We hear a lot about love everywhere we turn. These days we might often hear about how love is either lacking in the world around us or how it is simply an expression of base physical desire. Love is a word that easily flows off the lips of most people, yet few can describe it or even practice love beyond feelings of affection or attraction. It is easy to get confused about what God-given love is all about.
Is there any way to clear the blurriness from our eyes and know what love really is? What does God’s love look like, and what makes it different from how the world thinks about love?
All those who are united to Christ Jesus have the gift of love from God the Father. When Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment, he answered that it is to love God and others. Thus, understanding how God describes love is especially helpful in knowing what love really is. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul helps by giving us a deeper understanding of love:
The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Tim. 1:5)
The “charge” to which Paul is referring is about teaching sound doctrine (1 Tim. 1:3). Timothy is to proclaim and teach the truth from God as revealed by Christ Jesus. Then he writes that the aim or purpose or goal of teaching God’s word is love.
