Is Christian love a feeling?

No. According to W. à Brakel's definition followed by the sermons, it is an inclination of the heart towards God, infused by the Holy Spirit. It is therefore measured not with the thermometer of emotions, but by obedience: loving Christ means keeping His commandments (John 14:21). Even towards an enemy, Christ does not ask us to feel something for him, but to do good to him, bless him and pray for him (Luke 6:27-28).

Why can someone who has not been born again not love God?

Because God is the source of this love: everyone who loves is born of God and knows God (1 John 4:7). Natural man has natural faith, hope and love, and loves many things, but not God. Love for God is kindled when, through the Gospel, we know and receive what Christ did on the cross: we love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19).

What is the relationship between love and truth?

They go hand in hand. The Truth, what God has revealed in Scripture, makes love grow because it shows us how much we have been forgiven (Luke 7:47). It also teaches us how to express and evaluate love. And, in turn, love is necessary to receive the Truth: those who perish did not receive the love of the truth that they might be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:10).

What does it mean that love 'does not behave rudely'?

It means that it does nothing indecorous, disrespectful or out of order (1 Corinthians 13:5). Love for God makes Christians sensitive to the order God has established: it respects authorities in the family, church, workplace and society (1 Peter 2:13-14). And at work it serves from the heart, as to the Lord: it uses good materials, works well and charges fairly (Ephesians 6:5-7; Proverbs 16:11).

How can I grow in love for God?

By returning to the source. John directs us to the love God has already shown: He has made us His children (1 John 3:1) and sent His Son into the world (1 John 4:9-10). Instead of looking for proof of His love in circumstances, we must walk by faith and go deeper into the Truth: election, justification, adoption and providence. The better we see our fall, the more amazed we will be at His love.

Does God stop loving His children when they suffer?

No. God's children go through illnesses, losses and contempt, and the apostle Paul suffered greatly (2 Corinthians 11:23-27). But none of this indicates that Christ has stopped loving them (Romans 8:35). God's love does not fluctuate like human love: He has loved us with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31:3). That is why we must walk by faith and not by sight.

Christian Love: Where It Comes From, What It Looks Like and How It Grows

Introduction

The source: God is love

Love and truth go hand in hand

What love looks like: 1 Corinthians 13

Christian love is not a spontaneous emotion. Explore its source, its relationship with truth, its expression in 1 Corinthians 13 and how it grows.