What is Love? (Understanding True Love, Lust, Passion, and Infatuation) – 9

 

If you gave me a pen and paper or a notepad and asked, what is the greatest thing creation seeks, I will write true love. Humankind seeks love yet cannot find it because they have forgotten that this virtue rests in their hearts.

No human living on this earth can deny this truth. We desire true love in our daily lives. Maybe you lived in a vagabond environment, so you do not understand true love. You may interpret a loving vessel as weak because no one expressed love to you in the childhood stage.

People may have abused you from childhood, so you cannot express your true feelings. Can I present to you that you need the antidote of true love to revive the real you? I came from an unfavorable community.

I was born in Akwatia in the eastern region of Ghana. At that time, diamond mining was the main occupation. People used to engage in galamsay (an illegal mining practice in Ghana). Today, some people practice these unlawful activities, destroying Ghana's water bodies and natural resources.

In Akwatia, I sold iced water with my siblings around the pits. I did not receive enough love from my parents and neighbors. Today, we are no more in that state. God is taking us higher in life.

Although I did not receive enough love from my parents and neighborhood in my childhood, I have learned to build the seed of love in my heart. Some people never experience true love from their parents and neighbors, so they become violent, criminals, and serial killers.

I remember reading some books and watching documentaries about how some crime investigators, doctors, and police officers used a forensic investigation to weed out criminals. After watching those videos and reading those books, I learned that most criminals become violent because they never experienced true love.

Because their family and society denied true love, wickedness dominated their hearts. I have realized in life that the ultimate purpose of humankind and animals is to get and express love. If you have domestic animals such as dogs, cats, hens, goats, birds, and any other friendly animals, try training those animals with love, and they will grow to become lovable.

Treat animals with the seed of wickedness, and the animals will become violent. That is how human beings operate. Humans are like animals, train them in love, and they will grow up with the seed of love.

Treat human beings with wickedness, and they will become evil in their thoughts and actions. It takes the grace and mercies of God for a human who passed through pain and wickedness to walk and live-in love.

Human beings are like gardens; if you plant the seed of love, peace, humility, and contentment, they will grow up with these virtues to become responsible adults. If you plant the seed of wickedness, insults, pain, injustice, and sorrow, they become a threat to society.

This is one reason; you must do your best to treat people with the seed of true love because you don’t know the training they passed through. Some people are full of wickedness. Feeding those vessels with the seeds of wickedness worsens the case.

It is like salty soup; adding more salt to the soup worsens the taste. If you want to reduce the salt (wickedness) in the soup (human vessel), add water (love) that has no salt in it. Many people become hardened in their sin after prison release because they face more wickedness in that place.

You cannot change darkness with darkness. It takes light to change darkness. True love is like a seed, plant it in the heart of the wicked vessel, and it will destroy the dark seed. If no one showed you love in your childhood, don’t become bitter; instead, give your heart to Christ Jesus because He has the power to transform your wicked and unlovable heart.

When Christ Jesus comes into your heart, He plants the seed of love in your heart. It doesn’t matter how people mistreated you. Surrender all the pain and injustice to Christ Jesus because He has the strength to carry them.

When Christ Jesus comes into your heart, He takes your weakness and builds His strength in you. Build the seed of love in your heart by desiring the Word of God (Holy Bible). Find time to consistently fellowship with the Holy Spirit through spiritual songs, and the Holy Spirit will mold your heart.

In my previous article, I explained that if you have the seed of true love, you will share tears in painful seasons. Like Christ Jesus, He shared tears because He loved Lazarus and his sisters.

After Christ Jesus shared tears with Lazarus sisters and the Jews, He acted. Christ Jesus finalized his love for Lazarus by raising him from the dead. Child of God, it is not enough to share tears to let others know you care.

After sharing tears with your loved ones, do something to prove your love if the case demands a practical solution. Showing your emotions does not mean you are weak; it shows how strong you are inward.

When I was a nominal Christian believer, I loved watching wrestling. I had many fans, and one of them was Shawn Michaels. When Shawn Michaels becomes angry in the wrestling box, he shares tears.

He becomes strong and beats his opponent in the wrestling ring from that moment. I believe he was not acting because I could feel and see his tears from the video. If you read my previous article, you will realize that I made a statement that if you have the seed of true love in your heart, the stinking tomb will not hinder you.

In the physical realm, Lazarus's tomb had a smelly odor. Yet, Christ Jesus did not allow that unpleasant odor to hinder his love. Many people cannot express true love because of the stinking tomb.

The stinking tomb can be a season of wretchedness. Maybe somebody needs help, but that person is below your “dignity.” In such a case, humble yourself and help that person because Christ Jesus did not allow the stinking tomb to hinder him.

The stinking tomb can be a season you decide to swallow your pride and identify yourself with the vulnerable to show your true love. Some people feel that if they identify with the poor and weak, people will call them poor and weak.

Do not allow the negative thoughts of others to stop you from expressing true love. Child of God, is there any stinking tomb limiting you from the love of Christ Jesus? Are you operating on the level of unbelievers?

Most unbelievers and “Christians” only express love when they see the benefits. In Christ Jesus, we express unconditional love. We express agape (divine love). Our love has no preference. Our love has no room for favoritism.  Know these truths.

• We show true love because Christ Jesus taught us to show it to others.
• We express true love because Christ Jesus showed it to others.
• We express true love because Christ Jesus is the embodiment of true love.
• We express true love because it is the identifying mark of Christian believers.
• We express true love because that is the greatest commandment in the Celestial City.
• We express true love because it is the summary of the kingdom constitution.
• We express true love because the world needs it.
• We express true love because the world does not understand the meaning of true love.
• We express true love because the unbelievers interpret it as lust, passion, and infatuation.
• We express true love because the unbelievers need this seed to come out of the darkness.
• We express true love because eternal rewards await us in the Celestial City.
• We express true love because it is a defensive weapon in the realms of the spirit.
• We express true love because it is an invisible engine that sustains the growth of creation.
• We express true love because our spirit and soul receive divine nourishment when we do it from a pure heart.
• We express true love because it is an offensive weapon in the realms of the spirit.
• We express true love because the Trinity operates in this atmosphere.
• We express true love because God demands it.
• We express true love because we cannot fulfill the plans of God without it.

Child of God, the choice is yours. I wrote this short introduction to help you understand some mysteries of true love. In this article, I will use the lesson of Daniel and Darius to help you understand true love.

 

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;

And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.

Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.

My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.

He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Daniel 6:1-28 KJV

If you read the above entire holy scriptures, you will understand that the princes and presidents became jealous of Daniel because of his position. One important truth you must not ignore in life is that jealousy and wickedness rule in an environment void of true love.

The princes and presidents conspired against Daniel and threw him into the lion’s den, but something incredible happened. Daniel received true love from king Darius. Darius did not sleep and eat the whole night when Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den.

 

Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

Daniel 6:18 KJV

Darius created an unpleasant situation for himself. He did not welcome the musicians into his palace. Maybe he was praying to his god to save Daniel. One thing you must know about true love is that you become worried for the person you love when the vessel gets into trouble.

If you claim to love someone and feel comfortable in the person’s dark moment, it isn’t true love. True love will make you uncomfortable in painful situations when the loved one gets into trouble.

Like parents, most of them become worried when their children get into trouble. Like king Darius, he had the seed of true love in his heart. I hope you remember the acts of Darius. He did not sleep the whole night. Darius did not eat the entire night. He did not enjoy any music because of the love he had for Daniel.

 

Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.

And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

Daniel 6:19-20 KJV

The next day that is early in the morning, Darius ran like Usain Bolt to check the status of Daniel. He wanted to know whether Daniel survived in the lion’s den. Maybe you should reread the holy scriptures.

 

Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions

Daniel 6:19 KJV

So, you see the time king Darius acted and how he made his steps. It did not end there. Darius cried with a loud voice, “And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel.”

Child of God, true love shows emotions. True love cares. If king Darius could run with all his might in the twilight and cry out with all his strength to hear the voice of Daniel, then true love is a great force in the souls of humankind.

King Darius exemplified true love for Daniel, and it is our responsibility to imitate his love. Observe the statement of king Darius, “O Daniel, servant of the living God….” Such a humble voice of a loving king!

Anyone that consistently speaks to you humbly loves you. Embrace such a person with your heart because he has the seed of true love. Speaking or writing in a humble tone does not necessarily mean you are weak or poor.

It shows an aspect of your character. Don’t act like some people who think; showing your emotions indicate weakness. It is weak people that cannot show emotions. Strong people show emotions at the right place and right time.

Strong people show emotions to vessels they trust. If you have the seed of true love, you will not feel ashamed of showing your feelings. Darius vindicated Daniel by sending his enemies into the lion’s den. Child of God, true love vindicates. True love brings justice.

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