we do should be done in a spirit of love because compassion, concern, and goodwill towards others are ingredients of love.
Paul now contrasts the positives of love with negative unmindful and selfish attitudes. He begins by saying “Love is patient and kind, that is, forbearing and tolerant. Kindness is kindheartedness, concern, and care. Love does not envy or boast. This means love does not envy others but is happy that others can succeed and be honored. Also love does not boast, that is, brag or show-off. Love is not arrogant or rude” (verse 4): This says love is not haughty nor conceited, but considerate and courteous.
“Love does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful” (verse 5): Love does not selfishly demand its own way but is receptive to other ways that accommodate others. Neither is love ill-tempered, ill-natured or jealous.
“Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth” (verse 6): To rejoice at wrongdoing, that is, finding satisfaction in unrighteous acts especially if it supports immorality. On the other hand, love will rejoice with the truth. Truth remains truth no matter the circumstances.
Having detailed the characteristics and nature of love, Paul says (verse 7): “Love bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. This means love resolutely bears, hopes, and endures all things, because love never ceases.
The Bible says, “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Since God is love, He is able to love all mankind and provide eternal life for them by giving His only begotten Son, and as a guarantee of going to heaven rather than perishing.
Here is how to accept Jesus as your Savior. The Bible says:”If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9,10).
Why not do this now and get into a Bible-believing local Church and talk to the pastor, telling him about your decision to receive Jesus Christ as your Savior and he will instruct you further.
May God give you the courage to do so.