Love is....

Do you know the true definition of the word ‘Love?'

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, NIV)

That's Almighty God's definition of this term. The God of the universe. The creator of the entire world. (See Genesis 1 and 2)

Yet, too many people in this world use this particular word too easily, quickly, and flippantly.

I admit it. It really bothers me especially when a supposed Child of God uses this word so casually. For one, I can discern that the person does not even know the true meaning of the term. There is a disconnect between their words and their actions toward other people.

In the book of 1 John, the writer explains more specifically about God's love but also about the love of others (See 1 John 4:7-21).

John encourages everyone to love, because it comes from God (See 1 John 4:7).

However, none of us can truly love Him or others without first receiving that love from Him and others. "We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:17, NIV - emphasis added mine)."

Additionally, people who do not really know God cannot love either. "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love (1 John 4:8, NIV)."

God is love. Did you get that? God. Is. Love. Therefore...

God is patient, God is kind. God does not envy, God does not boast, God is not proud. God does not dishonor others, God is not self-seeking, God is not easily angered, God keeps no record of wrongs. God does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. God always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. God never fails. (See 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a --- Please note the word 'Love' has been replaced with 'God' for the purpose of this lesson.)

This is just a superficial illustration. Hopefully, you have a better understanding though.

All people must first truly and personally know and understand God and His true nature which is only obtained through an intimate relationship with the one, true, and living God. Then, they will have a more personal and deeper understanding of true love---Godly love.

As previously mentioned, only "love comes from God (1 John 4:7, NIV)." So, if you do not personally know Him, you really have no real understanding nor know the magnitude of this particular term. Consequently, you truly cannot and should not ever use this word in your vocabulary.

Otherwise, you are just lying to yourself and others. Most importantly, you are lying before Almighty God---the creator of the whole world including you.

Ask Him to open your spiritual eyes to enlighten you in order to give you a better knowledge and understanding of Him and His true nature. May He truly reveal to you the real meaning of the word 'Love' through a more deep and personal relationship with Him. Then, feel free to use the term 'Love' in the most Godly way possible.

Copyright 2016 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.

And God said...

Have you really read and observed the very beginning of this world in God's word?

God who is the ultimate, superior, spirit being in the universe created this world. He has been around longer than anything or anyone else. He will continue to exist after everyone and everything is gone. (Revelation 22:13)

What really intrigues me though is the creation of the world---the way God created it---found in Genesis 1.

Please read along with me either on-line or in your Bible.

Let's pick up in v 3.

And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. (v 3)

Did you notice the way God first created light? He first spoke it. Then, what He spoke came into existence. It became reality.

Let's take a look back later in the same chapter and pick up with v 6-7.

And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. (v 6-7)

He spoke it out first. Time passed. And, then what He spoke became reality.

Now, let's look at v 9.

And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. (v 9)

The Creator spoke. Then, it happened.

You can do this with the rest of this chapter picking up in v 14-15.

And God said, “Let there be lights in the vault of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years, and let them be lights in the vault of the sky to give light on the earth.” And it was so. (v 14-15)

Isn't that great?!?! Those three words---And God said---are powerful. When we receive revelation or heart knowledge, it makes a difference.

We are made in the image of God. (Genesis 1:26-27) He is the ultimate Creator. However, we also are creators.

God was speaking His faith. He was calling those things that were not into being. (Romans 4:17) Then, they manifested in the physical world.

In the same way, we speak our faith. Whether we realize it or not, we create our own world---our own reality.

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." (Proverbs 18:21, NIV)

That's the reason it's very important to guard our mouths. (Psalm 141:3) Be careful what you say and don't say with your mouth. We speak those things into their existence.

We certainly do not want to call those things that are as they are. We don't want to agree with this world's view of us. We don't need to agree with anybody else's view of us, our temporary circumstances, or our lives.

We need to only say what God says about us. Therefore, begin speaking those things that are not as though they were. (Romans 4:17) Start calling forth all of the hopes, dreams, purposes, and plans that God has for you. (Jeremiah 29:11-13) It will make all the difference---not only to you, but to others, and ultimately to this world.

 
Copyright 2014 by Dawn Freeman. All rights reserved.