1 Corinthians 13:1 – “THOUGH I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love in my heart, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”

The English word LOVE must be one of the most unusual and difficult words in our language for someone learning it.  It is supposedly packed with meaning, yet it seems inadequate when we really want to say something.  Let me explain what I mean.

Edgar Allen Poe said, “We loved with a love that was more than love.”  What?  I believe that the word LOVE like the word Blessed, is overworked in the English language.  Some dictionaries list as many meanings as twenty-five for love.  We use them all in our daily conversations.  Thus, I insist that having just one word for the many kinds and dimensions of Love leads to confusion and absurd comparisons.

We Love our lifelong sweetheart, but we also love things like fried chicken or nice cars.  Thereby comparing marriage with chicken or cars.  Inadequate and almost insulting.  We Love our parents and children, but we also love things like football, fishing, golf, etc.  That puts mom and dad on par with a weekend at Vail or the Golf Course.  It places little Johnny our Suzie in competition with our favorite team.  That is not good!

We love Freedom which is surely more precious than some new shiny vehicle parked in the driveway.  But we love the car.  We love our pets.  We love new clothes, and certain foods, right?  We Love Jesus, the King of kings and Lord of lords, but we love certain music or movies.  Nothing can compare to the Lord and the English word Love leaves us wanting for a proper comparison.

We read books with Love as the theme.  One writer speaks of Love, but he is speaking of sexual attraction.  Another uses the word Love in referring to an abstract ideal and yet another, writes of Love as romance.  Still, another uses Love to speak of intense family loyalty and yet another describes an undying friendship by the word Love.  I suggest that is inadequate to fully comprehend the meaning.

The Greatest Love Story ever is that of John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he even gave his only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.”  When we study Blood Covenant in the Bible, we discover the power of Love.

The Church (Believers) are the Bride of Christ!  We have a covenantal relationship with the one who forgives us of our sins.  We drink the cup with Him and realize that He paid the ultimate price for our salvation.  That is LOVE!  He promised in John 14:1-3 – “LET not your heart be troubled; believe in God, and believe in me also.² In my Father’s house there are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.³ And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and take you to me, so that where I am, you may be also.”

Love is not simply a many splendored thing it is that devotion, commitment, and obedience to Jesus Christ our Savior.  Yes, in English unlike many other languages we have only one word for Love and that makes it an overused and inadequate word to describe our devotion in so many ways.

God bless you as you walk in Love on this beautiful day the Lord has made and rejoice!