I’m wondering today if we really believe that God is love. We hear it, we spout it, we say we believe it.
But if we really, really believe that God is actually love (the pure love talked about in Corinthians) wouldn’t we also conversely believe that this true love is God?
With that in mind, I was thinking about the words of Rhymes_With_Kerouac: So I wonder then, if every time I display love in the world if I’m not displaying the nature of God. I wonder if a pretty good definition of ‘ministry’ might be to simply love God and to love others. Is there a time and a place to ’share the gospel’ (whatever that means, exactly)? Of course there is. In the right time, and the right place, which you’ll know – and you’ll know exactly what to say, and how to say it – because it will be one more expression of the love of God, seamlessly flowing through you, bubbling up out of you, making you into a transparency through which God can be known.
If God is love, then isn’t this God? Isn’t loving others for the specific purpose of loving others, with no strings attached and no expectations or selfishness the ultimate expression of God’s very nature? And if it is, isn’t that the best vision of hope we can give to those around us?
What do you think?
Yes, yes and amen
I think unconditional love is the most precious gift that can be given; and, I do think that this is the best expression of God’s love.
I love the King James prose of Corinthians about charity. I love that description of a ‘tinkling cymbal’ if we have not charity or that pure love.
I also like hisgirlfriday’s use of the word gift. That has always been an intriguing thing to me, that that love cannot be manufactured but is a gift that you must first receive before you can exude that gift towards others.
I am a believing Latter-day Saint and there is a beautiful verse in the Book of Mormon in this same context of charity that calls for us to “pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ.”
I agree wholeheartedly that love is the essential nature of God.
Yes and unfortunately; ‘God-is-nt-present” enough in the world because Christians are not displaying the love as it is supposed to be displayed.
Heather,
I think you are so dead on withthis. I caould not agree more. It is something that I have been convicted over many times and stil struggle with at times. I thin that’s why it agrivates me so muchto find the newest creative tracts left behind at my workplace. Even the most lost people don’t deserve such condiscending attempts to get them to church and frankly it makes me ashamede to asociate my self with the word “Christian” . I would not deny it , but it makes me a mix of sad & angry to find this garbage left on a table as a tip. It’s strange to me how many of us really miss the mark on that. Jesus spoke specifically about meeting peoples needs. We can’t even hope to meet the spiritual needs of any one , so what needs do you think He was talking about?
Anyway , as I said I think you are dead on .
Peace
Absolutely. By giving love, God took care of me during the first days after my father’s death. By giving out love, when I needed it, I got love in return. Lots of support from those around me. Many of them I have known for only a few months. But the love given, showed a way to love in return.
Don’t know of that made sense.
Sis, you are touching on some deep and profound truths with this one. Concepts of Christ BEING love, way, truth and life seem to clarify that which followers ought to seek, and SHOW others.
This might be the first comment that sticks. I think I’ve finally figured it out.
I agree, especially if we pray while we love others. I’m learning that if I pray about someone, God will show me specifically how to love that person, which is actually displaying His love to that person.
What does it mean to say God is love in a metaphysical sense? I suspect the answer is more difficult than it might seem.
You might be interested in the following post:(http://deligentia.wordpress.com/2009/10/24/deciphering-god-is-love/).
Nice post!