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Love: Biblically Defined
by Daryl O’Neil
Most of the time when Love is discussed, 1 Corinthians chapter 13 is used. However, the passage of scripture I used to start my search for the answer is 1 John 4:8, God IS Love. In mathematics, the word IS means equal to. God=Love and Love=God.
Because of this truth, we must now see the truth of the nature of Love (God)… Deuteronomy 7:8-9 God forbade being joined to people who were not covenant keepers. Look at verses 1-4. He(God) is the faithful covenant keeping God! There are no real love relationships apart from covenant. From the beginning of all time, God has joined himself in (covenant) to men. The Kingdom of God functions best by covenant relationships. God, who is Love is the covenant keeping God! Lust does not keep covenant, it benefits itself at the expense of another with NO COMITTMENT!
Moses knew this when Jehovah God(Love) was about to destroy Israel in Exodus 32-33 when Moses asked to see his Glory (Exodus 33:18) I believe the Hebrew word for Glory is kabod, which means the full weight of His character/nature. So what Moses is given a look at is the attributes of what makes a covenant keeper,Moses sees love (God/Love). Here is another truth revealed by Holy Spirit to me. You cannot see LOVE/GOD until you are hidden in the Cleft of the Rock!!! In the New Testament, Christ is the Rock. This is the place Jehovah place Moses before revealing His full nature. Let me say it again, GOD IS LOVE. All other definitions must be measured by scripture. This is why so many relationships fail. This is why no unbeliever can truly offer anything but selfish love(lust) to those they pursue. The scriptures declare in Colossians 3:3, For ye are dead and your life hid with Christ in God! Sounds like THE ROCK to me.
What Moses sees in Exodus 34 is all that is necessary to have strong covenant relationships and it is what Holy Spirit is at work developing in all king/priests in our day. Exodus 34:6 mercy, graciousness (kindness), patience, truth,
forgiveness and justice.
For all have sinned a come short of GLORY (mercy, truth, patience, kindness, justice, forgiveness… These are all of the very things Christ the new covenant initiator functioned in when dealing with those He was around!!!! Jesus is the King/Priest model for us of covenant.
Without a full understanding of the ministry of the priest and their position of defenders of covenant, we will not understand WHY we are Kings and Priests unto God! Priestly ministry is love ministry.
I have a lot more to say on this matter but, I will pause for now. Don’t let Babylon define Love for you.
As an unmarried person you have an awesome opportunity to develop in your king/priest understanding of covenant to bless all who come into your sphere of influence.
