Love: Defined and Explained(1) Galatians 5:6 I. Introduction. A. Read and comment: Galatians 5:6. B. No word more misunderstood. 1. Or--abused. 2. Used to justify, condemn, excuse, and pacify. 3. "I love him..or that..or those." 4. Used to approve everything from murder to adultery. C. Most powerful form in New Testament: agape & agapao. 1. Attitude of God toward His Son: John 17:26. 2. Used of attitude of God toward human race: John 3:16. 3. Attitude of brethren toward one another(John 13:34) & toward all men(I Thessalonians 3:12). 4. Expresses essential nature of God(I John 4:8). II. Body. A. Proper love involves more than passing affection. 1. Philo: An affection(not too serious). a. Peter's conversation with Christ: John 21:15-17. b. Contrast John 12:25(filwn)-undue desire to preserve life--with--I Peter 3:10(agape)- consult the true interests of living. B. Love is the power behind obedience. 1. "Love can only be known from the action it prompts"(Vine). 2. Jesus said it: John 14:23. 3. John said it: II John 6. 4. Those who refuse to obey, do not love(agape) God. 5. There are many who establish friendships(filwn) without making the proper steps to obey. C. God is the proper source of love. 1. What mean when sing: God is love(I John 4:8)? 2. The fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22. 3. Note: I John 2:5. 4. One can love from sensual standpoint, from friendship, but this comes from God! D. Love is in the hearts of honest searchers. 1. Cannot find truth otherwise: II Thessalonians 2:10. 2. Must be willing to pay the price. 3. Love God above: family, wealth, position, honor, etc. 4. May have to make great sacrifices(illustrate). 5. Possible imprisonment of man. E. Love is the tie that binds. 1. That is, love from God: Galatians 5:13. 2. Read: I Corinthians 13:4-7. 3. One can be bound by love for friends without proper love for God. F. Love is a characteristic of all the faithful. 1. Note: I John 5:2-3. 2. When it ceases: Revelation 2:4. 3. Those who quit the Lord no longer love the Lord! G. Love leads to approve when right and rebuke when wrong! 1. Just like God: Revelation 3:19. 2. Love does not overlook sin: moral or religious. 3. The one who realizes you love him accepts such. 4. How do you react to your child? H. Love is the most misunderstood and misapplied word in our language. 1. Evident already from what has been studied. 2. One who ignores the Lord's word does not have the proper love for the Lord. 3. One who refused to rebuke does not love. 4. Those who invent other commands do not love. III. Conclusion. A. Love is the greatest continuing characteristic possible to possess: I Corinthians 13:13. B. Let each of us use the power of love.-jy