For God so loved the world that he sent His only begotten Son…(John 3:16)
People throw around the L-word quite frequently throughout the day. So frequently in fact that the true meaning of the word gets lost. For example, “I love this ice cream flavor…I love chocolate…I love baseball” so on and forth. Of course there is no harm in those comments, and just about everyone is guilty of such playful “descriptions” of their strong likes and desires.
The meaning of LOVE between husband and wife, is essentially what I think of in terms of LOVE. Also, the love of your children. These are deep and higher meanings of love, and usually selfless and unconditional.
Websters dictionary has many meanings, but the number one meaning is: a profoundly tender, passionate affection for another person… It’s also a tennis score. And, as I’ve stated above in my post, it can pertain to really enjoying and liking something: to have a strong liking for; take great pleasure in: to love music.
In the World History Dictionary LOVE has many meanings, but the one that popped out to me was number nine….Christianity. And, the meaning was as follows: God’s benevolent attitude towards man…man’s attitude of reverent devotion towards God.
And still again, in the BIBLE DICTIONARY when you look up LOVE it gets closer to another meaning/explanation with this particular description, though there are many others.
Love definition **
“This word seems to require explanation only in the case of its use by our Lord in his interview with “Simon, the son of Jonas,” after his resurrection (John 21:16, 17). When our Lord says, “Lovest thou me?” he uses the Greek word _agapas_; and when Simon answers, he uses the Greek word _philo_, i.e., “I love.” This is the usage in the first and second questions put by our Lord; but in the third our Lord uses Simon’s word. The distinction between these two Greek words is thus fitly described by Trench:, “_Agapan_ has more of judgment and deliberate choice; _philein_ has more of attachment and peculiar personal affection. Thus the ‘Lovest thou’ (Gr. agapas) on the lips of the Lord seems to Peter at this moment too cold a word, as though his Lord were keeping him at a distance, or at least not inviting him to draw near, as in the passionate yearning of his heart he desired now to do. Therefore he puts by the word and substitutes his own stronger ‘I love’ (Gr. philo) in its room. A second time he does the same. And now he has conquered; for when the Lord demands a third time whether he loves him, he does it in the word which alone will satisfy Peter (‘Lovest thou,’ Gr. phileis), which alone claims from him that personal attachment and affection with which indeed he knows that his heart is full.” In 1 Cor. 13 the apostle sets forth the excellency of love, as the word “charity” there is rendered in the Revised Version.”
Easton’s 1897 Bible Dictionary (Ref)**
The connection between Peter and the Lord comes to life in that passage of the BIBLE. There are so many ways in which to express oneself. As noted in the exchange between Christ and Peter.
The Trinity is LOVE personified. And, when I think of LOVE I see all three ensconced into that word. I took paper and pen this morning and wrote the word LOVE, and immediately I was lead by the SPIRIT to design what is now in this post. I looked at the paper and there it was! Simple, yet prolific in its meaning and content.
The scripture of John 3:16 is a powerful way of describing and feeling the word love. He came looking of US. The significance of that alone is mind-boggling and overwhelming to say the very least. Of course there are so many expressions of LOVE in the BIBLE. When you put the word LOVE in the concordance so many passages come up. Each one stipulating, demonstrating and solidifying that GOD is all about LOVE. Powerful, magnificent, and yet gentle and tender toward His children.
Not only to His children, but His creatures. And His landscape of boundless beauty. There was a severe thunderstorm here yesterday, pounding down with considerable force. I mean it was slamming hard. And, yet the flowers and trees were untouched by the downpour from the heavens. His protection was evident. And, the birds afterwards were splish-splashing in a puddle of fresh rain water, chirping away. So peaceful and beautiful to watch. Another sign of LOVE. God’s landscape and creatures.
The next time you hear the word LOVE think of GOD– there is no greater definition. GOD equals LOVE pure and simple, for all eternity.
So the next time you say, “I love this movie” or whatever the object of affection might be– look up and think of the true meaning of LOVE…
“Thank you Father for your heart and Love, Amen.”
======
He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. (John 21:16 KJV)
Deuteronomy 7:9 (KJV)
Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
Proverbs 8:21 (KJV)
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
Mark 12:30(KJV)
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Mark 10:21(KJV)
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.