In previous posts, we examined hate as a subject, emphasizing that hate and its destructive effects must first be understood before the true value of love can be appreciated. The panacea for hate was also discussed.

WHAT IS LOVE

According to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary, love is a strong feeling of deep affection for someone or something. It may be directed towards a person, act, object, structure, or institution. Love is an expression of passion and commitment.

Biblically, love is God in manifestation. “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love” (1 John 4:8). Love is not merely what God does; it is who He is. God demonstrated this love clearly:

• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son…” (John 3:16).
• “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

First Corinthians chapter 13 further outlines the attributes of love. Love stands at the centre of life; without it, life loses its meaning and purpose.

FORMS OF LOVE

Love may be classified into two broad categories:
a) Genuine or true love
b) Fake or presumptuous love

Divine Love (Agape):
This is the highest form of love and originates from God. It is unconditional, sacrificial, and service-oriented, as revealed in 1 John 4:10 “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” Agape love carries the nature of God and can only be practised by those who share in His nature. It is love expressed through selfless service.

Natural Affection:
This is a natural bond or attraction between individuals or between a person and an object. It may exist between friends, family members, or even towards possessions. An example is the affection between Jonathan and David (1 Samuel 18:1–4). Such bonds can be deep and enduring.

Marital Love:
This is the love shared between husband and wife. It unites the family and sustains the home, enabling it to function in harmony.

Parental Love:
This is the affection between parents and children, or guardians and wards, which fosters care, protection, and unity.

This form of love is often mistaken for genuine love but cannot endure trials or difficult circumstances. It is commonly practiced by the natural man and lacks spiritual depth.

Conditional Love:
This love is self-centered and driven by personal gain, recognition, or control. It thrives only when conditions are met. Once those conditions fail, the so-called love disappears. This is often seen in politics, leadership structures, friendships, and even marriages.

Lust:
This is love driven by intense desire for pleasure, power, position, or possessions. Once the desired goal is achieved, the affection fades and often collapses.

Infatuation:
This is a temporary and irrational attraction. It lacks depth and endurance. A biblical example is Amnon’s infatuation with Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1–19), which turned into hatred after desire was satisfied.

Charm-Induced Love:
This form of love is artificially generated through charms, spells, or manipulative prayers. It is unnatural, unstable, and often ends abruptly or in disaster once the influence wears off.

Among all forms of love, God desires humanity to practice Agape love. This love promotes forgiveness, mercy, kindness, patience, peace, and soundness of life, essential qualities for spiritual maturity.

Humanity needs love to be reconciled to God, regain God’s original nature, and ultimately inherit eternal life. Restoration of the fellowship lost in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:7–9) is only possible through the love of God.

The present state of the world stands in sharp contrast to God’s original intention. There is widespread conflict, injustice, discrimination, and violence, products of hate. Where love is absent, peace cannot thrive. Scripture declares that love restrains evil, as stated in 1 Peter 4:8 “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins,” and Proverbs 10:12 “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”

Many homes today suffer breakdowns due to the absence of genuine love, resulting in separation, divorce, and social instability. However, homes founded on true love experience harmony, stability, and godly order, which positively impact society at large.

The home, being the first institution established by God, must be preserved through love. The prevalence of infidelity, unfaithfulness, and division stems from disobedience to God’s instructions. Scripture teaches that wives should submit to their husbands and husbands should love their wives as Christ loved the Church (Ephesians 5:22, 25). Obedience to these principles fosters mutual understanding and godly homes.

To practice true love, humanity must embrace biblical culture. God’s love, demonstrated in John 3:16 and 1 John 3:16 (“Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us.”), sets the ultimate standard. Jesus commanded His disciples to love one another as proof of their identity in Him (John 13:34–35). The Apostle John further emphasised this truth in 1 John 3:17–18 and 1 John 4:7–21.

If the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance) is to manifest in our lives and society, love must be genuinely practiced. Paul exhorted believers to walk in love as imitators of God (Ephesians 5:1–2) which reads “Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love.”

Love remains the ultimate solution to a troubled world. Where love prevails, forgiveness replaces fault-finding, understanding replaces hostility, and growth becomes inevitable.

To be continued in the subsequent posts…..

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