What is Love? (insert violent neck-jerk)

When you say "I love you" to someone, what do you mean?

Do you mean "You're a great person"?

Are you saying "I like your personality"?

Is it "You make me feel really awesome"?

I tell people that I love them... a lot. What do those words mean when they come out of my mouth?

I've been wrestling with this word and what it truly means for a few months now. I want to nail down a definition. I resolve to be completely cognizant of what I am implying as the words dance off my lips.

So, what is love?

I define my life by the Bible, so that's a good place to start.

This passage breaks love down. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."

So, when I claim to love someone, I am committing to treating them in the aforementioned manner. Actually, I am claiming that I already treat them in that way. As the good old DC Talk song states, "Luv is a verb".

If I claim to love someone and I dishonor them, I lie.

If I tell a friend I love them but I don't protect them, I'm not telling the truth.

If I am too proud to apologize, I don't love that person.

These things are so real to me right now. The action of love matters infinitely more than the statement.

Jesus said "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, and all your strength.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" He says, "Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you."

NONE of those things have anything to do with the person you are loving. Also, I've found that loving people is too hard. I can't do it without help. Trust me. I've tried, and it isn't pretty. Love must begin with Christ and flow out to those around you.

Christ is the one who sustains love. If we are grounded in Him, real love should be a natural response.

With his strength, we should be able to say "I love you" to anyone and truly mean it.

I'm so grateful I serve an infinite God.