Love is a Word that is heard many times every day. It is used to express intimate feeling between individuals, toward family members, in poetry, in songs and in hymns. It is one of the most commonly used words in our daily experience. People use this word to convince others of their loyalty, devotion and affection. A young man trying to win the affections of a young lady might say “Darling, you know I love you!”
The meaning of love
The word “love” may be used to convince another person to commit his/her life to someone or something. Wars have been fought over the love of freedom. There have been some definitions of different levels of love with God’s love toward man being the highest and most important. A dictionary defines “love” as: To be fond of, desire, a deep and tender feeling of affection, or attachment, or devotion to a person. There are so many definitions attached to this one word it may take several minutes just to read about its meaning and usage. This is an indication of the breath and depth of the small but deeply profound word — LOVE.
God’s love
The greatest demonstration of love in the history of mankind is found in the Bible, John 3:16. God was so fond of the people in His creation, He had such a deep desire, a deep and tender feeling of affection, He was so merciful to the people of this world that He gave his only son to die for us. God does not want us to perish; He wants us to have eternal life.
While we were yet sinners, God loved us so much that He sent His only son to die for us (Rom. 5:8). Jesus was made sin for us; he knew no sin, but he came and conquered sin that we might be made righteous through him (II Cor. 5:21).
Our Heavenly Father
God loved us so much and wanted to communicate and be one with us so strongly, that He sent His son to redeem us from sin. Sin is the force that blocks mankind from being in fellowship with God. For we were made in His image; we were made to communicate with Him and worship Him. We are to God as a child is to its father (Psa. 103).
In John 15:12-17, Jesus attempts to explain the intimacy of his feelings and his Father’s feelings toward us. He told us to love each other as he and the Father in heaven have loved us. Jesus called us friends and as such we should respond as true friends. As brothers and sisters we are to love each other with this same interest and devotion. We must genuinely look to the needs of one another, in openness, concern and persistence. Only then can we help each other effectively and sufficiently. Let us continue in brotherly love and unity — that is the way God has taught us how to live through the example of His dear son.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One