Love Defined (by the Bible and the Poem)

Love Defined--except that it describes all the things that love is NOT--this is a reasonably good poem. To begin with, LOVE IS NOT an emotion--second-hand or other wise, or a feeling, (to love is a verb and describes an action), it is also not a force, triumph, beacon, or goal. Love Defined What is love but an emotion So strong and so pure, That nurtured and shared with another All tests it will endure? What is love but a force To bring the mighty low, With the strength to shame the mountains And halt time's ceaseless flow? What is love but a triumph, A glorious goal attained, The union of two souls, two hearts, A bond the angels have ordained? What is love but a beacon To guide the wayward heart, A blazing light upon the shoals That dash cherished dreams apart? And what is love but forever, Eternal and sincere, A flame that through wax and wane Will outlive life's brief years? So I'll tell it on the mountaintops, In all places high and low, That love for you is my reason to be, And will never bow. Curtis Teed Everybody seems to believe that “LOVE” is a good thing. However, not all agree what is “LOVE. Is love that warm touchy –feely feeling a person has when he or she is with a familiar person? According to the Bible, love is not what we feel but what we do. The true meaning of love, as defined in the Bible, has been corrupted, by Amerifictation; their now common misuse of OUR ENGLISH language and by the MODERN “so-what” SOCIETY. Most often, love is confused with infatuation, that elated, “HIGH” feeling we get when we “fall in love” , copulation, or fornication. It is impossible to fall in love and this kind of “love” is something that lasts typically less than a year, and unless replaced by true love results in broken relationships. This kind of "love" is what; in other times, in more caring cultures and societies, gave one a very "bad " name and In the time of Christ could get you stoned to death.
Origin of Love The bible indicates that love is from God. In fact, the Bible says “God Is Love” Love is one of the primary characteristics of God. Likewise, God has endowed us with the capacity for love. This capacity for love is one of the ways we are supposedly “created in the image of God”; while in reality, Man created God-in HIS own image. Different Kinds of Love The Greek language (the language of the New Testament) uses two different words to describe and define love. The most commonly used Greek word translated “love” in the New Testament is “agape” This love is represented by God’s love for us. It is non-partial, SACRIFICIAL LOVE (and very un-healthy in humans) probably best exemplified by God’s provision for our rebellion???: “For God so loved (agape) the world that he gave-the life of, THAT WHICH WAS NOT HIS TO GIVE; so he gave nothing- His only begotten Son, the son that he "begot" by according to the bible, (forcing himself, or, his spirit, on a woman without her prior consent); but then, since we were created, according to the bible, in Gods image, we're intended to be his thoughtless slaves, obeying his will without question; so, the thought of a woman's "rights" would never cross the MIND OF SUCH A GOD.), that who ever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16). If God is the father of Christ; then the conception was not a-sexual. There had to be two sets of genes. There had to be Mary's genes; and God"s or some other father's induced genes; giving Mary's egg fertility and life. Therefore the conception was also not immaculate.
The gift of God’s son as a provision for sin was given to all humans, regardless of who we are. God’s love is therefore unconditional; but self centred to the extreme. In contrast, our love is usually conditional and based on how other people behave toward us; again fully self-centred. This kind of love is based upon familiarity and direct interaction. The Greek word “phileo” defines this kind of love, often translated “brotherly love”. Plileo is a soulish kind of love—something that can be experienced by both believers and non-believers. This is in contrast to agape, which is love extended through the spirit. Agape love requires a relationship with God ( and is the source of many of the world’s problems--especially since God did not secure permission from the U.S. of A. to impose this requirement and because he further implied that someone who lived and died in the Middle East could possibly have more authority or be more more "righteous" than the U.S. of A. ) through Jesus Christ,the man, since it is believed that the non-regenerated soul is unable to love unconditionally. Agape love gives and expects nothing in return—or so it is claimed. I am not a true agnostic—I do not believe in MAN’S GOD, but my higher power is The Mother of All, Nature Herself. But for those of you that do believe, have studied the Bible and know about Peter’s character, know that Peter was ruled by his emotions, and often responded to situations emotionally, rather than thinking before acting. Sometimes—rarely, this kind of response leads to good things e.g., Peter walking on water to meet Jesus-Matthew 14:25-33), whereas at other times, Peter’s response was inappropriate (He was interrupted by God while suggesting that he build three tabernacles, one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Eliaja on the Mount of Transfiguration-Matthew 17:4) Peter was quite proficient at expressing phileo love, and was probably very popular because of his dynamic character. However God, (that image we created), wants us to express both phileo and agape love. The most famous biblical chapter on love is from 1 Corinthians: "If I speak in the tongues of men; and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong, or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the “FLAMES”, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, is not proud. Is not rude, 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 TRUTH. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always PRESERVES. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, if will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child; I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection in the mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love"-13:1-13) This is a description of apage love.

© Al (Alex, Alexander) D Girvan 2011. All rights reserved.