Thread by @ThomasCoutouzis

Love is an action rooted in the denial of self, not the indulging of self. It originates from God, therefore, this attribute can only be shown through those He has regenerated.

True love starts with a love for God first and then trickles down to those around us.

Because true love starts with God, it celebrates the truth of His word (Scripture) as every word is true. Paul said in 1 Cor 13 that "love rejoices in the truth". If you cannot rejoice in every word of Scripture, then you do not love God.

This is why Christ said in John 14:15

"If you love Me, you will obey my commandments."

Conversely, if you don't love God then you will pick and choose the commandment you will obey, or obey none at all.

Love isn't a feeling because feelings are not rooted in truth in light of our corrupt hearts.

The ultimate demonstration of love is the God-man Christ dying on the cross for a wretched man like myself. Christ loved the Father and the Father loved Christ, which is why Christ came to die and atone for the sin of those He chooses to redeem.

For the true Christian, the best example of love we can meditate on is that Jesus willingly took the punishment of our sins as a scapegoat. That God would pour His wrath out on His Son to atone for sin instead of destroying all of reprobate man for eternity astounds me.

Love isn't love. God is love, and from His love will come a desire for professing Christians to want to obey Him for the high price that He paid on Calvary.

When the Christian loves God they will hate sin, not indulge in it. Love is an action that requires death to self.