What is Love?
- kaufmannphillips
- Posts: 585
- Joined: Sun Dec 21, 2008 8:00 pm
What is Love?
Hello - I am curious to hear other people's understandings of what love is.
(I do not intend to respond on this topic - I want to listen.)
(I do not intend to respond on this topic - I want to listen.)
Re: What is Love?
Hello - I am curious to hear other people's understandings of what love is.
Aren't there a couple of songs out there with a similar title. I think generally in our culture love is based on feelings, "you complete me", or "you make me feel loved/safe/wanted/happy/content/fulfilled etc. For parents it's largely instinctual, the desire to protect your kids and guide them and have relationships with them and wanting the best for them.
I think biblically speaking love is more sacrificial like Jesus said the greatest love is to lay down your life for your friends. Also faithfulness,loyalty,mercy,justice and of course wanting the best for someone.
Aren't there a couple of songs out there with a similar title. I think generally in our culture love is based on feelings, "you complete me", or "you make me feel loved/safe/wanted/happy/content/fulfilled etc. For parents it's largely instinctual, the desire to protect your kids and guide them and have relationships with them and wanting the best for them.
I think biblically speaking love is more sacrificial like Jesus said the greatest love is to lay down your life for your friends. Also faithfulness,loyalty,mercy,justice and of course wanting the best for someone.
Re: What is Love?
In other words, love is action and not merely feeling. That understanding seems to fit 1 Corinthians 13.I think biblically speaking love is more sacrificial like Jesus said the greatest love is to lay down your life for your friends. Also faithfulness,loyalty,mercy,justice and of course wanting the best for someone.
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- Posts: 903
- Joined: Sun Apr 22, 2012 12:46 pm
Re: What is Love?
I don't think I have anything insightful to say, but my comment in another thread might have contributed to the creation of this thread, so I'll respond (and the question is a good one anyway).
So, I guess I'd say that love is when you give up your time or resources for someone else out of a desire to promote his or her well-being.
As I thought of this question, I thought of the beginning of James 2, which states (paraphrasing) that good intentions without action are without profit, and also the beginning of 1 Corinthians 13, which points out that a good deed done without love does not profit the doer.
So, I guess I'd say that love is when you give up your time or resources for someone else out of a desire to promote his or her well-being.
As I thought of this question, I thought of the beginning of James 2, which states (paraphrasing) that good intentions without action are without profit, and also the beginning of 1 Corinthians 13, which points out that a good deed done without love does not profit the doer.
... that all may honor the Son just as they honor the Father. John 5:23
Re: What is Love?
Love = A strong preference. ![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_e_smile.gif)
Let me boldly state the obvious. If you are not sure whether you heard directly from God, you didn’t.
~Garry Friesen
~Garry Friesen
Re: What is Love?
As Steve 7150 pointed out, Jesus said:
"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13 NASB)
"Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13 NASB)
Re: What is Love?
Sacrificial love is the greatest love, but that doesn't mean love is by definition sacrificial.
Let me boldly state the obvious. If you are not sure whether you heard directly from God, you didn’t.
~Garry Friesen
~Garry Friesen
- willowtree
- Posts: 100
- Joined: Sun Nov 02, 2014 1:56 pm
- Location: Sooke BC Canada
Re: What is Love?
Our pastor related this story to emphasize a point in his message. A young missionary couple arrived in Melbourne, Australia, , many years ago, with their young daughter. All were weary when they were met by a group from the church, but one woman among the group took time to meet the young girl and gave to her a rag-doll. The young girl clutched at the doll and over the days, weeks and months to follow kept it with her everywhere she went. They became inseparable. Over the years the affection for the doll remained even as the doll became more ragged and less doll. The pastor made his point this way:
Some things are loved because they are valuable, but other things are valuable because they are loved.
Love, in the second sense, is the voluntary effort to create value in another person or object.
Graem
Some things are loved because they are valuable, but other things are valuable because they are loved.
Love, in the second sense, is the voluntary effort to create value in another person or object.
Graem
If you find yourself between a rock and a hard place, always head for the rock. Ps 62..
Re: What is Love?
An 'other-oriented' posture that seeks to rightfully honor the 'other'
- 21centpilgrim
- Posts: 183
- Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2008 11:17 pm
Re: What is Love?
Willingness/desire to bless another even at the expense of oneself.
Then those who feared the LORD spoke with each other, and the LORD listened to what they said. In his presence, a scroll of remembrance was written to record the names of those who feared him and loved to think about him.