Understanding The Essence Of True Love – 10 Qualities Of Godly Love, Vol. 2
At the beginning of the year 2020, we started talking about the ten qualities of godly love, and our previous title was “Understanding The Essence Of True Love – 10 Qualities Of Godly Love, Vol 1.”
In it, we talked about the source and essence of true love. And made mention that the essence of true love is the degree to which it can manifest love. We also highlighted the fact that Godly love is the highest degree of love as seen in loving its enemies. And encouraged children of God to manifest it to its highest degree so that they may be true children of their Father in heaven (Matthew 5:43-45).
Now, in this article, “Understanding The Essence Of True Love – 10 Qualities Of Godly Love, Vol. 2”, which is the second part of the same title, we shall not just continue from where we stopped, but shall also try to explicate and elucidate the ten Qualities Of Godly Love, all for your understanding and manifestation. Let’s continue!
2) Godly Love Is An ‘Action’ Love
The love of God is not passive but active. It’s always ready to do something good for someone. The Bible says God so loved the world that He gave. His giving was a positive act, an action that came as a result of His love. True love is manifested in giving. Giving to your loved ones and those who love you is good. But giving to your enemy could be quite a mountain to climb. It could be the greatest act of expression of love for that person.
It’s easy to give to those you love but to your enemies? It’s easy to give to those that would give back to you, but how about those who couldn’t? And Who wouldn’t? They wouldn’t, not because they don’t have, but because they don’t care about what you did! Would you resist giving to such people? What about giving to your spouse who just doesn’t care? Would you pick a fight? End your act of giving? even as a responsibility?
If your husband or wife is your enemy and hates you badly, remember that God’s greatest act of love is seen when He gave, not hoarding, not keeping to Himself, not limiting his love but fully giving. By the way, giving is not confined to tangible things. You can give your spouse your time, your empathy and compassion, your love and other intangible values that can bridge and strengthen relationships. Now you know. Go do it!
3) Godly Love Is The Greatest Gift Of Love
The Bible says that God gave His only-begotten Son. Meaning that He gave all He has. He gave unreservedly. All of a kind. All of its nature. All of its quality. There are many angels that are powerful, thousands upon thousands but God didn’t give from out of His abundance or reserve but the one and only available Son. It would have been good if He gave an angel or archangel to die for us.
Logically, that would have been the best thing to do. Because If an angel failed, another would replace him. But God took all the risk to give without reservation His one and only Son Jesus Christ. In Him, there was no option of failing. God had no option two, no plan B, but only Jesus Christ, given to you. It was as a result of His love that He gave the greatest gift ever. Jesus Christ is the greatest gift you could ever receive from God, and nothing else matters, nothing else is greater. Have you given your spouse your best Yet?
4) Godly Love Presents The Greatest Opportunity For A Come-Back
The Scriptures tell us that we all have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). But that God gave His Son so that anyone who believes shall not see death but have eternal life (John 3:16). God was being creative to present an opportunity for a come-back to whoever wants, to whoever believes.
You see, when it comes to whomever, the opportunity is open to all. It doesn’t matter your gender, male or female, you are part of the “whoever.” It doesn’t matter your social or financial status–poor or rich, big or small, kings and subjects– you all are part of the “whoever.”
It doesn’t matter your language, or skin color, You are part of the “whoever.” The opportunity is open to all who will come to God from all walks of life. That is the greatest opportunity for a comeback ever seen on the face of the earth.
How often do you create opportunities for reconciliation when you have problems with your spouse? Do you even make the first move towards your spouse at times of crisis? With the love of God in you, you can create opportunities to be, to meet, to talk, to love your wife again after a fall, after a misunderstanding. Don’t let your ego dictate when for a comeback but the love of God.
5) Godly Love Has The Capability To Love Whomever
The Bible again says that God so loved the world that He gave His only Son so that whoever believes in Him shall not see death. I just wanna highlight the “Whoever” right there. You see, the life of God has the capacity and capability to love “Whomever.” With the love of God in you, you can love the black, the Indian, the white, male or female without discrimination or prejudice.
The capacity to love your spouse is endless with godly love. May I, … can I make a statement here that may come to you as a surprise? With the love of God flowing within you and from you, you can fall in love and marry anybody from any race or tribe, from any age group, and that union shall succeed. You can make as a spouse from any race with the love of God in you. Period.
6) Godly Love Is The Greatest Attraction Of Love
The Bible says “In Him” not in someone else other than Jesus. It’s in Him–Jesus Christ. Jesus is the center of attraction in the whole creation of God. On earth and in heaven, He is. In heaven, all eyes look to the One who was slain. On earth, we look to the lamb that was slain. The creation awaits the revelation of the sons of God made possible by Jesus (Romans 8:19-20).
Jesus is the center of Christian life. Jesus is the center of the Christian doctrine. Jesus is the center of Christian theology. Jesus is the center of the Christian works. Jesus is the center of the Christian faith, etc. It’s all about Jesus, the greatest attraction of the love of God. Don’t let anyone fool you, whatever you are told to do or speak, if it’s not Christ-centered, be cautious because there’s must be an error somewhere. Life only comes from Jesus. When you believe in Jesus; when you have faith in Jesus. For it’s ‘whoever’ that believes in ‘Him’ shall be saved.
As a spouse, are you your partner’s greatest attraction? Both of you should be the center of attraction to each other. Yes, you should be your partner’s greatest attraction besides Jesus.
Maybe, you have to go back to your first love and to the drawing board to see what were the things that first caught your attention about your spouse. Begin to revisit, to reignite, to reinvigorate those things that were once your points of attraction but which are now dead. Give them life again!
7) Godly Love Promises And Fulfills
There’s a mighty promise attached to this love of God. For whoever that believes, it says he or she “should not perish.” And it’s always a fulfilled promise whenever someone comes to Christ. God has promised you life, not perdition; elevation, not condemnation.
John 3:17 says, “ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” God wants no one to perish.
Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” (Luke 19:10). God wants no one to perish. If He did, He would not be searching and seek for them. But He seeks because there’s a promise of deliverance. No, don’t be afraid for you shall not perish.
People are afraid of what will happen after death? They say, “what if I go to hell?” Oh, fear not! The Lord has promised you that you shall not perish if you believe in Jesus Christ as savior. That is the greatest promise ever: saving sinners. And God keeps His promises.
You as His children should be promise keepers too. You should honor the vows of your weddings. You should respect the words of your mouth and do as you said. Truly mean it when you say, “I love you.” And love because you said so.
Now tell us? How many promises to your spouse have you kept or broken in the past years? Don’t judge yourself, anyway! It’s never too late. You can change that and be a man or woman of your words.
To Read Part 1, Click Here. To Continue Reading Part 3 Click Here.
An Adapted Teaching By Reverend PC Akubueze, Used Under Permission For Smartcouple.net © 2020. All Rights Reserved.
Hi Bob, you’re quite a wise guy, indeed, to creatively imbibe the word of love into your life and home. Great effort!! In one word, continue.
Love can seem like a simple topic at times, at other times I don’t think I understand it at all.
So, what I did was go to 1 Corinthians 13. From that chapter I made a list of what God says it is and what it is not (verses 4-7).
As an example, when I’m impatient with someone I know that I’m not acting in love, and I know I need to change my attitude and behavior.
There are other places in the Bible that define what love is and what love is not. I actually wrote these things on a 3 X 5 card and pull it out and use it as a checklist against my attitude and behavior when I deal with difficult people.
I enjoyed reading your comment Earl, hahaha! Thanks for the input. Happy New Year!
This website offers abundant counsel and information for a variety of seminars, such as premarital relationships and dating as well as the marriage relationship as well. It makes clear that relationships are meant to take place in light of godliness, and godly love.
That kind of love and relationship observes the importance of communication, tolerance, and a willingness to be considerate and forgiving.
With this counsel and information, suggestions are given for materials that support them, even suggesting a mattress will offer restful sleep and good health. This information is much needed for very good reasons.
You couldn’t have said it better. I was glad to hear it blessed you too. Thanks for the contribution, Kell.
This is a nice article about understanding the essence of true love and you’ve taken the time to give in details what we should know.
Giving is one thing that people find it hard to do when they won’t see any benefits in doing so. They only give because they expect in return. But God’s case is different, He gave unconditionally His only Son because He loves us even while we’re yet sinners.
When we start experiencing the love of God, we will begin to see significant changes in our life.
You’ve really talked at length about God’s love and I’ve learnt things.
Great post.
Thanks, Juan for that insightful comment. I was glad to have you come by. Happy New year.
Forgiveness comes with redemption, or is it backward?
Humanity knows love just because of the portion of God within us. We need to allow God (Jesus Christ) to live more and more within us. Galatians 2:20 “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”
Getting in love is a matter of 3 (as God should be present to get a successful and sustainable relation).
Love is not a piece of art to admire but a seed capable of becoming into a millenary tree that would overcome our own lives (if cultivated and fed with litter caring actions on a daily basis).
It’s what we do, Dave. So appreciate your remarks. Thank you for commenting. I wish you the very best. Happy new year.
Understanding the essence of true love is a subject near and dear to my heart and the 10 qualities of a Godly love that you have listed are all so important I think. True love is much deeper than many people seem to understand, and your article helps lay that out clearly.
The points you bring up and expand on really help readers like me to understand the nuances of a love that can last through ay trial or tribulation, and it does take two to make that happen. Therefore, I have asked my wife to read through this post and the related first post so we can discuss…
This is a great way to start the year out and I thank you for your efforts in putting this article (and the last one) together. It will no doubt help a lot of people gain a better understanding of the concept of what love is and can be. I know that I am ready to explore this further.
You’re correct, Lee. “He is the one and only embodiment of all the things you have shared in this post.” What could be better? thanks, Lee!
Yes, Godly love is manifested in action and specifically in the action of giving to others the things they need most even if it means that you have to make large sacrifices. It isn’t to easy to love those who are unlovable or selfish but this is what Godly love calls for. All your points about Godly love are so rich. I really appreciate how you talk about Jesus being the center. He is the one and only embodiment of all the things you have shared in this post.
Quite a blessing hearing from you, Paul. I wish you the very best in your relationship.
Hi Charles,
Thanks a lot for the informative and helpful post.
Being a follower of Christ your post means a lot to me and the verses you quoted for reference is very helpful. Your post helped me to do a self evaluation on my marriage life and I learned a lot of valuable information. Also, from your post I am able to see those areas where I need to improve.
Your article certainly made me think more on the subject and thank you for this elaborated write up. I am going to share your post with my wife.
For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her. – Ephesians 5:25
I will implement what I learned from your post. Great information, you have really given a lot of value here.
Hello Biizy, thanks for commenting. Glad you came by.
Hi Charles. Thank you for sharing this post on understanding the essence of true love. The second part of 10 qualities of godly love. I have heard that true love is giving and of course not giving with the intention of getting back even in an ungodly way for that matter. God gave us his son for our own good and not for His own good and benefits. That’s how we should love. I am really intrigued by the compatibility of godly love and the intentions of godly love.
Regards!