I Want To Know What Love Is
1 John 3
KJV
16+ Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
The Apostle John was an eyewitness to the life of Jesus; he observed Him from a close range. As such, his writings reflect the very detailed life that Jesus led.
As is known he was the disciple who was described as the one “who leaned on his breast at supper” Read it
John 21
KJV
20+ Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee?
As you recall it was only John who wrote what has become the profound test of knowing what love is. Please read it?
John 15
KJV
13+ Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
His epistles therefore are the account of his experiences and observations of the love that Jesus taught and practiced. It is these that informed our text for this write-up Regarding the title, listeners of music will know that it was the title of a popular hit many years ago. ( Foreigner -1984)
Do you want to know what love is? Then here is how it is manifested by anyone who claims to love you. Is he/she willing to “lay down his/her life “ for you?
1 John 3:16 NIV
[16] This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
To make sure his readers do not confuse what he means by “ laying down “ Of life, he added the following;
1 John 3:17
NIV
[17] If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?
The context therefore gives us the meaning of those words. There is no ambiguity about what John meant. No one can say he does not understand what he meant. When we give to someone what is of great value, to enhance his life or lift him from a low level we are “ laying down our life” for the recipient!
There are too many fake, hypocritical and pretentious acts parading as love which must be exposed. These are mainly words coined to deceive and mislead the unsuspecting. Some mistook “ admiration “ for love. Which is not, unless backed with action; admiration is mere words!
John cautioned against this; read it ;
1 John 3:18-19
NIV
[18] Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. [19]
This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence:
A genuine action, from a genuine heart, motivated and inspired by genuine
concern and love for the recipient or beneficiary! This is what love is!
On a practical note to illustrate, recently I was bereaved and many were those who sent their “ condolences “ my inbox was full! On the day of the funeral only a few of the many “ condolencers” showed up. Their “ condolences “ were mere words because they failed to translate them into deeds.
Do you remember what John said?
1 John 3:18
NIV
Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
Translate your “ condolences “ into deeds this is what it means to “lay down one’s life”! A condolence is a sympathy, deeds (actions) translate sympathy into empathy. Beloved, sympathy and empathy are not the same, Many sympathize, only a few empathize
With this experience, I was approached a few days ago by a brother who want to publish my second bereavement which just occurred on a platform, unfortunately, I turned down the request. I told him my inbox will be full of “condolences “ which will result in no show on the day of burial. Yes, these are hard and unpleasant truths known to all . Beloved, I want to know what love is!
We have loved each other by words for far to long, that a mere expression of sympathetic words ( a condolence ) is interpreted as love!
A thought to share