Post # 28
In contrast to the previous post, “Why We Have War and Crime”, I shall turn my attention to ask What and Where is Love?
A working definition of love is outgoing concern. In this sense love is a verb – an attitude and an action. The Greeks have three words for love – Agape: godly (unconditional) love – Philia: brotherly love (the golden rule) – and Eros: male/female love.
Let’s consider Agape. God loves each one of us unconditionally and equally. Nothing can separate us from his love (Romans 8:35-39) – even though we may have no time for him and are living contrary to his will. If and when anyone sees the error of their ways, they will be welcomed with open arms and led to repentance and faith (Romans 2:4)(Repent and believe the gospel – Mark 1:14-15).
Brotherly love is an everpresent need for all mankind. All world religions have the Golden Rule in common and almost word for word – “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Also there are about 60 other principles that all religions share according to Jeffrey Moses in his book “Oneness: Great Principles Shared By All Religions”.
Being raised in the Christian religion, it is the one I can focus on. The puzzling question of how to begin to relate to others in a close personal relationship was aided by the findings of Dr Gary Chapman in his “Five Love Languages” book series. I hope you enjoy the brief description of each love language given there and look into one of his books that may interest you, if you haven’t already.
Love as outlined in the New Testament requires the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfill it; as per 1Corinthians chapter 13. The process of conversion begins as Peter said in Acts 2:38 “… Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”. John 15:12 says, “This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you”. This is a new and greater commandment than to love our neighbor as our own selves – and requires the Holy Spirit’s involvement to provide the unconditional love that is called for.
I believe the most likely reason that world religions have not shown the way to world peace, even though they possess the knowledge, is that most people don’t have the power of the Holy Spirit, who makes it possible to live by the principles of love and to deal peacefully with enemies.
