What is Love

Love in the context of marriage & for those dating or courting to marry
 

Love is not selfish and irrational, or uncontrollable passion. That's far from the biblical of love. 

According to Scripture, Love is a purposeful act of self giving. The one who genuinely loves is deliberately devoted to the one loved. True love arrives from the will, not blind emotion. 

Paul explained in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 
Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

That kind of love isnt an emotion or mere feeling that ebb and flow involuntarilly. All the attributes of love Paul lists involve the mind and volition. In other words, the love he describes is a thoughtful willing commitment. Also, notice genuine love doesnt seek it's own. That means if I truly love, im concerned not with having my desires filled, but with seeking the best for whoever is the object of my love. 

So the mark of true love is not unbridled desire or wild passion, it is a giving of oneself. Jesus underscored this when he told his Disciples, "Greater love has no one than this, that one lays down his life for his fridnds". John 15:13. 

Love is at the heart of God's Character.(1) 
It should be at the heart of ours too, especially towards our life partner, our spouse with whom we have a marriage covenant with, in Christ. Whether the spouse is saved or not. We are to live out the love of God, and in doing so show the Gospel, and shine Christ. 

"Love is humility in action, and leads to selfless service."(2)


Footnotes 
(1) Pastor John MacArthur, The God Who Loves, book 

(2) Pastor John MacArthur, sermon quote



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