We can all agree with that old familiar song, "What the Word Needs Now is Love, Love, Love," truly it does. In today's society we see and know of people doing just about everything to find love. The internet has many dating websites and thousands are looking for that "right" one. Grocery check out stands have many magazines showing the loves of celebrities. We follow these celebrities in and out of their love affairs. We may have loved and lost, and we too then are looking for love. The kind of love that we are speaking of here is one kind of love, eros, and it is allusive, and often the search is in vain. We can become discouraged, depressed, that too often leads to searching " Looking for love in all the wrong places," as the song goes. Psychaitrist and psychologist are busy treating people who are having a difficul time with love. It is good when we find this kind of love but this is not the kind of love that the Apostle John is writing about.
What the worls needs is love and the love it needs is not necessarily ther eros love but the love that is deeper and a love that can be given away without any loss. The word for love that the Apostles uses in this verse is in the Greek "agapomen" the root being agape which is a principled God love. Notice the "men" on the end of this word, this increase its meaning. This verb is an action verb in the present tense and is subjunctive. What does that mean? It means that the subject, "children" should be taking action in the "now" and the ending gives it an increased meaning of "indeed", "truly," therefore, we are to love now and continually. Not just any kind of love but a love that springs for our Father in heaven who is love.
This love is with truth, so imperative that we know the truth and the only way to obtain this truth is by personal study of the Bible. Bible studies are good, and are helpful, but the speakers are not inspired individuals, only the Word of God is inspired and the Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth. Don't stop learning, go to Bible studies, but then study, don't leave the Bible study and think nothing of it again until the study. Get into the word because what the world needs is not "love" it is "Truth." Truth given in love. The Truth we bring; there is the deeds, is the message that Jesus died for our sins and we can have what God has promised. "And this is what he promised us--even eternal life" (1 John 2:25).
Love by sitting with a patient in the hospital, at a convalescent care facility, feeding the down and out, and so many other places to demostrate the love of God. Jesus when we do these things we are doing to Him. Adjusting our schedules may be necessary, but for most we are too busy, running the mall, going here and going there, with no real present need. We are to love with deeds and truth. We hold the message that brings love and life. God through the crucifixion of His Son brought the redemption and He has entrusted us with this message until He returns.
Pray to God to show you how you can demonstrate His love and bring truth to others. Become intentional, study, pray, go and God will lead. The Holy Spirit will guide you. You want to find love? You will in the giving of love to others. This is not a fleeting love as is with "eros" love, or "phileo" love it is a love that comes directly from God and is lasting for both you and to those you bring it too.
Daily Prayer:
Dear Jesus, thank you for showing me the greatest love in all the world. Help me to show that love to others, and guide me to those you have for me to demonstrate your love too. Thank you for allowing me to be a messenger of your love. Forgive my failure to keep it to myself. Amen
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