What is Love?

Love...what is it? Is it that mushy feeling you get when you see that guy or girl? Is it a hug? Is it saying "I love you"? What is love? Love, as defined by our very accurate and correct Holy Bible is one word: God. I John 4 says that God is love. This statement does not simply mean that God is something else: He is really love. This means that love is His very nature. It is the basis of everything that He does. And we are commanded to love. In Matthew 22, we are told that we are to above all else love our God most of all; then in the very next verse we are commanded to, next to that, love our neighbor the same way that we love ourselves. We love ourselves WAY too much. I know from experience that I love myself way more than I should. Whenever I have a choice to make, I will most likely make the choice that makes things easier for me, not for those around me; but by the grace of God I am able to deny myself and show love to others and make the unselfish choice, but that isn't even very often. I am so selfish, and I know so many people who are. So then if we are commanded to love, how DO we love? If God is love, and I KNOW I am certainly not God, then how do I become something that is that is the very essence of His character? This has been a question in my mind for some time, and I am just completely amazed by the love of my God. His love is not a selfish love. It is not a taking love. His love gives and sacrifices and puts others before self. THAT is my God. THAT is love. And how to do that, I have no idea; but I will continue to pray that God will be gracious to me and grant me His love so that I may love others the way that He loves me: unselfishly and sacrificially.

~ Stephanie ~
    *Phil. 3:13-14*