Advent: Exploring Hope, Peace, Love, and Joyনমুনা

Week Three: Love

Of all the virtues of heaven, Paul tells us that the most foundational and greatest is love (1 Corinthians 13:13). It is woven throughout both the Old and New Testament, the “why” behind God’s great redemptive plan. And most importantly, it is the motivation of Christ as He makes His way to the cross: “Because God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son” (John 3:16). Without love, there would be no faith, hope, or peace.

Throughout Scripture, we see many different expressions of love. In C. S. Lewis’ book, The Four Loves, Lewis breaks them into four distinct categories: storge (“store-gae” meaning affection), philia (friendship), eros (romantic love), and agape (selfless, godly love). They are all God-created and designed, but they serve us in different ways. In its best form, love promotes and encourages. But other things can masquerade as love and end up harming and manipulating people.

Love captures the essence of God and reveals the best of Him in us. Scripture tells us that we wouldn’t be able to love at all if God didn’t first love us (1 John 4:19). Love can be a noun, verb, or adjective, and when asked which is the greatest of the commandments, Jesus replies:

“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29–31).

Love simply is. And “God is love” (1 John 4:16).

During this week of Advent, open your heart up to the endless love of God. Allow Him into those places where human love has failed you. Embrace Him in trust and believe that, because He loved, you are redeemed.

Questions:

1. Explore the four different types of love mentioned above. What area are you lacking in love? How can you grow in that area?
2. Examine the motivation of why you are serving others. Is it out of fear and/or obligation? Have you accepted the unconditional love of Christ for yourself?
3. Do you believe God loves you like He says He does? What difference does that make in how you love others?