What is Love?

The dictionary defines Love as “a passionate or tender attraction to another.”  How would you define Love?

When we think of love, we often think of the different relationships we have had.  Are there different types of love?  Yes.  I loved my parents, my sibling, my husband, my child and my friends in different ways.  Yet those different types of love had things in common.

Where Does Love Come From?

Each time we have felt love in those different ways, it came from the deep Well of God’s Love.  Let’s look at the different ways God specifically revealed His Relationships to us.  

God Our Father!

Jesus called God “our Father” at the beginning of what we have come to call the Lord’s Prayer.  In Philippians 1:2, Paul says, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  

God Our Mother!

In Isaiah 66:13, God says, “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” 

God Our Husband!

Isaiah 54:5 says, “For your Maker is your husband — the Lord Almighty is His Name — the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer; He is called the God of all the earth.” 

(And it is ok if you are male … in the spiritual world things are different from the traditional earth relationships.)

Jesus Our Brother!

Once while Jesus was talking to a crowd of people, His earthly brothers and mother came.  His Disciples alerted Him that they were there.  He said something which seems strange on the surface.  

He said, “Who is My Mother, and Who are My Brothers?”  Pointing to His Disciples, He said, “Here are My Mother and My Brothers.  For whoever does the Will of My Father in heaven is My Brother and Sister and Mother.”  

Was He saying this to cut Himself off from His Family?  No.  He was not being exclusive.  He was being inclusive.  He was telling us that we can be in His Family.

Jesus Our Friend!

As recorded in John 15:15, Jesus tenderly told His Disciples, “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business.  Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from My Father, I have made known to you.”

Love Your Enemies!

We might somewhat easily relate to the above types of Love, but no so much this one.  Jesus took Love up a notch!  You might have to reach for this one!

As recorded in Matthew 5:43-48, Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.  He causes His Sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?  Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others?  Do not even pagans do that?  Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.”

Loving our enemies seems to fly in the face of our thoughts of “but what about me?”  But Jesus did not forget us.  Loving our enemies has big results for us.  In this selfless Act of Love, we become like our Father God and He identifies us as His Children!

Can You See God and Jesus in Your Earthly Relationships?

What earthly relationship(s) have you had that is most similar to your relationship with God or Jesus?

In what relationships have you not seen God or Jesus?  Many people have a tough time relating to God because they have had unpleasant experiences in relationships here on earth.  If you had a difficult relationship with your parents, for example, it might be hard to think lovingly of God as your Father or Mother.

If you had a painful relationship with an ex-spouse or a present one, it might be difficult to think of trusting God or Jesus enough to be your forever partner in life.

Who Is Not On Your Short List?

Take a few moments now and think of those who did not make your short list of reminders of good relationships with God.  God does not want you burdened with left over feelings about the times when mere humans did not come up to being Him.

He would like to relieve you of that burden now, so you can enjoy His Full Relationship to you.  Tell Him the Truth about those painful relationships.  He knows already, but He will gladly listen to you tell Him about them.  Ask Him what you need to do to receive healing from any wounds you have experienced in your relationships.

You will know you are on the right track when you can say in all sincerity, “God, my Father, I love You.”  or “Jesus, I am honored that You have chosen me to be Your Bride for all eternity.  I trust You and I give myself to You fully without reservation.”

Are You On The Short List of Those You Know?

Are there times you do not meet the High Standard of God’s Love?  Are there people in the world who would say they would certainly never think of you when they think of relating to God?

Don’t be a stumbling block to others having the opportunity to have a full relationship with God.  Ask God to reveal to you any ways you might have hindered anyone’s being able to relate to God.  Ask His Forgiveness.  Do anything He tells you to do to make it right now.

Coming Love Attractions

In the next post, we will look at Love That Lasts Forever.  Did you think you were the only one who ever had “love relationship issues?”  Well, guess what!  So did God!  We will look at the first couple of the Bible and their commitment issues.  Even more interesting is God’s Creative Plan to win their hearts and those of all the generations that followed them.  That includes you!