Suggested by: RLC
| Statements will be made in the discussion below that assumes the reader has an understanding of the foundational concepts revealed in other documents on this web site. |
| The word "love" is used in many ways in relation to many things today. I have always felt that we use it a lot but have very little understanding of what love actually is. The following discussion will attempt to intellectualize love to a degree; and, hopefully, in the process it will help us to better recognize when we are truly expressing GOD's Love ourselves. Although 1 Corinthians 13 offers an excellent explanation, I prefer an approach that reveals the aspects of love by beginning with an intellectual evaluation. (DLS) |
The first and foremost concept to consider is that love cannot be directed toward an object, thing, or entity-living being, or even GOD. It is always directed toward an envisioned purpose. Think about this carefully. If you believe you love another individual, it is because you envision a purpose for which both of you are required to utilize your gifts and abilities toward accomplishing that purpose in unison. This concept is true for any living entity--even GOD. GOD Loves a Purpose; and HIS Love for Man is according to the needs of that Purpose. Man was actually created for that Purpose.
Unfortunately, when our view is self-serving, we will always seek self-serving purposes. It is still love, but the purpose we love is self-serving. Such love is not GOD's Love. If two or more people enter a relationship for self-serving purposes, one result is that at some point their purposes are likely to diverge. When this occurs, problems will occur. Another result is that even if they enter the relationship for the same purpose, eventually, one or the other's purpose will change-creating the divergence of purposes and the resulting problems.
All spiritual growth results in GOD's Love in our heart. This Love is much more than a burning desire for HIS Purpose, which can also result from the self-serving view. It comes from an awareness of the very high value of that Purpose that is separate from self, except in how we can contribute to the Purpose. Therefore, the intellectual process described in the Seven Steps of Spiritual Growth writing must be followed to develop the needed awareness. There is a difference in commitment when we know as compared to believing. The spiritual growth process produces a knowing. This knowing then produces the commitment and certainty toward GOD's Purpose-see individual.pdf.
Our low spiritual level in relation to GOD does not distract HIM. With GOD's Love in our heart, neither will we be distracted by the evil other's may be manifesting. Such evil has no value in GOD's Purpose, but each individual does have qualities that are of value to GOD's Purpose. Those qualities are what we will see in them. The evil they express will be seen more as cancer is seen in our children. We will Love our enemy accordingly and leave any punishment they need to turn from their ways in GOD Hands until we know the "what and way" we may help to turn them. If we know the enemy is dangerous to our life in this world, it becomes even more important that we understand the situation completely relative to GOD's Purpose. Believing we must be the Hand of GOD, can harm the very Purpose we Love. Such a belief is most likely self-serving.
Consider that conflict with others, when we are striving to produce peaceful unity, is one of the highest tests of the purity of the Love in our heart. Since we believe we know the way of peace and believe in it, any remnant of our self-serving nature will attempt to control our antagonist in someway. Control does not produce Love in his/her heart because he/she must also follow the Seven Steps of Spiritual Growth. Didn't Jesus state that he could call an army of angels to defend him? But he didn't.
Consider the Nature of GOD's Love carefully with full dedication. There is a reason it is the highest goal of all spiritual growth.
If you have a question you would like to offer, please e-mail us at admin@bibleseek.com. We will give you credit in the following manner if you provide the information: First Initial, Last Initial, City, and State. Once e-mailed to us, we have the right to use it as we please as long as we give you credit as shown.
Return to Other Resources Page
| Reality Learning Center admin@bibleseek.com |