Ep03.07: Unpacking Series - Love

LOVE is of:  (Mk12:28-31)

HEART:  strong emotional affection for, delight in, and supernatural affinity with (aheb, agape)

• beholding beauty & value, a passionate treasuring (Songs)
• longing to see, seeking after, inviting in & vulnerably sharing life with (Songs, Pro, 1Th2:8,3:6)
• unashamedly, lavishly celebrating the object of affection (Songs)

SOUL:  willful, committed, loyal, devoted, covenantal faithfulness to (chesed; Rom 12:9-19)  

• sincere, pure, fervent & earnest, not lacking zeal, in truth & deed (Rom12:9-19, 1Pet1:22,4:8, 1Jn3:18)
• a willingness to lay my life down for (Jn15:13)
• humbly obedient to God, keeping His commandments (Jn14:15)

MIND:  an intentional disposition of always desiring good for one another and all people (1Th5:8-15)

• rejoicing in truth rather than unrighteousness (1Cor13)
• making of things right/just (in speaking & doing) (Mic6:8, Pro14:22,Rom12)
• compassionate empathy, truly seeking to understand how a person is wired and what they are going through
• patience & forgiveness of wrongs (Unp:Patience, Unp:Mercy, Luk7:47, 1Cor13, 1Th5:13)
  • bearing and enduring the sins and struggles of others (1Cor13)
  • covering over sin (not disclosing it, not creating discord) (Pro10:12, 1Pet4:8)
  • grieving the wrong, without anger, bitterness, resentment, or irritation (Gen6:6, Eph4:31)
  • not taking revenge, instead repaying evil with good (Rom12:9-19)
  • refraining from enforcing what may be due or right, in the moment
  • moving the responsibility for atonement (compensation) off of the wrongdoer onto God*
  • not taking wrong into account (extinguishing their guilt; 1Cor13)
  • regaining full goodwill toward (Pro16:6)
  • willing to reconcile (dependent upon the wrongdoer’s confession & discipline/training)
• not unbecoming or rude (1Cor13), not provoking others (Gal5:26)
• not causing any to stumble, make every effort to what leads to peace and mutual edification (Rom14:15-19)
• living in peace and harmony with one another (Rom12)
• honor one another above yourselves, regard each other as more important (Rom12:9-19, Phil2:3)

& STRENGTH:  an active, abundant, practical, sacrificial contribution to well-being

• spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically, socially, & resource-wise

• hospitable (Rom12:9-19)
• serving and helping one another as needed (Gal5:13, Phil2:4)
• rejoicing with those who rejoice, mourning with those who mourn (Rom12:9-19)
• encouraging the fainthearted and helping the weak (1Th5:14)
• caring tenderly and gently (1Th2:7), comfort, treat with tenderness (2Cor1:4-7, 2:7)
• protecting, rescuing, saving (2Sam22:20, Ps146:9, Jhn3:16)
• blessing, showing favor/grace (Unp:Grace)
• sharing the gospel/good news (1Th2:9)
• provoking others to love and good works (Heb10:24)
• teaching kindness (which includes establishing and protecting kings) (Pro20:28)
• diligently identifying wrongs & pruning to right (Pro3:12)
• speak truth, teach, encourage, implore, exhort, rebuke/admonish, discipline, & correct others to walk in a manner worthy of the lord (for the unruly & those in opposition), all done restoratively & gently, not harshly (1Th2:11-12,5:14, 2Tim2:25)
  • reluctantly willing to use suffering (sours, wind sprints) when needed; relenting when needed
• edifying, building up one another (1Th5:11)
• always trusting and hopeful (in God and the potential of others) (1Cor13)
• …
• with a physical intimacy with spouse (Songs, 1Cor7:5)

 

Okay, here's the big one!  What exactly is "love" according to Scripture?  How does one receive it and offer it? What does it result in?  Why is this the most important thing in God's plans?

TIMESTAMP:

00:00 - an introduction to unpacking love

15:41 - original wordings, key definitions/terminology, relevant passages & concepts

1:26:28 - a working definition of love

1:31:33 - details, nuances, interworkings of love in action

2:17:26 - benefits & results of such love

2:23:30 - the criticalness & superiority of love

2:30:14 - take-aways & application