ALL IN A WORD

        

February is the month that includes Valentine’s Day, a day to show love in a special way. The meaning of “love” grows broader by the day. From what I have seen, it is the most used and abused word in the English language, aside from God’s name. What a paradox when you consider God is love! But the meanings of the three forms of love mentioned in the Bible — agape (as God loves), phileo (brotherly) and eros (fleshly) — do not include some of the meanings we attach to love. We love our new outfit, we love ice cream, we love to go shopping. Perfect examples of how the word is used and abused are in the songs and sayings we hear:

Love makes the world go ‘round

Love is a two-way street

Love the one you’re with

Love child

So how do we determine the real meaning of love? Even the dictionary fails to accurately define it. Webster describes it as strong affection or passion for someone or something. In my opinion, when the word “something” is included in the definition with “someone,” it cheapens the meaning. “Love” in a tennis game is defined as a score of zero. That’s what many of us feel we have scored when it comes to love — zero — but that’s another issue. The best definition I have found for love lies in I Corinthians 13. Romans 12 runs a close second. Colossians 3:12-14 is a good condensed description of love.

Love is not a passive word; it is an active word. Words alone, or feelings alone, or even words and feelings together do not portray love. Love is shown by actions. Words and affection are a bonus. Which husband portrays the most love: the one who says “I love you” 12 times a day and smothers his wife with affection but ignores her when she is sick, depressed, or has just washed off her makeup, or is it the one who stumbles at the words “I love you,”  shows little affection, but is there for his wife through thick and thin — supporting, encouraging, faithful, self-controlled and caring? I John 3:18 says, “Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

I John 3:13 warns us that our love may be returned with hate when we are dealing with the world. Even during these times we must remember the challenge God has set before us to “Love one another” (vs. 11). Before this can be attained, we must love the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind (Lk. 10:27). Only then can we love our neighbors — including our enemies — as ourselves.

All of this is contained in a word best defined in The Word. God is the author of love; Jesus, His Son, is the perfect example of that love. “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13. 

—Becky Overturf Wall