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Bulletin Article Archive, February 14, 2010

What is True Love?

by Travis L. Quertermous

Today is Valentine’s Day, a holiday devoted to love and affection. Yet “love” is one of the most loosely used words in the English language. This creates a lot of confusion about what true love really is. In 1 Corinthians 13:8, the apostle Paul said, “Love never fails.” Yet many times couples will say they have fallen out of love with one another. Such an attitude shows that they never really understood how God defines love.

Most people think of love as a strong, warm feeling of affection for someone or something. Certainly there is an emotional aspect to love. Between spouses, there are even romantic feelings. But in the Bible, love is not just something one feels, it is a decision of the will to help others even if one must sacrifice of oneself to do so. That’s how God and Christ love us and that’s how we should love others. In 1 John 3:16-18, we read, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” In Scripture, love is a verb—it is shown in how we live and in how we treat others (1 Cor. 13:4-8).

So it is not enough just to say, “I love you” (although we certainly should say that to our loved ones). We must back those words up with genuine, loving actions. When we consistently treat others with kindness, respect, and love, the right feelings will naturally follow. Let us resolve to be truly loving people.

God is like a parent to us. He loves us and truly does care. Learn to believe in Him, listen to Him and talk with Him. Good things are in store for you.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son ask for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:7-11).

BULLETIN DIGEST Robert Dodson

P.O. Box 500 vis Birdville Newsletter

Cresson, TX 76035-0500 Haltom City, TX 76117

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(573) 624-8906 Fax (573) 624-8907	Bulletin Article Archive, February 14, 2010
	What is True Love? by Travis L. Quertermous Today is Valentine’s Day, a holiday devoted to love and affection. Yet “love” is one of the most loosely used words in the English language. This creates a lot of confusion about what true love really is. In 1 Corinthians 13:8, the apostle Paul said, “Love never fails.” Yet many times couples will say they have fallen out of love with one another. Such an attitude shows that they never really understood how God defines love. Most people think of love as a strong, warm feeling of affection for someone or something. Certainly there is an emotional aspect to love. Between spouses, there are even romantic feelings. But in the Bible, love is not just something one feels, it is a decision of the will to help others even if one must sacrifice of oneself to do so. That’s how God and Christ love us and that’s how we should love others. In 1 John 3:16-18, we read, “By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” In Scripture, love is a verb—it is shown in how we live and in how we treat others (1 Cor. 13:4-8). So it is not enough just to say, “I love you” (although we certainly should say that to our loved ones). We must back those words up with genuine, loving actions. When we consistently treat others with kindness, respect, and love, the right feelings will naturally follow. Let us resolve to be truly loving people. God is like a parent to us. He loves us and truly does care. Learn to believe in Him, listen to Him and talk with Him. Good things are in store for you. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son ask for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:7-11). BULLETIN DIGEST Robert Dodson P.O. Box 500 vis Birdville Newsletter Cresson, TX 76035-0500 Haltom City, TX 76117


		*Like these articles? You can receive our Free Weekly church bulletin each week by mail and read more articles like this.* You may request to be put on our mailing list and receive all our future bulletin articles. Email us your name and mailing address. Go Here to add your name to the mailing list Be sure to VISIT OUR ARCHIVES FOR PAST ARTICLES [go here]
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