1 Corinthians 13:4–8a (ESV)

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist
on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with
the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love
never ends.

Discussion
Love is the common denominator in how we relate—to God, to others, or to ourselves. As
followers of Christ, love is our trademark.

Love is a tricky word. It’s most often understood as an intense feeling of deep affection.
Biblically, love has a much deeper and richer meaning; it transcends a feeling or emotion. This is
what we see in 1 Corinthians 13. Paul tells us that love isn’t merely a feeling but a way of
relating to others.

While most of us are fairly familiar with 1 Corinthians 13, slowing down to read it empowers us
to enjoy subtle beauties we may otherwise miss. In this timeless passage on love, Paul uses
poetic symmetry to deepen his point. He lists eight things love embraces and eight things love
resists.

In these verses, Paul instructs us about what we need to hold close and what we need to let go.
He empowers us with a framework to respond to any situation in love. Sometimes we will need
to do things that are out of our comfort zone; sometimes we will need to not do things that feel
natural to us. In both situations, love empowers us to respond beyond our feelings so we may
impart life to others.

We can begin by putting these into practice with those closest to us, our family. Although as
Christians, we don’t stop there. As outlined in 1 Corinthians, we’re called to love everyone God
brings into our lives. As I write this, we’re experiencing extremely anxious and unsetting times
as a deadly virus spreads throughout the world. It’s easy for fear to take hold and control our
thoughts, emotions, and actions. The good news of the Gospel is that we have a remedy for fear
—courageous love (1 John 4:18). We have experienced this love personally, and now we have
the opportunity to share it with others.
So how can we live this out?

When quarantines are lifted, and people are able to resume typical schedules, many people are
going to need help. When a family is in crisis, kids can become vulnerable to neglect and,
unfortunately, abuse. At Bethany we believe no family should experience this. Through the Safe
Families for Children ministry, volunteer Host Families offer loving care to parents, watching
over their children and providing compassionate community to their entire family while parents
regain stability. Our Host Families demonstrate the courageous love of Jesus to families in their
moment of need.
Learn more about becoming a Host Family.

Deeper Engagement
Choose one item from each list above (embrace and resist) and make a plan to put it into
practice.
What actions can you take to love those closest to you?
How can you love your neighbor by practicing these responses?

Prayer
Father, thank You for the courageous love You’ve expressed to me through Christ. Thank You
for the patience, kindness, and perseverance You embrace me with each day. As I celebrate Your
goodness in my life, I pray You would also use me as an instrument of goodness in the lives of
others. Open my heart and mind to ways I can demonstrate the love and compassion of Christ to
those nearby, in my community, and around the world. Amen.

Part 2

What is a spiritual love? How does spirituality come into play in relationships?
Highlights
Spiritual love can refer to love rooted in a spiritual connection that helps us find meaning and
purpose in our lives.
These spiritual loves can serve different purposes: Some are meant to walk with us through life,
while others are meant to teach us lessons.
Sometimes their purpose isn’t obvious right away; that said, our spirituality can help us better
understand our relationships.
In fact, our spirituality has a heavy influence on all of our relationships, whether we set aside
time for engaging in spiritual practices or not.
Ultimately, spirituality connects us to something bigger than ourselves, and furthers or stunts our
relationships with others based on our spiritual connection.
Spiritual Purposes in Relationships: Life Blessings and Life Lessons
What is a spiritual love? As with many questions about our spirituality, there isn’t one definition
or example of a spiritual love. That said, spiritual love can refer to a love that is rooted in or
supported by a deep spiritual connection that helps us find meaning in life. Sometimes these
spiritual loves are meant to last, and sometimes they’re meant to merely guide us in the right
direction and then leave us to it. Dr. Alise Holland explains: “People come into our lives for
either life blessings or life lessons. When partners are connected to their spirituality, then they
can identify the purpose of a relationship.”

Life blessings: What exactly does Holland mean when she says people come into our lives to
serve as life blessings? They complement and further our efforts in building a meaningful life.
“For instance, individuals may come together to raise children or create something for
humanity.”
Life lessons: Others enter our lives to teach us important life lessons that support healthy growth
and development. “When one or the other partner has life lessons to work on that the soul needs
to learn that involve healing childhood emotional issues such as abandonment, rejection, or
personal power issues, then he or she attracts the perfect soulmate to help him or her grow
spiritually.”
So, how can we determine a partner’s purpose? Sometimes, their purpose isn’t revealed until
later in the relationship. That said, as Holland prefaced, when we take the time to connect to our
spiritual selves—to meditate, spend time in nature, surrender to art, worship our religion, or tap
into our spirituality in another way—the answers become clear.

What If a Relationship Lacks Spiritual Connection?

Remember, spirituality is connecting to something bigger than ourselves. It’s practicing peace
and purpose, which might involve asking ourselves questions like, “How can I find fulfillment?”
and, “How can I live the best life possible?” While some people connect to their spiritual selves
by turning to their religion, and others find it in nature or art, our spirituality often has a heavy
influence on every area of life. Therefore, our spirituality or lack thereof can have an impact on
our relationships. Holland explains:

“A lack of spirituality can harm relationships because individuals may not understand who they
are fully. Therefore, if they are not aware of their life purpose, then they may select partners who
are not in support of their life purpose. For instance, individuals who are working toward
entrepreneurship need to make sure that they are connecting with others who are community
helpers and have a heart to serve and a passion to be a beacon of light for others. If they do not
select a partner who has a complementary or shared interest, then there will be conflict regarding
their choices resulting in communication breakdown and other negativity that will impede the
progress of the relationship, as well as impact their lives.”

Maintaining the Quality and Longevity of Your Relationships

We’ve answered two important questions: “What is spiritual love?” and, “How does spirituality
come into play in relationships?” To recap, spiritual love simply refers to a love rooted and
supported by a spiritual connection. Furthermore, our spirituality can help us understand why
someone has entered our life, whether it’s to assist our efforts in creating a meaningful life or to
teach us an important lesson that supports our growth. Finally, if a relationship lacks a spiritual
connection—whether it’s one-sided or two-sided—the relationship might suffer. Therefore, it’s
important to tune into our spiritual selves in order to maintain the quality and longevity of our
relationships.

Part 3

What does the Bible say about love? In short, A LOT.

Love is a central theme in the Bible and is a primary attribute of God. But we often fail to see the
true beauty and depth of what God’s Word is communicating. Our language only has 1 word for
love, whereas there are 4 types of love in the Bible (Philia, Eros, Storge, and Agape).

These 4 unique forms of love found in Scripture show us both what God has done for us and how
we show love to those around us.
In this blog post we are going to look at what the Bible says about love and then we will break
down each of the 4 types of love in the Bible.

What Does The Bible Say About Love?

There’s far too many Bible verses about love to break down in a single blog post. What we are
going to do is look at some of the highlights so that we can understand what the Bible is
communicating to us today.

If you want to read more Bible verses about love you can check out this list: Bible Verses About
Love

Bible Verses About Love

What does the Bible say about love
Here’s some of the highlights about love in the Bible:

From the beginning the precedent is set about God’s faithfulness and love. (Deuteronomy 7:9)
God commands his people love their neighbors. (Leviticus 19:18)
Song Of Solomon centers around the love between a husband and a wife. (Song Of Solomon 8:6-
7)
Proverbs talks about the healing qualities of love. (Proverbs 17:9)
David praises God for his steadfast love throughout the Psalms. (Psalm 86:15)
John 3:16 is one of the most famous verses in the Bible and centers around God’s love for us.
Paul beautifully illustrates the attributes of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
Jesus gives a new commandment to love each other. (John 13:34)
Jesus teaches that the marker for a Christian’s life is how we love each other. (John 13:35)
God is love. (1 John 4:8)
We aren’t to just love those easy to love, but also our enemies. (Matthew 5:43-48)
Love must be the center of all we do. (1 Corinthians 13:1)
The greatest commandment is to love God and love those around us. (Matthew 22:36-40)
This is only a small sampling of the Bible verses that talk about love, but I think this gives us an
overview of this topic.

What Is Love According To The Bible

If I could sum up what the Bible teaches us about love it’s that God loves us and in response we
are to love God AND love those around us. Our love for God is shown by keeping his
commandments and loving our neighbors.

Our culture has a skewed view of love. Loving someone means that you accept them and never
critique them. Love is something that is earned in our culture. We love those who love us. But
our enemies? They don’t deserve love.

The Bible teaches us a different way to love. Love is about doing what is best for the person, not
always what’s easiest. The Bible challenges us to not only love our friends, but also our enemies.
Our love must extend to those who do not deserve it.

This is what Jesus modeled. He never shied away from telling the truth, even when it hurt. Nor
did he ever lack extending love and grace. It was love that motivated him. And the same should
be true for his followers today.

Here’s the way I would sum up how we can apply this to our life in our interactions with others.

Because I love you, I must show you grace.

Because I love you, I must tell you the truth.
You can’t do one without the other. That’s what love according to the Bible teaches us. God has
shown us endless love and grace, and he continually tells us the truth. We are to do the same for
those around us.
4 Types Of Love In The Bible
Now that we know what love is according to the Bible, I want to switch gears to look at the 4
types of love in the Bible.

These 4 words are found in the New Testament and each are Greek words that illustrate a
different aspect of love.

Philia – Brotherly Love

Philia (φιλία) = friendship

You might recognize this word. It’s where the city of brotherly love gets its name, Philadelphia.
Philia is the kind of love found in friendships. This Greek word describes the powerful bond
among friends.

Philia is the most general type of love found in the Bible and is used to show how Christians
should interact with one another. It’s Philia love that Jesus said should be the marker for his
followers’ lives (John 13:35). The church should be known for this kind of love that centers
around care, respect, compassion, and deep connections among each other.

Eros – Sensual or Romantic Love

Eros (ἐρεῶ)= sensual or romantic love

Eros originated from the mythological Greek god of love and sexual desire. And it’s where we
get our English word erotic.

The Bible takes this Greek word and applies to the relationship between a husband and wife.
Promiscuity was rampant in Bible times, just as it is today, and the Bible continually reserves
eros love for marriage.

This is what Paul is referring to in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9; he’s warning young believers to follow
God’s plan for eros love. Within the boundaries of marriage this kind of love is to be celebrated
and enjoyed as a blessing form God. But outside God’s design much harm can be done.
For more check out: What Does The Bible Say About Sex? (4 surprising truths)

Storge – Familial Love

Storge (storgē) = Love for family

This term for love is one that most are unfamiliar with. This Greek word describes the love
family members have for one another.

This kind of love mostly happens naturally. A parent can’t help but love their child and a child’s
bond to their parents happen without effort. It’s a special and unique kind of family love.

Romans 12:10 presents an interesting combination of storge and philia in which Paul commands
the church to practice familiar love within the church. In other words, we are to have that
familiar love with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Followers of Jesus are part of God’s family; we are knit together not by blood but by Spirit.
Therefore we should love with each other with deep affection of storge love.

Agape – Unconditional Love

Agape (ἀγάπη) = Perfect/unconditional love

Agape is the most well-known of the 4 types of love in the Bible and is also the highest form of
love. This is a divine kind of love that can only come from God. This word shows God’s
immeasurable and incomprehensible love for us.

John 3:16 shows us how Jesus perfectly encapsulates agape love. God loves us because it’s who
he is. It’s all he can do. And it’s this perfect love that saves us.

Agape love is found perfectly in Jesus. But with the help of the Holy Spirit we can experience
and show this kind of love.
Closing Thoughts About Love In The Bible
Love is one of the most powerful emotions a person can experience. And the Bible talks at length
about it. The above 4 types of love in the Bible show us the beauty and depth that encompasses
so many aspects of our life.

The central message about love in the Bible is God’s love for us. His perfect love doesn’t wane.
It’s not tied to our obedience, and it is where our hope is found. While the love we find in our
families, spouses, and friends are good gifts from God, they all fall short. But God’s love will
never fail us.

Throughout the Bible we see God’s love displayed and are invited to accept it. It’s through his
love that we are transformed. For followers of Jesus we are made new and now our call is to do
the same for those around us. We are to love others in the same way that we have been loved.

The Bible doesn’t just teach us about God’s love, it challenges us to live in light of what he has
done for us. Take some time to reflect on God’s love for you. And ask yourself if are extending
the same love to those around you.

According to Greek philosophy, here are the 7 different kinds of love:

Eros – Romantic, Passionate Love (Of the Body) ...
Philia – Affectionate, Friendly Love. ...
Storge – Unconditional, Familial Love. ...
Agape – Selfless, Universal Love. ...
Ludus – Playful, Flirtatious Love. ...
Pragma – Committed, Long-Lasting Love. ...
Philautia – Self Love.

What Jesus said about love?

Throughout His earthly ministry, Jesus showed His love for others by blessing and serving the
poor, the sick, and the distressed. He told His disciples, “This is my commandment, That ye love
one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:12; see also John 13:34–35; Moroni 7:46–48).

What are the Four Elements of True Love?

Loving-kindness (maitri) – the desire to offer happiness,
Compassion (karuna) – the desire to remove suffering from the other person,
Joy (mudita) – the desire to bring joy to people around you, and.
Equanimity (upeksha) – the desire to accept everything and not to discriminate.

What are the characteristics of love in the Bible?

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is
not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in
evil but rejoices witThankfulness is an Expression of Love
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God
rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. (Colossians 3:14-
15)

Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His
people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts
with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is
everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations. (Psalms 100:3-5)

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in
Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

(Psalms 26:6-8) I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O LORD, {7}
That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works. {8}
LORD, I have loved the habitation of Your house, And the place where Your glory dwells.

(Psalms 30:2-5) O LORD my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me. {3} O LORD, You
brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
{4} Sing praise to the LORD, You saints of His, And give thanks at the remembrance of His
holy name. {5} For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for
a night, But joy comes in the morning.

(Psalms 50:14-15) Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High. {15} Call
upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”

(Psalms 69:29-34) But I am poor and sorrowful; Let Your salvation, O God, set me up on high.
{30} I will praise the name of God with a song, And will magnify Him with thanksgiving. {31}
This also shall please the LORD better than an ox or bull, Which has horns and hooves. {32}
The humble shall see this and be glad; And you who seek God, your hearts shall live. {33} For
the LORD hears the poor, And does not despise His prisoners. {34} Let heaven and earth praise
Him, The seas and everything that moves in them.

(Psalms 79:13) So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture, Will give You thanks forever;
We will show forth Your praise to all generations.

(Psalms 92:1-4) It is good to give thanks to the LORD, And to sing praises to Your name, O
Most High; {2} To declare Your lovingkindness in the morning, And Your faithfulness every
night, {3} On an instrument of ten strings, On the lute, And on the harp, With harmonious sound.
{4} For You, LORD, have made me glad through Your work; I will triumph in the works of
Your hands.

(Psalms 95:2-7) Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; Let us shout joyfully to
Him with psalms. {3} For the LORD is the great God, And the great King above all gods. {4} In
His hand are the deep places of the earth; The heights of the hills are His also. {5} The sea is
His, for He made it; And His hands formed the dry land. {6} Oh come, let us worship and bow
down; Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker. {7} For He is our God, And we are the people
of His pasture, And the sheep of His hand. Today, if you will hear His voice:

(Psalms 97:9-12) For You, LORD, are most high above all the earth; You are exalted far above
all gods. {10} You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He
delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. {11} Light is sown for the righteous, And gladness
for the upright in heart. {12} Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous, And give thanks at the
remembrance of His holy name.
(Psalms 100:3-5) Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we
ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. {4} Enter into His gates with
thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. {5} For
the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations.

(Psalms 105:1-3) Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds
among the peoples! {2} Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! {3}
Glory in His holy name; Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!

(Psalms 107:1-2) Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.
{2} Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,

(Psalms 107:13-15) Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of
their distresses. {14} He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their
chains in pieces. {15} Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for
His wonderful works to the children of men!

(Psalms 107:19-22) Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of
their distresses. {20} He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their
destructions. {21} Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His
wonderful works to the children of men! {22} Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving,
And declare His works with rejoicing.

(Psalms 107:28-31) Then they cry out to the LORD in their trouble, And He brings them out of
their distresses. {29} He calms the storm, So that its waves are still. {30} Then they are glad
because they are quiet; So He guides them to their desired haven. {31} Oh, that men would give
thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

(Psalms 116:12-17) What shall I render to the LORD For all His benefits toward me? {13} I will
take up the cup of salvation, And call upon the name of the LORD. {14} I will pay my vows to
the LORD Now in the presence of all His people. {15} Precious in the sight of the LORD Is the
death of His saints. {16} O LORD, truly I am Your servant; I am Your servant, the son of Your
maidservant; You have loosed my bonds. {17} I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving,
And will call upon the name of the LORD.
(Daniel 2:20-23) Daniel answered and said: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For
wisdom and might are His. {21} And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings
and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise And knowledge to those who have
understanding. {22} He reveals deep and secret things; He knows what is in the darkness, And
light dwells with Him. {23} “I thank You and praise You, O God of my fathers; You have given
me wisdom and might, And have now made known to me what we asked of You, For You have
made known to us the king’s demand.”

(Daniel 6:10) Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his
upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times
that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

(Jonah 2:7-10) “When my soul fainted within me, I remembered the LORD; And my prayer went
up to You, Into Your holy temple. {8} “Those who regard worthless idols Forsake their own
Mercy. {9} But I will sacrifice to You With the voice of thanksgiving; I will pay what I have
vowed. Salvation is of the LORD.” {10} So the LORD spoke to the fish, and it vomited Jonah
onto dry land.

(Matthew 11:25-26) At that time Jesus answered and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven
and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them
to babes. {26} “Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.

(Matthew 26:26-28) And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it
to the disciples and said, “Take, eat; this is My body.” {27} Then He took the cup, and gave
thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. {28} “For this is My blood of the
new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

(Mark 8:6) So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven
loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they
set them before the multitude.

(Luke 17:15-19) And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud
voice glorified God, {16} and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a
Samaritan. {17} So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the
nine? {18} “Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?”
{19} And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”
(John 11:40-41) Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see
the glory of God?” {41} Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was
lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me.

(Romans 1:20-21) For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen,
being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they
are without excuse, {21} because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor
were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

(1 Corinthians 15:56-57) The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. {57} But
thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(2 Corinthians 2:14) Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and
through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place.

(Ephesians 5:1-4) Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. {2} And walk in love, as
Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-
smelling aroma. {3} But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be
named among you, as is fitting for saints; {4} neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse
jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.

(Ephesians 5:18-21) And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with
the Spirit, {19} speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
making melody in your heart to the Lord, {20} giving thanks always for all things to God the
Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, {21} submitting to one another in the fear of God.

(Philippians 4:4-7) Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! {5} Let your gentleness
be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. {6} Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by
prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; {7} and the
peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus.
(Colossians 2:6-7) As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, {7}
rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it
with thanksgiving.

(Colossians 3:12-17) Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies,
kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; {13} bearing with one another, and forgiving one
another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must
do. {14} But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. {15} And let the
peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
{16} Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one
another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
{17} And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God the Father through Him.

(1 Thessalonians 5:15-19) See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue
what is good both for yourselves and for all. {16} Rejoice always, {17} pray without ceasing,
{18} in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. {19} Do not
quench the Spirit.

(1 Timothy 2:1-4) Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and
giving of thanks be made for all men, {2} for kings and all who are in authority, that we may
lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. {3} For this is good and acceptable
in the sight of God our Savior, {4} who desires all men to be saved and to come to the
knowledge of the truth.

(Hebrews 13:14-15) For here we have no continuing city, but we seek the one to come. {15}
Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our
lips, giving thanks to His name.

(Revelation 4:9-11) Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who
sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, {10} the twenty-four elders fall down before Him
who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before
the throne, saying: {11} “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For
You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.”

(Revelation 7:9-12) After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one
could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before
the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, {10} and crying out with
a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
{11} All the angels stood around the throne and the elders and the four living creatures, and fell
on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, {12} saying: “Amen! Blessing and glory
and wisdom, Thanksgiving and honor and power and might, Be to our God forever and ever.
Amen.”

(Revelation 11:15-17) Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven,
saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ,
and He shall reign forever and ever!” {16} And the twenty-four elders who sat before God on
their thrones fell on their faces and worshiped God, {17} saying: “We give You thanks, O Lord
God Almighty, The One who is and who was and who is to come, Because You have taken Your
great power and reigned.h the truth

forgiveness
Love has no grudges, is hard to offend and forgives! “For if you forgive other people when they
sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their
sins, your Father will not forgive your sins (Matthew 6:14-15). Prayer
WHY FORGIVENESS IS NECESSARY WHEN IT COMES TO LOVE
BY JEANNIE ASSIMOS - FEBRUARY 25, 2015
We’ve all heard the saying “forgive and forget,” but how many of us truly know what this means
or how to do it? Forgiveness involves engaging with a complex series of emotions – anger, pain,
frustration, and fear – which most of us try to avoid.

Unfortunately, we can’t escape these feelings in life, at least not for long. Chances are, you have
been hurt in the past, and you have experienced anger, pain, frustration, and fear. All of these
emotions have shaped your current perception of the world, along with the decisions you make,
your health, your attitude – nearly every aspect of your life.

The real question is – to what extent have you let these negative emotions go?

Forgiveness is not easy. It’s not a benevolent gesture to be bestowed on someone who has
wronged you, to free him from guilt. It’s not about him at all. Instead, it’s an active, challenging
internal process that is specifically to help you. It is a shedding of those negative emotions that
hold you back, that prevent you from feeling peace, happiness, and even love.

Let’s take an example. Do you have an ex who cheated on you or somehow blindsided you? Did
you have to give up on your idea of what the relationship was – and the life you thought you’d
have together? Now think about how you dealt with the pain. Did you allow yourself to grieve,
or did you emotionally attack your ex in anger? Or did you hold the pain inside of you, forcing
yourself to internalize your hurt and carry on?

When you hold on to negative emotions like these, they manifest in your psyche. Over time, you
don’t trust men (or women), and have sabotaged recent relationships trying to achieve some sort
of guarantee that you wouldn’t get hurt again. Or maybe you have numbed yourself, hiding
behind a string of casual relationships that never quite satisfy you. Either way, there is a common
link here. You have become so wrapped up in the injustice of the past that you can’t live in the
present. Perhaps you’ve become depressed and anxious, or you can’t help but look at the world
as a frightening place that needs to be controlled, because it will only let you down.

Maybe it’s time to let go of the baggage you are carrying. Maybe it’s time you considered
forgiveness.

Forgiveness has nothing to do with justice, or denying your own pain and the other person’s
responsibility in hurting you. Rather, it’s a choice to help yourself – to release the emotional
prison you’ve constructed that is no longer serving you and is in fact, keeping love out.
Forgiveness is ultimately an act of love for yourself – to allow you to feel peace, joy, and love
again.

Forgiveness not only helps heal your emotional scars, but physical ones, too. The Mayo Clinic
looks at the health implications of letting go of grudges, resentments, and pain, which they say
leads to:

Healthier relationships
Greater spiritual and psychological well-being
Less anxiety, stress, and hostility
Lower blood pressure
Fewer symptoms of depression
A stronger immune system
Improved heart health
Higher self-esteem
As you forgive and let go, your life will no longer be defined by your pain. Instead, you’ll have
greater compassion and understanding towards others. As I say in my book, Date Expectations,
your perspective changes because you have changed.

If you aren’t ready to forgive your ex, start with more manageable goals, like forgiving the guy
who cuts you off on the highway or your neighbor who had the loud party last night. When you
are able to forgive and let go of the small things, you’ll be better prepared to let go of what’s
really hurting you, like your ex’s betrayal.

Forgiveness is a process, so be kind to yourself along the way. The more you work towards
compassion for others, the more prepared you’ll be to allow forgiveness to work its magic in
your life.

About the Author:

Kelly Seal is a writer, award-winning dating blogger and author of the new book Date
Expectations: A Guide to Changing Your Dating Life and Finding Real Love. Her musings can
be seen on Slate, The Huffington Post, eHarmony Advice, Yahoo! Shine, and YourTango among
many others.

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TO LOVE IS TO OBEY
December 8, 2020 | John 14:23–31DEVOTIONS
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Do you believe that being a Christian means denying yourself? While this is a basic biblical truth
about discipleship, a recent survey revealed that only 36 percent of churchgoers “strongly
agreed” with it. Nineteen percent actually “disagreed.” What we may choose to forget is that
biblical obedience means putting God first, above our own selfish desires.

Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.

JOHN 14:23
Jesus taught that to love God means to obey Him (vv. 23–24). We may think of “obey” as a cold,
dutiful verb, preferring “love” which feels warm and pleasant. But our Lord wove them together.
Words or feelings are meaningless without actions to back them up. Obedience is the “proof of
the pudding,” as a previous generation would have said. Now we might say, “Walk the talk,” or
perhaps “Keep it 100.”

As in the previous chapter (see yesterday’s devotional), Jesus warned the disciples of His
imminent departure (vv. 25–27). But He wasn’t leaving them alone. He would send the Holy
Spirit, who would help them remember His teachings. It’s implied that the Spirit would also help
them obey those teachings. That’s good because the kind of love and obedience Jesus described
is beyond human ability. He promised them the gift of His peace, a divine sense of spiritual well-
being that would stand against their natural fears and anxieties.

Jesus said the disciples should not be sad about His departure, but joyful (vv. 28–31). Why?
Because it would mark the completion of His redemptive mission. Although it might have felt
like these events were engineered by “the prince of this world,” Satan, everything happened by
the Father’s will and Jesus’ choice (v. 30). Christ’s example of love and obedience now enables
our own. That is a reason to rejoice!
>> What about you? Take time to consider the spiritual truths of Christlike obedience and self-
denial by meditating on John 12:23–26. Jesus used the object lesson of a seed to illustrate this
important truth.

What does it mean to love and obey?

Love Means Obedience. Love means obedience. Somehow the word obedience has come to have
a negative connotation, but that's just not true in the Bible. Conversely, In the Bible, obedience is
the flip-side of love; It's the expression of love. In several places, Jesus says, “if you love me you
will obey what I command.