True Love—Illustrations in Ruth
“May he (Obed) be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age; for your daughter-in-law, who loves you, who is better to you than seven sons, has borne him.” Ruth 4:15
Love… it is an important concept in Scripture. The word is found over five hundred times in our Bibles, although it is used only once in the Book of Ruth, which will serve as the basis for this series of devotions. In this first of twelve devotions, let us seek to define love.
What is love? Love is a feeling—a strong emotional attachment. The Bible tells us, for instance, concerning Jonathan and David: “The soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.” (1 Samuel 18:1) But love is more than a feeling. Love is also an action. Scripture often speaks of “agape” love…a love of both understanding and purpose. This type of love is illustrated in that most familiar Bible passage: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) God understood our need for salvation and in love His purpose was to meet that essential need of every human being by sending Jesus! But love is more than purposeful action. It is also the very essence of God. The Bible says: “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) It further explains: “Love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7) True love proceeds from God to us and enables us to love. The Bible says: “We love because He first loved us.” (1 John 4:19 NIV)
In this series we will seek to further define the nature of that true love proceeding from God, which is to reveal itself in our lives. May God bless our study!
Dear heavenly Father, You are the very essence of love. In Your love, You have redeemed our souls through Your precious Son, Jesus. Help us to grow in both our understanding of love and our ability to love, so that Your name is honored and others are blessed by everything we say and do. Amen.