Genuine Love

Season 2 Episode 29 - We have often heard the verses from the Bible that state that God is love.  But what does that really mean?  What is genuine love?  Listen and find out!

"Reflect on This" is a once-weekly, short devotional podcast. In these devotionals, I share the things I am learning about the ways and nature of God, through applying my study of the Scriptures to life, in practical and fulfilling ways.
 
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Resources that inspired some episodes:

"The Language of Rivers and Stars" by Seth Lewis

"Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

"The Pleasure of His Company" by Dutch Sheets

"Fresh Air" by Chris Hodges

“Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis
 
 Seth Lewis blog:  https://sethlewis.ie/

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured ministries and resources:
 
“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
 Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers paid apprenticeships to men who need a second chance.  These apprentices learn biblical principles, character, and valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, make a donation, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
This is a weekday 35-minute podcast that presents headline news, in-depth news articles, media reviews, and opinion pieces from a Christian world view.  Their stated mission is "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires."
 
“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
"Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope" (podcast)
This is a 4-minute weekday podcast, where Joni shares stories of her life and biblical applications.  One of the world's longest living quadriplegics, God has used her courage, determination, faithfulness, and love to inspire and minister in amazing ways to people around the world.    
 
"e-Sword" (Bible study software)
This study tool includes many free (and low-cost) resources, including Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, and devotionals.
On your computer, go to e-sword.net
On your mobile device, go to your app store and search for “e-sword.” 

Music credits:
Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all 

Transcript

I have been thinking a lot lately about God’s vast love for us.  I have been re-reading what the Bible teaches about God’s love.  Many of the verses are very familiar to me, so I have been reading them in different translations, to keep my mind engaged with the words, and to capture more of the rich nuances of the original language.  Here are just a few of those verses:

John 3:16 AMP  For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He [even] gave up His only begotten (unique) Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, relies on) Him shall not perish (come to destruction, be lost) but have eternal (everlasting) life.

Romans 5:8 NIV  But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Zephaniah 3:17 AMP  The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.   [NLT  …With His love, He will calm (or silence) all your fears…]

1 John 3:1a NIV  See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! 

Galatians 2:20 AMP  I have been crucified with Christ [in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ (the Messiah) lives in me; and the life I now live in the body I live by faith in (by adherence to and reliance on and complete trust in) the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself up for me.

1 John 4:19 HCSB  We love because He first loved us.

Psalms 86:15 NIV  But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

Romans 8:37-39 NIV  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.  (38)  For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,  (39)  neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.  [In summary, nothing can separate us from the love of God.]

Ephesians 2:4-5 NIV  But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,  (5)  made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

1 John 4:16 ESV  So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Jeremiah 31:3 NIV  The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.

As I thought about the type of love described in these verses, it struck me that love must be by choice.  If we are forced to love (i.e., if we have no choice in the matter), then it is not really love.

For example, if we demanded that our children love us, would we really experience the feeling of being loved by them, or even the reality of being loved by them?  Would their outward compliance alone communicate genuine love to us, if their heart is not motivating their behavior?  No.  Love must be voluntarily given, in order to be genuine love.  Here is my point:  if we are to communicate genuine love, it must be voluntary, by our choice, not under compulsion.

Jesus illustrated this concept.  He demonstrated that, even within the Trinity, there is choice, and hence a demonstration of true love.  Jesus was not forced by the Father to go to the cross and die.  He chose to go to the cross and die. 

John 15:13 NASB  "Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 3:16 ESV By this we know love, that he [Jesus] laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.  [He laid down His life voluntarily, not under compulsion, thereby demonstrating His love for the Father (and also for us).]

John 19:30 ESV When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished,” and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit.  [He bowed His head and gave up His spirit voluntarily, not under compulsion.]

Here is my challenge to you today:  Will you choose to truly love, according to the example of Jesus?

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”