[ The Greatest Gift ] Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. ...
1 John 3:1 Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
Jesus desires:
John 17:24 “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
What is Love? God is Love.
Knowing God Through Love
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (Emphasis mine)
King James Dictionary (KJD)
The love of God is the first duty of man, and this springs from just views of his attributes or excellencies of character, which afford the highest delight to the sanctified heart. Esteem and reverence constitute ingredients in this affection, and a fear of offending Him is its inseparable effect.
The christian loves his Bible. In short, we love whatever gives us pleasure and delight, whether animal or intellectual and if our hearts are right, we love God above all things, as the sum of all excellence and all the attributes which can communicate happiness to intelligent beings. In other words, the christian loves God with the love of complacency in His attributes, the love of benevolence towards the interest of His kingdom, and the love of gratitude for favors received.
1 John 4:8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
Did you know people have no concept of love apart from God? This is why God warns us not be unequally yoked; a believers love is based on God's attributes while an unbelievers love is based on what makes them feel good, carnal desires or lust.
Lust defined:
by Steve Quayle is something like this as I recall; Lust is the desires of demons manifested in the flesh through human interaction.
(KJD)
Longing desire eagerness to possess or enjoy as the lust of gain.
Concupiscence carnal appetite unlawful desire of carnal pleasure.
Evil propensity depraved affections and desires.
Love truly is the greatest gift and can only be shared and appreciated among those who share in the Body of Christ, first with God and then with others in the Body.
Something as simple as a game of cards requires all players to have the same understanding of the rules of the game before play can begin. Something as complex as marriage cannot possibly succeed without a common base of understanding of what love is.
The ultimate fulfillment of the gift of Love
Christ and His Bride
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Amen
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