WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?

ROMANS 13:8-10: “Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” NKJV

OBSERVATION: What’s love got to do with it? These are the words from an old rock song of the 80s. The chorus goes on to ask this question.

“What’s love but just a second-hand emotion?”

The world today is divided over the meaning of love. Many believers today are also confused about love. What is love? Is it just a secondhand emotion? Is it just another word that the church has surrendered to the world?

While the world proclaims – “Love is Love’, what is the response of the church?

Much of the confusion regarding love stems from the limitation of the English language. The world throws around the word “love” without any disclaimers. One can love a can of cola or a person. We love that song, the latest movie, our car, and our cat.

What is love? What is the call of love?

The Greek language used three primary words that are translated love in the English language. Two of these were used in the New Testament. One was used in Greek culture.

The first was Philos. This word denoted friendship or brotherly love. It is the general term for the affection of one person toward another. This would also be the term of affection toward something, such as – “I really love that restaurant!”. Our English word philanthropic is derived from this Greek Word.

The second term, which is not used in the New Testament, is Eros. This word denoted physical or sexual love. The Bible never uses this word to describe love. The Bible does speak frankly about romantic and sexual love but never in terms of Eros. Our English word erotic is derived from this Greek Word.

The third Greek word, the keyword in the New Testament text, is the word Agape. Agape is the word used to describe the love of God. It is not a love based on mere affection. It is not a love that is limited to human attraction. It is love that is shown in action. It is love that is shown in sacrifice. It is the love of God sending Jesus Christ to the world to die for our sins, in our place, so that we might be restored in fellowship with God through faith.

• “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

In contrast to the slogan that is present in the world today – “Love is not love!”

Phileo love is important and admirable – but it is not love. Eros love can either be something good within the marriage covenant or something destructive through sexual aberrations or addictions – but is it not love.

Love, God’s love, redemptive love, saving love, committed love, sacrificial love – is Agape Love!

This is the love that Paul calls us to be indebted to. It is the call to lay down our lives for the Lord Jesus Christ – and for others. It is the call to put other people and their needs before our own. It is the only debt that we are to carry with us through life. This love, Agape love, is the only love that fulfills all the righteous requirements of the law.

• “For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Agape love serves. Agape love sacrifices. Agape love gives. Agape love forgives. Agape love prays. Agape love speaks the truth. Agape love compels us to lead others to Jesus Christ!

God loved me so much that while I was still living as an enemy He died for me. I was not seeking Him. He sent His only begotten Son to seek for me. Jesus died in my place. Jesus took my sin. Jesus rescued me from darkness and placed me in His light. The love of God was poured out in my heart by the Holy Spirit. I have received a gift that I did not earn and that I can never repay.

So, I live, with a debt! Not a debt to earn my salvation. Not a debt to try and repay God for His gift of love and grace. I live with a debt to share the love that God has so freely given me. It is a debt that I carry with me joyfully and circumspectly. I do not take God’s gift of Agape love for granted.

The call of Agape love is a holy call. It is a call that one can only fulfill when they have become the recipient of this love through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not our love (phileo). It is God’s love (Agape) working in and through us. It is Christ in us the hope of glory. It is the love that compels us to pick up our cross and follow Jesus. It is the love that compels us to tell others about His great love!

• “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” II Corinthians 5:20-21

What’s love go to do with it? EVERYTHING!

Lord, grant me the grace to walk in Your Love, Agape Love, today! May Your Love transform my life and compel me to tell others about Jesus Christ. Help me to owe no man anything except to love them with the love that You have given me. Let me speak and live Your truth in the power of Your Love!

In Jesus Name!