What Is Love?

"What Love Is" by D. J. Love, Minister, TSN, SBC Updated 12-28-2001 Refined 3-22-2007

Once, while attending classes as a student at a local State College, I had a professor ask each of us to define "Love." I discovered that he really wasn't interested in YHVH's definition of "Love," but "Love" as defined by the hearts of people. I knew immediately that this lesson wasn't going to reveal any truth concerning, "What Love Is." Almost every student defined "Love" as the way people feel about each other. Feelings that invariably included romance and/or passion, while occasionally someone would bring up trust and loyalty. The trust and loyalty answers were much closer to the truth, but I was the only student who defined "Love" as a selfless act. Of course, that is when I discovered that no one was really interested in YHVH's definition of "Love." I am going to assume that you are interested in YHVH' s (The Creator's) definition of "Love," and that this is why you are here.

The Deception (see note 2 at bottom of page)

1 John 4:7-8 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of YHVH; and everyone who loves is born of YHVH, and knows YHVH. He who doesn't love doesn't know YHVH, for YHVH is Love ("Agape," ag-ah-pay; Strong's #26; Affection or Benevolence expressed as Charity [Selfless Giving]; from #25 "Agan" in a social or moral sense).

Note: This type of Love requires a person to eagerly give of themselves (personal sacrifice).

This is the reason behind the deception. If Satan's influence (Human Nature) can cause us to misunderstand "What Love Is," then we really wouldn't understand what YHVH is and what YHVH wants us to be. For YHVH wants His children to be in His Image. YHVH wants His children to have the same mind or same mental Spirit as He has. We are to become "Like Him," and if we do not, then He will reject us. To become "Like Him" Spiritually speaking is to become a "New Person" mentally; not only knowing "How to Love" (as The Messiah taught), but applying the knowledge of "How To Love" to YHVH first, and then likewise to applying it to our fellow man (as the Messiah taught); this is what YHVH means in John 3:16 when He says, "Believeth In Him." He means that, "To Believe In The Messiah Is To Believe Like Him," and to become "As One" with him (a Mental Marriage, Rev. 19:9; Matthew 22:2). Then and only then can and will a True Believer have the same Holy Spirit as the Messiah and YHVH.

So What Is Love? Simply put, "Love" is not an emotion, but is an "Action Taken," that is both "Selfless" and promotes "Well Being." According to YHVH's word in 1 Corinthians 13, YHVH sums up what "Love" is and what "Love" is not. In every case "Love" is described as a "Selfless Beneficial Act," and not as a "self-centered emotion." "Love" is the attempt at or accomplishment of satisfying the needs (not wants) of others, and not the satisfying of personal needs or vanities. Giving gifts at Xmas time or birthdays is not an act of "Love." Getting emotionally upset with your spouse or sweetheart, because you feel unloved is not a result of "Love." "True Love" expects no return. "True Love" is not a give in order to receive relationship.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (in all cases "Love" is "Agape;" Strong's #26)

4 Love is patient and is kind; love does not envy (a feeling). Love

does not brag (feeling of self-gratification or vanity), is not proud (feeling of self-gratification or vanity), 5 does not behave itself inappropriately (the result of emotion), doesn't seek its own way (self-fulfilment), is not provoked to anger (an emotion), takes no account of evil (self-centeredness or vanity. Whereas "Love" is YHVH-centered. YHVH IS Love). 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness (a negative emotion), but rejoices with the truth (a positive result of "Love"); 7 bears all things (not an emotion), believes all things (not an emotion), hopes all things (not an emotion), endures all things (not an emotion). Although "Love" itself is not an emotion, an "Act of Love" may result in "Righteous Rejoicing," which is (truly) the only positive emotion. However, do not forget "Righteous Rejoicing" is not "Love," but a resultant of Love. "Love" can actually appear to be a harsh act (without emotion), as with proper (not harmful) spanking or chastisement. Do we not know that YHVH spanks, chastises and punishes those He loves? (Leviticus 26:18-28; Hebrews12:5-13)

Hebrews 12:5-13 5 and you have forgotten the exhortation which reasons with you as with sons, "My son, don't take lightly the chastening of YHVH, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him; 6 For whom YHVH "Loves", He chastens, And scourges (whips) every son whom He receives." 7 It is for discipline that you endure. YHVH deals with you as with sons, for what son is there whom his father doesn't discipline? (Answer: The children of Satan's world.) 8 But if you are without discipline, whereof all have been made partakers, then you are illegitimate, and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they indeed, for a few days, punished us as seemed good to them; but He (YHVH) for our profit, that we may be partakers of His Holiness. 11 All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised thereby.

12 Therefore, lift up the hands that hang down and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, that that which is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed.

Note: Through my studies I have seen a consistent inconsistency in the Anglican (Roman influenced) King James version of the Bible that must be deliberate. This lack of consistent translation of keywords can only be due to Satan's influence (Human Nature). Why for example is the Greek word "Agape" translated as "Love" in 1 John 4, but as "Charity" in 1 Corinthians 13? Could it be a deliberate attempt to prevent the uninformed from associating "Love" with the act of "Charity" by not using the two words together in the same Chapter or verse? Could it be that Satan (Human Nature) prefers the word "Love" to be confused with passion and lust? I think So!