By R. Burridge

Biblical Love – Defined

The world’s definition of love is that it is something mystical that we fall into and out of. Is it any wonder that families have such a problem when they are founded upon such an empty idea as that. Jesus said that love was something we do. We do it to God, to one another, to our neighbor and we even do it to our enemies! If love is then an action, there is always something we can do about it when it is lacking. Sure, there is ‘feeling’ to love, but that is its fruit not its essence. If Jesus says that we can love our enemies then
certainly we can love our family members and friends, even when they are being unlovely. What then IS love? Let me suggest this…

“Love is an attitude implanted into needful human hearts by the prevailing grace of God whereby we are enabled to joyously obey the revealed desires of our creator both toward the Lord Himself and toward one another.”

Biblical love is when we treat one another the way God tells us to. When we are cooperating with the way He made us to be. Only then can we enjoy the blessings He has for us as creatures. Now this is only possible once we are redeemed in Christ. Outside of our new life in Him we are selfish even in what we call “love”. Only as our spirit is renewed in forgiveness can it reach out and obey God at all. Even that renewed obedience is not perfect in this life, but it is impossible in any way outside of salvation in Christ.

This is not based upon some idle speculation. It is based upon the following Scriptures:

John 14:21 – (Jesus is speaking) “He who has my commandments, and keeps them, he it is who loves Me…”

Romans 13:10 – Paul writes, “…love therefore is the fulfillment of the law.”

Matthew 22:37-40 – Jesus said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. And a second is like it, You
shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets.”

May our Lord grant that we all should admit our lack of personal righteousness and reach out trusting in the work of Jesus Christ alone. He took our place in His death on the cross, bearing the wrath of God the Father so that His children might be set free from the bondage of sin, and made free to love.

R. Burridge 1975

Computers for Christ – Chicago