The Essence of Love

Love. That lovely word that people love to say. 

"I love you" is a very commonly used phrase that you hear, read, type/write but is not so commonly said. Why? 

Well here are few reasons:

Fear of rejection. 

 Not having it said back to you.

It's like a promise that has a big meaning.

Because those are very strong words. You don't just throw that around, you have to sincerely mean it. It should only be easy to say it if you really mean it.

If somebody was not brought up hearing it at all or very often, then it might be hard for them to say it. So maybe you should start saying it more so the cycle doesn't continue this way? Kids and family especially need to hear it.

It's not . . . if you're with the right person or people but only use it if you mean it. Follow the quote, "mean what you say, and say what you mean". Also, "actions speak louder than words" so if you're "saying" you love them by showing them in what you do for them that you truly do love them it will be doubly powerful. Make it clear that you love them and not leave them guessing or doubting.

 

Most of the time it's hard to the opposite gender because it isn't love anyway it's lust. We must understand that love is an action not a feeling. When we are honest with ourselves we know that we don't love the person, we might be fond of them, care about them, but not love them in the romantic sense of the word.

  Because to tell someone you love them you have to understand them first. To love someone you have to love all of them not only the good parts. Love is for life not just for when things are going right. Before I tell anyone I love them I have to get to know them very well and then it takes me awhile to accept that I love them with all their faults (which we all have).

Too many people say, "I love you" when they don't mean it, they just think they like someone at the time. A lot of people say, "it was love at first sight" when what they really mean is that it was lust at first sight. It was their looks, the way they dressed, talked, or did something that made them lust after them. Love is different. It is a more potent sentiment than a simple liking or lusting for another.

What the Bible says about love:

Deuteronomy 6:5
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
 

Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. 

John15:13
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 4:7, 8, 16-21

7. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth God is born of God, and knoweth God. 8. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 16. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him. 17. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18. 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. 19. We love him because he first loved us. 20. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar; for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21. And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.

What the Bible says about charity (concept of unlimited love and kindness):
 

1Corinthians 13:1-7, 13

1. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not;  charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5. Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7. Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. . . . 13. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

2 Timothy 2:22

Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

1 Peter 4:8 

 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.