Understanding True Biblical Love: Beyond Hollywood Romance

Many of us have grown up with Hollywood’s version of love – the idea that we’ll “just know” when we find “the one” or meet our “soulmate.” However, these popular concepts of love often lead to unrealistic expectations and failed relationships.

What Does the Bible Say About Love?

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 gives us God’s definition of love:

– Love is patient

– Love is kind

– Love does not envy

– Love does not boast

– Love is not proud

– Love does not dishonor others

– Love is not self-seeking

– Love is not easily angered

– Love keeps no record of wrongs

– Love always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres

Love is a Choice, Not a Feeling

True biblical love is not about feelings or emotions – it’s about making a daily choice to act in loving ways, even when we don’t feel like it. This means:

– Choosing patience when we want to lash out

– Showing kindness when we’re hurt

– Protecting and trusting even in difficult times

– Not keeping score of past wrongs

How Did Jesus Demonstrate Perfect Love?

Romans 5:8 tells us “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Jesus showed the ultimate example of love by:

– Loving us at our worst

– Sacrificing himself for those who rejected him

– Taking our punishment upon himself

– Seeing us as we could be, not as we are

Life Application

This week, challenge yourself to:

– Identify areas where you’ve been operating on Hollywood’s definition of love rather than God’s

– Choose one aspect of biblical love to focus on improving (patience, kindness, etc.)

– Ask yourself these questions:

                   Am I keeping score of wrongs in my relationships?

                   Do I choose to love even when I don’t feel like it?

                   How can I better reflect Christ’s sacrificial love to others?

Remember: You cannot love this way in your own strength. True biblical love only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ, who demonstrated perfect love by dying for us while we were still sinners.