LOVE... Not Just Another Four Letter Word

 By Marianne Mauti

Love...Not Just Another Four Letter Word

Webster's dictionary defines the word 'Love' as an intense feeling of deep affection. However, in our present society, we use the word 'Love' to cover a vast range of emotions and experiences that don't necessarily evoke the intense feelings of deep emotion that Webster describes. We use the word "love" in ways that tend to describe how we feel about everything from 'I love pizza', to the way we express our affection for our spouse, 'I love you sweetheart'. Sadly, the word 'Love' has become a 'cliche'. Because the english language is so limited in its ability to describe true meaning, thought and emotion, we are left with only a vague and cloudy understanding of the essence of love and no understanding of it's origin. The true essence of love is lost by a secular society that doesn't know where it originates and how it is manifest! True love has a greater, deeper and more profound meaning than  human emotions can convey and the definition that Webster's dictionary reveals.   

If you want to know the true depth and meaning of 'Love', you don't have to look any further than who love is: 

"For the one who does not love, does not know God, for GOD IS LOVE” 1 John 4:8 

"We have come to know and have believed the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him."  1 John 4:16.

God's Word (the Bible) defines love in a way that we can easily understand. The Bible declares that God is the embodiment of all there is to ever know or understand about love!  The creator of the universe wanted us to know what love is and that HE IS LOVE. Only through the knowledge of God can we really understand it's  meaning and purpose. 
So what does the Bible reveal to us about God's love?

Being Love……..

The Greek word for love used in the previous scriptures is "AGAPE'. In the original language that word is revealed as a state of , "BEING" and in it's deepest sense, "BELOVED" or "TO BE OF LOVE, BY LOVE". So what the Bible reveals is that 'Love' is not just a feeling, it is a 'state of being' and that state of being is the essence of who God is! You cannot understand love unless you understand Him. The Bible tells us that this revelation of love was fully demonstrated in the sacrifice of his son."For God So loved (Agape:beloved, being love) the world that he gave (the demonstration of his being) his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life". 
John 3:16. "Agape Love" reveals, in its deepest sense, the true essence of Gods nature that is revealed in every one of his thoughts and actions. What is even more extraordinary is the fact that God wanted to share this divine attribute with us! When we receive His spirit at our salvation (re-birth) God's divine state of 'being love' is eternally deposited in us and becomes active through us. We now become that part of God that is 'true love' because His divine nature now dwells in us. WE ARE NOW LOVE! Apart from Him, we cannot ever 'be love' or share His love with others! 

Giving Love, To Love....

Because God IS love, only through God's nature in us can we ever truly be love.  This LOVE is then revealed to others through us! Our new state of being is revealed through recreated man all through the New Testament. This aspect of love finds it's explanation in the Greek word PHILEO. It means to 'demonstrate' being love. It is  the ability TO love or love GIVEN to another. This aspect of love can be expressed by actions that can only come from the spirit of God in us. Because God's love now lives in us we can also share His love through us! We can BE LOVE (agape) and GIVE LOVE (phileo) DEMONSTRATE HIS LOVE. 

"A new command I give you: Love (given by demonstration of who you are in Christ) one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:34-35

True Love…….

All we will ever comprehend of God finds its meaning in the word 'Love'. God's love is demonstrated in his divine nature through Jesus Christ. Because of His love for us, we too have become love. WOW! His love has been re-created in us! It is His love that demonstrated the act of love and reached across time to reclaim us and restore us to himself as his and eternal companion. It is the same demonstration of 'being' love that is referred to in the following scripture,"Husbands love (be love) your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself for it". Eph. 5:25 . This verse demonstrates that love is a state of being that produces in us a Christ like action! Because of our Saviors love we can be love and give love, true love! You and I are now conduits of the divine nature of God. Apart from God, love has no true meaning or value. It can mean whatever you want it to for the moment you feel it. 

True love is not a feeling; it is an eternal state of "being" as He is and "giving" as He gave! 

It is such a little word, but for those who possess His nature. which 'is love' it is a  life-changing word. John 15:13 declares,"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Being love results in the demonstration of love,"Therefore I command you, that ye Love (be and give) one another." John 15:17 

Love's Response….. 

Apart form God we can never truly understand love or the demonstration of it! Without the true understanding of God's love and the power of it's ability to be given and received, we would just be lost in a sea of selfish human passion and fleshly desire that the secular world has mistaken for true love! Most of what the world calls 'LOVE', is what the Bible refers to as "LUST" (a strong desire for something). Lust is the complete opposite of real love. Lust isn't about giving, it is about getting. It is about self-gratification and not self-sacrifice. For most, love is a word used to express our need for something or someone (emotionally or physically). Lust will drive you to do things no matter what it may cost or who it may hurt. You see it happen everyday, all in the name of love.

When God's love is released, it is the greatest force and power in the universe! It can change a life. It can bring healing to any situation and bring peace to any circumstance.  It is the Revelation of our Creator and at the reason for our creation. Because love is now a part of our redeemed nature we have been given a great ministry to those we come in contact with every day! We are His hands, His feet and most importantly WE ARE HIS LOVE! 

"Love…. is not just another four letter word!"

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FORGING YOUR FAITH

To 'Forge' something, is to mold and shape something for suitable use. We believe that our lives are constantly being shaped and molded by the hand of God for His divine purpose! This publication strives to encourage believers who are beginning this process and those who are well into it! We also believe a truly successful life is a Christ-Centered Life! We hope you will join us and become a regular reader! 

Thank You and God Bless,

Marianne Mauti

Founder and CAO

'Forging Your Faith' is the online Christian publication of 'Christ the King Church' in Bellevue, Pa.

About Marianne Mauti: Marianne is a writer and blogger as well as a Pastor at "Christ the King Church" in Bellevue, Pa. She is currently the Dean and Chief Operating Officer of "Christ the King Seminary" a full time Bible Institute. For more information about us please contact us at: crowncntr@aol.com

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                                                                    ARTICLE RESOURCES

* The Bible

*Dr. George R. Beninate: Is Bishop of "Christ the King Church" in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A Doctor of Theology, Biblical Apologist, conference speaker, lecturer and my spiritual father.He is also the Author of several books including,"The Age of Glory", Thank you for your relentless pursuit of truth!

* Marianne Mauti