The Character of Love According to the Bible

   “Love… The superior way…”  This is how the title reads in my Bible before 1 Corinthians chapter 13; a chapter we are all familiar with, most often calling it “The Love Chapter.” As happens, Scripture touches our hearts in special ways at specific times by the power of the Holy Spirit. As I heard this passage read at a wedding recently, I felt the nudge of the Holy Spirit to break it down and really examine each piece.

   This article will begin a 16-article series on The Character of Love According to the Bible. I say ‘according to the Bible,’ because the world has tried to define love from the very beginning in a very different way than God defines it. I believe God’s definition of love is the only true love. To really love, we must understand His perspective and His definition…His Heart. We must understand the character of love, because this is actually the character of God. The Bible tells us that God is love.

   At the end of chapter 12 in first Corinthians, Paul tells us that the body of Christ has been given many different gifts. In verse 27 he says ‘now you are the body of Christ and individual members of it.’ We are part of the whole and we are a piece as well. Why is this important? It is the context for love. Biblical love needs an object to receive it. A person. This is not about self-love. This is not about self-esteem. Thi ...