Thursday, September 14, 2023

Love that never fails!

 Love is the word we hear around the globe, and has a very intoxicating effect, and a common denominator in every kind of relationship, despite different cultures, races, ethnicity, and religious beliefs. Sometimes, it is very unfortunate, when someone claims they love someone else, that saying is ambiguous, enigmatic, opaque, puzzling, and obscure without much clarity. This is because understanding the meaning of love is hard!  Humanity, searches for love, and is an ongoing search in their hearts, and often it is searched in the wrong places. Let us search couple of Hebrew words for further understanding.

The Hebrew verb אהב (ahav, pronounced ah-HAV, with the final bet pronounced as a "v") is a Biblical Hebrew word meaning "to love." The noun form of this word is אהבה (ahavah, pronounced ah-ha-VAH) meaning "love." Ahav and ahavah cover a broad spectrum of concepts of love.[1]

The Hebrew word often translated “heart” is the word lev, לב. Although lev is frequently translated as “heart,” it should be rendered “mind.” This information is actually very important for accurate reading of many Biblical texts.[2]

"Heart" (Hebrew lebab/leb [b'bel], Gk. kardia [kardiva]) occurs over one thousand times in the Bible, making it the most common anthropological term in the Scripture. It denotes a person's centre for both physical and emotional-intellectual-moral activities; sometimes it is used figuratively for any inaccessible thing.[3]

Heart is the seat of all emotions, and we make choices, based on emotional intelligence. So the concept of the “heart” can be better understood as our inner person. The inner person: becomes the seat of  our mind (thought), emotions (feelings), and will (intentions); Prov. 4:23. Now, “soul” consists of mind, will, intellect and emotions. When we remember these concepts, it helps further in our understanding of what Scripture says about love below:

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres; 1 Coir. 13:4-7 (NIV).

These verses are self-explanatory: Love in otherwards goes beyond politeness, it is kind and is acting for the good of others even when it does not benefit ourselves. When apostle Paul was writing to the Corinthian church, it looks like envy was very active in the church. When we stop comparing ourselves with Christ (in which all of us fall short), and compare ourselves with others, it  becomes a fertile ground for envy to breed. One can envy on spiritual gifts, and also on financial and educational successes. Love is the greatest, because it is the attribute of God, 1 Jn. 4:8.  So, it is clear that love for one another must take precedent over getting our own way with regards to any gifts God has given for His children.

In the earthly ministry Jesus, moved with compassion, with all kinds of people, loved them unconditionally, taught them to love and honour others. He loved, Judas the betrayer, the sexual libertine the woman at the well, the conniving financial cheat Zacchaeus, the disciple Peter who denied him three times, and many more who were caught up in the downward spiral of bitterness, hatred, remorse, regrets, and caught up in sin. The perfect, sinless Saviour taught us to love others  despite their dire circumstances and taught us to love and honour our neighbours.

Place me as a seal over your heart, like a seal on your arm; for love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like mighty flame. Many waters cannot quench love; rivers cannot sweep it away. If one were to give all the wealth of one’s house for love, it would be utterly scorned; Song of Sol: 8:6-7. (Song of Solomon is also called Canticle of Canticles and Songs of Songs).

The picture of love painted in Song of Sol. 8:6-7; is: love is set as seal on the heart and arm. This belong to those who are willing to give up something for themselves (their wants) to another person who is also willing to give up something they want in return. The bond of love needs to be continuously nourished, cherished and regarded as permanent. It is permanent like death, so one must take care, how, where, and with whom this spark is ignited. Love is not a piece of merchandize and must be appreciated and not taken for granted.   

“Your love to Christ especially lacks the genuine stamp if it is never roused to jealousy by the malice of foes and the faithlessness of professed friends of our Lord. (Spurgeon)

 “The love on which a beautiful love is built is a persevering flame burning as brightly at the beginning as it does later on.” (Glickman)

In a “nutshell” as fallen human beings we are unable to love someone as they longed to be loved. This is because, no other human being is able to fill the void/ vacuum/ the spiritual ache/ longing to be loved, and longing for eternity which God has placed within us. We love because He loved us; 1 Jn. 4:19.

 



[1] Hebrew word for love: https://www.google.com/search?q=hebrew+word+for+love&rlz=1C1CHBD_enCA896CA910&oq=Hebrew+

[2] Is it heart or lev in Hebrew? Hebrew?https://www.google.com/search?q=heart+hebrew+word&rlz=1C1CHBD_enCA896CA910&oq=Heart+Hebrew+word&aqs

[3] What is the Bible term for the heart? https://www.google.com/search?q=heart+hebrew+word&rlz=1C1CHBD_enCA896CA910&oq=Heart+Hebrew+word&aq

 


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