Love – What Is It?

Love – What is it? Webster Definition Webster Definition love Pronunciation: \ ˈ ləv\ love Pronunciation: \ ˈ ləv\ Function: noun –4 a: unselfish loyal and benevolent concern for the good of another: as (1): the fatherly concern of God for humankind (2): brotherly concern for others : a person's adoration of God Definition – What is Love? Definition – What is Love? –I Corinthians 13

Types of Love Eros – lust Eros – lust Philos – affection found in a casual friendship Philos – affection found in a casual friendship Agape – love based on deliberate choice on the one who loves rather than the worthiness of the one who is loved. (Giving, selfless, expect nothing in return) Agape – love based on deliberate choice on the one who loves rather than the worthiness of the one who is loved. (Giving, selfless, expect nothing in return)

The Real Deal… True Love - agape –C–C–C–Comes with purity of heart The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith T T T T iiii mmmm oooo tttt hhhh yyyy :::: 5555 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart T T T T iiii mmmm oooo tttt hhhh yyyy :::: love always wants to give, where as lust always wants to take –E–E–E–Examples Joseph and Mary Two Monk Story

True Love vs. Attraction Characteristics True Love True Love –Spiritually based –Purity of heart –Everlasting, commitment –Unconditional –Practical –Expressed by action/sacrifice –Examples Ruth/Naomi Ruth/Naomi ??? ??? Attraction Attraction –Physical, superficial –Fluctuating feeling –Self pleasing –Element of fascination –Examples David/Bathsheba Samson/Delilah ???

So What Is It…? Love is an encounter between two hearts, or a union between two hearts with the same feelings and emotions. In order that such love be holy, the feeling sought should be within Gods love, not contradicting or exceeding it. Pope Shenouda

So What Else Is It…? True love is wise and spiritual and aims at the salvation of souls. It is a love that does not sacrifice what is right for the sake of being courteous. It does not share in the faults of others... It is pure and sincere, like God's love... Pope Shenouda

Love Aint Easy Love is tested through suffering, tribulation and sacrifice. The one who is not able to sacrifice is the one who does not love... Once he loves, he will sacrifice everything. Pope Shenouda Examples Abraham Abraham Daniel Daniel Martyrs Martyrs

Lets test your knowledge Verbs of the Vows

Grooms Vows …you are required to _______ your wife at this blessed hour with a clear conscience, a ____ soul and a ____ heart…. …you are required to _______ your wife at this blessed hour with a clear conscience, a ____ soul and a ____ heart…. Have _________ on her and hasten to do that which ________ her heart. Have _________ on her and hasten to do that which ________ her heart. Take care of her as her parents did in ____ and ________ Take care of her as her parents did in ____ and ________ Remember that if you fulfill the divine commandments which urge you to ____ ______ your wife, the Lord will increase your livelihood Remember that if you fulfill the divine commandments which urge you to ____ ______ your wife, the Lord will increase your livelihood

Grooms Vows …you are required to receive your wife at this blessed hour with a clear conscience, a pure soul and a full heart…. …you are required to receive your wife at this blessed hour with a clear conscience, a pure soul and a full heart…. Have compassion on her and hasten to do that which gladdens her heart. Have compassion on her and hasten to do that which gladdens her heart. Take care of her as her parents did in love and humility Take care of her as her parents did in love and humility Remember that if you fulfill the divine commandments which urge you to look after your wife, the Lord will increase your livelihood Remember that if you fulfill the divine commandments which urge you to look after your wife, the Lord will increase your livelihood

Brides Vows So you are required to _____ and _______ him, do not disagree with him but increase your _______ to him… So you are required to _____ and _______ him, do not disagree with him but increase your _______ to him… Receive him with ___ and _____, do not frown in his face… Receive him with ___ and _____, do not frown in his face… Because God commanded you to ______ to him and ordered you to ____ him as your parents Because God commanded you to ______ to him and ordered you to ____ him as your parents

Brides Vows So you are required to honor and respect him, do not disagree with him but increase your obedience to him… So you are required to honor and respect him, do not disagree with him but increase your obedience to him… Receive him with joy and cheer, do not frown in his face… Receive him with joy and cheer, do not frown in his face… Because God commanded you to submit to him and ordered you to obey him as your parents Because God commanded you to submit to him and ordered you to obey him as your parents

In Summary 1.What are three kinds of love Eros Eros Philos Philos Agape Agape 2.Most famous biblical definition of love is from I Corinthians 13 I Corinthians 13 3.True love versus attraction 4.Groom versus brides vows