After searching textbooks and reference materials, the meaning of Love was right there in front of me in 1-john.4:8..God is LOVE...
The word Love in scripture is mainly used in two ways, the word agape means the Attitude of love, the God-like kind of love, and the word phileo which means the Affection that one gives in love. Both of these types of Love ARE manifested in the Christian experience.
1.Love is a Revelation..vs.7..it is of God
a. a meeting of two hearts..introduction or acquaintance..( the time you met your marriage partner)...1-corin.8:3...rom.5:5...galat.5:22
b. a match made in heaven..vs.10..he loved us and sent his Son...God knew us before the beginning of the world...2-tim.1:7,9,10...deut.7:7...eph.1:4...1-john.3:1...
c. a message of hope...rom.5:4-6...rom.8:35-39...st.john.17:23,26...God loves me in any circumstance that arises...always his child...always hope in Christ...
2. Love is also Responsive...vs.10..( a moving or action )
a. there is communication..vs.10..God sent His Son and that’s how we know God...1-john.3:18...rom.5..but God commendeth His love toward us ...1-thess.1:9-10..
b. there is co-operation...1-corin.3:9....james.2:17...philip.2:12-13...
c. the response is continual...( on-going )...1-john.2:4...isaiah.49:14-16...st.john.17:26...
3. Love is Redeemptive...( saving )..vs.9-10...
a. it secures us..eph.1:7...coloss.1:14...the work of Christ secures all in salvation...
b. it sacrifices for us..heb.13:15...not only did He love us but he made the supreme sacrifice for us...
c. it saves us ( the motive in love was you and me )...titus.3:7...mercy is love at work...
4. Love has a Relationship..vs.7,8,11...
a. a willing relationship..1-john.3:14,16,22,...1-john.5:3..
b. a working relationship..1-john.3:18...love alone is not enough, there is actions to back it up...
c. a wondrous relationship...vs.16...dwelleth in God...God in us thru the holy spirit..God’s power,person,and promise in US!!! ( WOW )
5. Love has a Responsibility..vs.11..we ought also...
a. a comittment to others...eph.5:25-27...2-corin.11:2...heb.6:9
b. a covenant with others..heb.10:14-17...eph.5:1-2...
c. a commending to others..( showing )...rom.5:8..God commended his love toward us in that ...st.john.15:12...real love like Jesus showed to all...
6. Love is Remembered...vs.19..
a. remembered in Christ ..the work and agony of the cross,the mockery courts, the curse on the tree for us, the conditions He suffered so we could have this great Salvation...
b. remembered in our circumstances...matt.25:35-40..when ye helped others ye did it unto me also...the friends and acquaintances we have in this life..
c. remembered in our companionships...eph.5:..husbands and wives relationships..friends who have been an encouragement and help...those who were there in the time of need...all these showed their love when you really needed it!!!
Love is a Revelation from and of God, His love requires a response from you, His love was the motivating factor that brought the Lord Jesus Christ into this sinful world to die and rise again from the grave, the Relationship you have in Him should be directed out of love for Him, there is a responsibility that comes with the revelation, what causes you to remember the love of God in your life!!!
a
