Learning What Love Looks Like

[churchlady]

As I was reading the Word this morning, this scripture stood out to me..............

"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all discernment; that you may approve things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense til the day of Christ............." Philippians 1:9-10

It made me think of the TV program 'SuperNanny'. The parents of these wild unruly little children very much love their kids, but don't have the knowledge or discernment to express that love properly.

So SuperNanny comes into their home for a couple of weeks and teaches them several techniques of discipline and affection combined, that convey to the children a more accurate picture of parental love.

By the end of her stay, these whiney, bratty children are so much happier and more well behaved. They feel secure and loved, having good boundaries put into place.

The Bible exhorts us to walk in Love, but like the parents of the whiney kids, we need to grow in our knowledge and discernment of what real agape love looks like in the practical day to day living.

Whether Jesus was talking kindly to the woman caught in adultery, or when he was braiding cords to drive out the money changers from the temple, He was walking in Love, and knew and discerned what expression of it, fit the situation.

Any thoughts on this scripture?

[Tamara224]

As I was reading the Word this morning, this scripture stood out to me..............

"And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all discernment; that you may approve things that are excellent; that you may be sincere and without offense til the day of Christ............." Philippians 1:9-10

It made me think of the TV program 'SuperNanny'. The parents of these wild unruly little children very much love their kids, but don't have the knowledge or discernment to express that love properly.

So SuperNanny comes into their home for a couple of weeks and teaches them several techniques of discipline and affection combined, that convey to the children a more accurate picture of parental love.

By the end of her stay, these whiney, bratty children are so much happier and more well behaved. They feel secure and loved, having good boundaries put into place.

The Bible exhorts us to walk in Love, but like the parents of the whiney kids, we need to grow in our knowledge and discernment of what real agape love looks like in the practical day to day living.

Whether Jesus was talking kindly to the woman caught in adultery, or when he was braiding cords to drive out the money changers from the temple, He was walking in Love, and knew and discerned what expression of it, fit the situation.

Any thoughts on this scripture?

I have nothing to add... just wanted to say: Wow, thanks for that... Really good word! Thank you so much for sharing. That's some stuff for deep thoughts!

[Christina M]

I think many times people show love to others...... but, because of "where" the others are, they do not receive the love.

Many judge the messenger...................usually because of their own personal choices/consequences.

True love is not molly-coddling, it is not accepting of everyone no matter what...it is not tolerance (which is so prevalent today).

True love does not mean that one must be inclusive or tolerant of all.... sometimes real love means holding people accountable for their choices, their actions.

[riverpastor]

churchlady,

I believe the root of the love growing more and more in knowledge is found in this scripture:

Ephesians 3:19 - [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [ without experience ]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! (AMPLIFIED)


We experience this love through our spirits first. As we continue to grow in this love, THAT experiential knowledge of His Love is added to our knowledge.

It floods every part of our being. And there is no end to this Love permeating our knowledge.

When you experience God's Love in this way, I believe this is the catalyst that will bring true change in our hearts and spill over into the lives of those around us... we bear fruit... and that fruit is also given to others through us. It is the fruit of God's Love within and without that makes a difference in this world.

When this Love is only a mechanical mindset of theory, and not experienced in a continual state, it can become the basis of "religion" and man's attempt to reach God by every other means than that of Christ's Atoning work.

[churchlady]

True love is not molly-coddling, it is not accepting of everyone no matter what...it is not tolerance (which is so prevalent today).

.... sometimes real love means holding people accountable for their choices, their actions.

This is so true, Christina. Let me tell you of an experience along these lines that I had last week.

A lady from church was going into the hospital for one day to have some minor surgery. I decided to visit her to pray for her, which I did. She seemed glad to have the prayer. That was on a Monday.

The following Sunday, when I saw her at church, her first comments to me were..........."Well, I thought you had died or something, when I didn't hear from you again."

At first, I was kind of taken aback and puzzled by her comments, as we are not close friends, just church acquaintances.

But then I remembered that this woman is known by all for her very strong, domineering personality, and I sensed that this was how she was used to getting what she wanted or needed - make the other person feel obligated by insinuating they weren't doing as they should.

A few years ago, I would have bought into this, and probably apologized to her. But, knowing that this was coming from her 'old Adamic nature', I gave it no place.

I knew that agape love doesn't become an enabler to the old nature - that's not love.

The need might have been legitimate, but her way of trying to get it met was not healthy. If I had given into it, I would have done so out of obligation and probably ended up feeling resentful and used. She would have had the old fleshly ways re-enforced, as well.

Again, that's not love and it doesn't encourage growth. Now she may not like me anymore, but I still need to do what is right in the situation.

So, thanks for your comments, Christina. They contain a lot of truth.

And thanks Tamara, for your kind words, as well.

[BenAdam]

I think many times people show love to others...... but, because of "where" the others are, they do not receive the love.

Many judge the messenger...................usually because of their own personal choices/consequences.

True love is not molly-coddling, it is not accepting of everyone no matter what...it is not tolerance (which is so prevalent today).

True love does not mean that one must be inclusive or tolerant of all.... sometimes real love means holding people accountable for their choices, their actions.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

That says to me God does accept us, He didn't make us change before Christ died. We respond to His love.

[The Lord is my banner]

Riverpastor, wonderful! Water to my soul.

That is the Love I have begun to experience, and that changes me, and yes, the intellectual understanding and the desire to "do" it never bore sweet fruit, only frustration and bitterness.

When I lose sight of that Love and get into a tailspin of feeling I've failed, nothing can make me behave well. Only receiving once more the experience of His love can rescue me.

BenAdam - yes we were accepted even while we were sinners. It's not about our doing it's all about receiving His absolute love. I so need to remind myself of that acceptance, whatever way I have messed up, all the time.


God knew what He was letting Himself in for when He chose me for Himself.

(Thank you to Father Rick for that.)

I do love "Supernanny" - the life-enhancing effects on those families is truly a delight, and the Lord must rejoice to see transformed families full of hope and peace and joy.

[Febe]

As You are talking about love - may I share this with You? It is taken from the catholic forum: OBOB:

Has anybody ever heard of Dick and Rick Hoyt? This story is amazing!

Look How Much This Father Did For His Son
Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in
marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a
wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and
pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars--all in the same
day.

Watch This
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=2306376850295808016&q=dick+hoyt
I think this is about LOVE, more than anything else!

[churchlady]

churchlady,

I believe the root of the love growing more and more in knowledge is found in this scripture:

Ephesians 3:19 - [That you may really come] to know [practically, through experience for yourselves] the love of Christ, which far surpasses mere knowledge [ without experience ]; that you may be filled [through all your being] unto all the fullness of God [may have the richest measure of the divine Presence, and become a body wholly filled and flooded with God Himself]! (AMPLIFIED)


We experience this love through our spirits first. As we continue to grow in this love, THAT experiential knowledge of His Love is added to our knowledge.

It floods every part of our being. And there is no end to this Love permeating our knowledge.

When you experience God's Love in this way, I believe this is the catalyst that will bring true change in our hearts and spill over into the lives of those around us... we bear fruit... and that fruit is also given to others through us. It is the fruit of God's Love within and without that makes a difference in this world.

When this Love is only a mechanical mindset of theory, and not experienced in a continual state, it can become the basis of "religion" and man's attempt to reach God by every other means than that of Christ's Atoning work.

You have explained it in such a clear and beautiful way, Riverpastor.

We can only love because He first loved us. His Love heals and restores us and from that wholeness, we can begin to reach out in a healthy manner to others.

It's makes 'religion' pale in comparison.

We're all broken when He reaches down to save us. But He knows that much more than we ourselves do. As TheLordIsMyBanner pointed out, it's in receiving from Him, not in our doing, that brings us to the point of real change within.

Thanks for the rich contribution to this thread.

[Tenebrae]

Real loving, revalational relationships and grace?

Not just loving people, but letting those people (that we find akward and wierd and just dont fit in our social circle of friends) love us

I think Jesus Illustrates this point wonderfully in the parable of the good samaritan