What is Love, Really?
Love.
We hear about it a lot. There are holidays dedicated to it. Whole industries are built around it. Music thrives on the idea of love and jewelry companies capitalize on the tokens of love. We celebrate it at weddings and share the joy with those who proclaim they’ve found it and their ‘forever’ person. But really, what is love? Is it just a feeling? Is it an emotion? We can find it, but can we lose it? How can we really know?
Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
If love is a fruit of the Spirit, there is more to it than a feeling…and it’s motivated by more than our emotions. As believers in Christ and followers of His Word, it is important that we understand what love is (and isn’t).
We want our sons and daughters to show evidence of a Spirit-filled life, right? So, over the next few weeks, we’re going to pray through each of these qualities of the heart and mind, asking God to build them up, increase their fruit, and strengthen their faith. This week we will pray through several scriptures about love. You may want to do one a day or you may want to pray the entire list each day. Praying Scripture always brings a return!
It’s important to understand that despite what this world tells us, love is not a feeling- that’s the greatest misrepresentation of that attribute. Love is not something you ‘fall’ into and out of. Love is a choice and an action. It is choosing to love the unlovely. It is choosing to be kind to those who are not. It is choosing to be patient when we’re tired, overwhelmed, or stressed. Love is not something you extend to others because of what you receive in return. Love is not, and was never meant to be, transactional but something we offer to others because Christ compels us.
Understand the Biblical meaning of love:
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant.” 1 Corinthians 13:4
We’ve all observed people who speak with all the fancy words, do all the ‘noble’ things, but they do it for their own ego. Their actions are selfish and the value and authenticity of their words and convictions come into question. Though they say they are loving, they don’t exemplify it.
On the other hand, you may know someone who is difficult to like. They may not be a nice person; maybe they’re even unkind to you. But, despite your feelings of caution, you consistently choose to show kindness towards that person, you show them respect and meet needs, encourage, and support them. That is being loving. It’s not about the feelings, it’s about the choices and actions. It is a choice to act like Jesus when we’re not inclined to do so, setting our own rights or expectations aside, giving towards those we might otherwise think do not deserve our kindness. When we choose words and actions that portray Jesus, in spite of our feelings, we do not betray His name.
Pray that our sons and daughters would understand Biblical love and would be intentional in how they respond to others. May their life be a testimony. Pray for patience and kindness. Pray against envy, arrogance, and boastfulness.
Understand why we love:
“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
We are fallen human beings, limited in every way. Yet, because God loves us, He enables us to show love to others. And the love we are called to show is not the human, faulty, fickle love, but the love of God- sacrificial, selfless, and healing.
“See how great a love the Father has bestowed on us, that we would be called children of God; and such we are.” 1 John 3:1a (NASB95)
Does the immensity and transformational power of God’s love move us? It should. In light of how God loved and redeemed us, how can we not love others?!
Pray that our sons and daughters understand why we love others. Pray that they learn how to love like Jesus. Pray they are moved by the immensity of God’s love and it transforms their hearts and minds in Christ.
Understand that love is the key identifier of Christ-followers:
John 13:35 “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
When you see someone wearing the team jersey, it’s a pretty good indicator that they are supporters of that team. As the World Cup is being played in the United States, we are seeing all kinds of team jerseys and the enthusiasm is high. If someone sees a jersey that reflects their own alliance there is joy and sometimes greetings and encouragement is exchanged. There is connectedness and comeraderie.
As believers, we have the Holy Spirit who indwells us. When the Holy Spirit in us encounters that same Holy Spirit in another, there is joy and excitement. A brother! A sister! We love those encounters and others see how we embrace and support one another. It’s an instant connection. Others observing may ask, “Do you know them?”.
Believers are not (or should not be) in competition with each other, we’re on the same team, working together to glorify God and shine His light. They work together to bring relief and support to those in need. They collaborate to share the gospel, feed the hungry, comfort the grieving, and welcome the stranger. It’s not our vast knowledge of Scripture, but our heart of love that shows others we are different.
The world looks on and they see something different about believers. They see joy. They see purpose. They see love.
Pray that our sons and daughters would embrace God’s love as that character quality that sets them apart, marks them for Christ, and binds them to the brotherhood of believers, not in competition for recognition but in connection for the Kingdom.
Understand that God’s love has the power to keep and protect us eternally:
“Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”” Romans 8:35-36
Believers are found in the dark places, serving, rescuing, meeting needs and showing love. Believers go where others will not because Christ’s love compels us. Our boldness comes not from our own bravery, but because we believe God is true to His word and His love is eternal.
We read story after story of missionaries who go to difficult places. They take their children to countries that are foreign to them, with different languages, customs, food…and different gods. They face resistance, persecution, and even willing to face death. Why? Because they are compelled by the love of God. The eternal has a more powerful hold on them than anything this world can threaten or deliver. Nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Believers know the value of bringing others into the Kingdom and sharing the redemption of Jesus to bring them from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of Light. They understand this life and its struggles are temporary. They are building kingdom treasure by way of souls turned to Jesus through the gospel.
Pray that our sons and daughters would have eternal perspective. Pray that God would have such a hold on their heart that everything they do is motivated by love for Him and for others to know Him. Pray that they would be confident that there is nothing that can happen to them here that would impact, lessen, or remove God’s love.
Understand that love must be authentic, both from us and from other believers:
“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” Rom 12:9 (ESV)
Other translations put it this way:
“Love must be without hypocrisy.” (NIV)
“Don’t just pretend to love others.” (NLT)
“Let love be without hypocrisy.” (NKJV)
There is nothing more distasteful than hearing someone spout the virtues of Scripture and then be observed being deceptive, vindictive, cruel, or dishonest. They speak like Jesus but turn around and live like the world. Fruit is evidence of what you value, what you consume, and what you prioritize. Authentic love, agape, is the fruit of being surrendered to and abiding in Christ. He must increase, we must decrease (John 3:30).
Pray that our sons and daughters will be able to identify authentic agape and will be drawn to that. Pray they would demonstrate that love in their lives and in their interactions with others. Pray that when others see them, they see Jesus in them. No counterfeit. No hypocrisy. No pretending.
Understand that God’s love is immeasurable and eternal; there is no authority that can overcome it or diminish it, we don’t have to earn it, we cannot lose it, we are held secure:
“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
So much in this world is tenuous. People come and go from our lives. Jobs are gained and lost. Wealth is earned and lost. Wars and conflicts erupt, boundaries change, and powers rise and fall. There is little that can be considered a ‘sure thing’. But God. He is forever faithful. And His love is immoveable, eternal, and cannot be overcome, diminished, or ruined. God will never ‘fall out of love’ with us. Praise Him!
Pray that our sons and daughters understand the immensity and certainty of God’s love for us and the unshakeable assurance that we have in Him. Pray that they are encouraged, compelled, and confident to live for Christ and share His love with the world. Pray that when they think about love, they don’t look to this broken world and its poor examples, but to God alone.
There are SO many scriptures we can pray through. Here is a further list if you want to continue beyond what we discussed:
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,” Hebrews 10:24
“Let all that you do be done in love.” 1 Cor 16:14
“Through love serve one another”. Gal 5:13b
“And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Eph 5:2
Feel free to go to the comments and add more scripture that you are praying through! We would all benefit from it!
We’re all praying for those we love and as followers of Jesus, we are all part of the family of God. No matter what country, what time zone, what language, we are united in the Body of Believers and one day we will stand in His presence, together, worshipping Him! What a glorious day that will be!
Pray without ceasing, friends. God is working!