The popular Bible passage on love:
I Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV) 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
A perfect example of God’s unconditional love {Agape love} manifests in Jesus Christ:
John 3: 16 (NIV) 16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
This love {Philia love} is easier said than done, especially to love those who have wronged us and those who are unlovable in our eyes:
John 13:34 (NIV) 34 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
Leviticus 19:18 (NIV) 18 Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.
February 14 emphasizes on romantic love {Eros love}. Commercialization of Valentine’s Day is prevalent. I think this is because it is easy. Many people are “looking for love”. Sadly, feelings such as infatuation, admiration and lust are being mistaken for love. In my humble opinion, {romantic} love is a mutual decision to respect, honor, cherish one another and stay committed to each other. Challenges are always there and these must be used as stepping-stones towards a stronger relationship.
One of the love songs that I had the string quartet play at my wedding was Now That I have You by The Company. It’s such a beautiful, heart-warming love song.
After marriage, usually, a family is formed. Then there’s the love {Storge love} among family members.
Exodus 20:12 (NIV) 12Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.
Psalm 127:3-5 (NIV) 3 Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. 4 Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. 5Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.
Proverbs 1:8 (NIV) 8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Ephesians 6:1-4 (NIV) 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Love is a very powerful force, don’t you think? It drives people to reach up and grab hold of their dreams. It drives people to change themselves. It drives people to make a significant difference in the world. It made me be someone I never thought I’d be ten years ago.
Love is patient…. we used this passage during our wedding! We always pray our children also follow the Lord’s teachings… so important for them to recognize values!
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I know, it’s one of the lasting legacies we could give them.
Those two passages always make me cry
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Love moves us very deeply, especially God’s love.