The Definition of Love

In your Christian scriptures there is a definition of Love. This definition is rather long and has many negatives in it. This definition is contained in 1Corinthians13. I want to include the definition here. I recommend you read it aloud so that the vibration of the words enters into you.

 If I speak in the tongues of humans or of Angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.

Notice in this definition of Love that actions have little import in life unless it is accompanied by love. Because you were created from Love if you do not act according to Love then you are not within Love. You are no different than the angels who were thrown from the heavens when they decided that they wanted power over others.

Recognize that this passage is not saying that the actions are incorrect. The passages are merely stating that what  ever action you take, for you to be acting within Love. You must exhibit love. This definition of Love includes numerous things that you are not to be. You are not to be jealous. You are not to be angry. You are not to be judgmental. What you are to be is patient, understanding, accepting.

In many ways living Love appears outwardly inactive. Love is not what you do. It is how you are within yourself. Being in a place of Love is holding the space for others to allow them to grow and develop. Others watching you may even say that you are passive, that you take no active part in the world.

When you are living Love then you are living from the space within you which touches the Source of all Love. This Source is Love Itself.

The words in this text defining Love does not apply just to your actions regarding other people. This text also applies to your relationship with you. You are called upon to be patient, understanding and nonjudgmental of yourself.

The truth is, when you are able to treat yourself as this definition of love requires, then you will be able to treat others in the same manner. You can judge how much you love yourself by the way you treat others. If you are angry and critical of others then you hold within you deep anger towards yourself.

When you are able to face your own lack of patience and understanding of yourself and move into a place of acceptance of who it is you are, then you will be able to do the same for others. Learning to be the Love you were created with requires that you be that Love for yourself. When you are able to do this you will find that your ability to be in a place of acceptance of others, to be in a place of Love with others, comes easily.

Just as you project anger, disappointment, judgment to others when you are filled with these qualities, you will project Love onto others when you are filled with the knowledge and the conviction that you yourself are Love.

This is why it is crucial for you to focus upon healing yourself. When you are willing to face the pain within yourself, and to release that pain, then you will not spew that pain onto others. The difficulty is so many people fear facing their pain. So many people fear being imperfect. When you come to know that you were created from the perfection of Love you will know deep within yourself that you are perfect. You are continuing to expand into who you are as Love. You are continuing to learn from your actions and from those surrounding you. When you come to accept your lovableness, the fact you are beloved by the One who created you, then you will rest easy in that Love. When you rest in that Love then it is Love  you give to others.

When you feel the desire to judge another, stop. Immediately ask yourself, How am I judging myself?The answer to this question will give you the area you now have the opportunity to heal. The one who created you sees you only in the perfection of Love. It is others who have told you that you are not Love. It is others who have told you that you are not perfect.

When you plant an acorn and a small shoot bursts through the packed soil, do you berate it because it is not yet a mighty oak tree? Do you not tend it and give it direction in its growth? You are not angry because it is not yet a mighty oak tree because you know that it takes time to become that full grown tree.

The same is true for your growth and development. There is no judgment from the Source of All regarding your own growth and development. There is only an enfolding in love and delight and watching you becoming who you are.

When you know within the deepest part of yourself that you are enfolded in Love then you will give that Love to others.

Leave a Comment