We oftentimes speak about love and we attach our varied definition to this four-letter word often professed by our peers, family, friends, and most relatable, our significant other.
Do we ever take the time and really think about what love means?
What is love? How does love feel? How do I know that someone really loves me? How do I express my love to others?
Psychologists say love comes in five main love languages: Words of Affirmation, Acts of Service, Receiving Gifts, Quality Time and Physical Touch.
On the other hand, Christians say love comes from God with seven laws.
But what do you say?
What is your verdict?
Seven Different Laws of Love
As a child, my parents would be the dichotomy of expressive love. My mother was open with sharing and vocalizing these words, but my father was a sealed tin.
At times I would question his love as my earthly father, but it takes me back to my heavenly father who continuously shows me love and teaches me how to act in all seven laws of love:
1. Love Requires COMMITMENT
Commitment is heavy work for most of us; it certainly is for me. Commitment means responsibility, loyalty and devotion.
You are now devoted to the persons we love whether it is to follow behind our depressed mother-in-law – Ruth – like Naomi did (Ruth chapter 1, verses 8-17) or torch our life’s assets and prepare a feast to follow God wholeheartedly like Elijah did (1 Kings chapter, 19 verses19-20).
A bit extreme, right? But this goes to show that if you love someone or even God, you have to be committed to the relationship through thick and thin, good times and bad times.
2. Love Selflessly SACRIFICES
(St. John chapter 3, verse 16) posits “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son...” This sacrifice is the epitome of unconditional love. Selfless love that cannot be bought or stolen away from anyone.
Now I’m not saying you should kill yourself for anyone; no, that’s crazy!
However, I encourage you to look beyond the myopic view that whatsoever we do is too much, because it is little compared to the nails which pierced his sides.
3. Love Speaks TRUTH
The Father of Lies would want us to live in darkness and cleave to the dungeon of secrecy.
But our heavenly Father, God, reflects words that are “...true...honest...just...pure...{and} of good report,” (Philippians chapter 4, verse 8). He is “the way, the truth, and the life,” (St. John chapter 14, verse 6).
In outpouring the truth, consisting of removing the façade and embracing the flaws, it demolishes the enemy of intimacy which is Secrecy.
“But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ,” (Ephesians chapter 4, verse 15). An open problem fosters healing, whilst a hidden problem veils the obliviousness to a necessity fixture.
4. Love Conquers FEAR
The ogre has entered the chat! The tyrant that traps us from operating in the spirit “...of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy chapter 1, verse 7).
Courage isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the presence of love in the face of fear. You have to be courageous in exercising love. You ought not to worry heavily about betrayal, heartbreak or deception; because “there is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love,” (1 John chapter 4, verse 18).
5. Love Offers GRACE
As humans, we wish not to be betrayed and used by other humans whom we trust and love. However, if Jesus did it so can you!
Peter denied Jesus thrice and Jesus returns even after and questioned Peter’s love for him with the same question asked thrice (see: St. Matthew chapter 26, verses 69-75; St. John chapter 21, verses 15-18 respectively). This is no coincidence and as such, Jesus’ grace and love for Peter were able to “...cover a multitude of sins,” (1 Peter chapter 4, verse 8). Not only did Jesus forgive Peter, but he endowed trust within him to go feed his sheep.
In the oubliette of vulnerability, remember to offer forgiveness to those who have offended you or betray you because love makes a way for healing.
6. Love Brings HEALING
These offenses oftentimes infiltrate wounds which may hinder us from ever considering that we can ever be loved again or if we are worthy of love. Jesus reminds us that he is Jehovah Rapha.
Jesus heals the woman with the issue of blood, not only physically, but also, relationally and emotionally. After being ostracised for years, Jesus’ love through referring to her as “daughter” (St. Mark chapter 5, verse 34) reminded her that she is apart of God’s family that is tiered by an abundance of love.
Healing comes through love.
7. Love Lives FOREVER
Watching the highlights of the outcome of a game is like knowing that we won already – whether or not the devil scores a point.
“And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love,” (1 Corinthians chapter 13, verse 13).
Love should be epitomized in all 7 dimensions to God and our brothers and sisters here on earth because, despite everything, love suffers long.
Love is patient. Love is kind.
Anneque Bennett is a vying, industrious, persistent and gallant young virtuous woman of God from Jamaica, West Indies. Her dexterity births creativity cocooned by flexibility. She possesses an eye for complexity and a magnitude of focus to complete tasks and assist others in every possible way. She loves to communicate and interact with youths on different levels and share in their experiences and serves as a mentor and youth empowerment leader. She engages heavily in promoting and marketing different products: where she also serves as a host/emcee and at times, public speaker. She finds outdoor very amusing and love to bask in nature as she puts pen to paper. She enjoys road trips, hiking and documenting each moment through fun pictures and videos and her best friend – a purple journal. #Adventure