What Does Love Mean?

Posted on by Stuart L. Tutt

Something I have always wondered.

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Really, we all say it. Many of us mean it when we say it but what does it mean..deep down at the core.

When a friend says I love you brother, I immediately say I love you too. And I mean it…I have an emotional bond with that person so there is…love.
I find it odd that I never hear women say to each other..I love you sister.

So love is a bond between two people…but it goes deeper…much, much deeper.

We always hear the phrase God Is Love.

We, as Christians, usually quote the verse greater love has no man than one who lays down his life for another (Stuversion).

To me this proves that God is Love. He allowed His Son, Jesus Christ to leave glory and become flesh for the sole purpose of dying a physical death as atonement for our sin.

Did Christ want to die? He knew the plan going into Mary’s womb. He knew the day and time. He knew who would be at His side and who would turn and run out of fear…and yet He gave His life for not just me but everyone.

In the garden Jesus said if possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.
It was, I believe, at that moment when love was defined.

Jesus surrendered His will to the Father for the benefit of mankind.

Later in scripture Paul tells us that we, as husbands, should love our wife as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her. Could that mean dying to save her if it came to it? Sure..

But it goes deeper than that.

I believe it means to surrender our will to the benefit of our wife. Being a leader means giving up your “glory” for the benefit of those under your protection. There are so many areas in which this can take place.

1. Finances….
Make wise decisions based on the income at hand not on potential income. Don’t buy unnecessary items. This might hurt…whether married or single; there is no “my” money..it is God’s.

2. Time spent with friends..
Everyone needs time with friends. I get it..your wife gets it. But if you are spending more time with friends than you are at home with your wife there IS a problem.

3. Sex..
Giving up your desires for sex is not at question here. It is giving up daily moments to ensure she knows you desire her. It is giving up your desire for other woman and stay faithful.

4. Time…
It is giving up “your” time for her. It is not going hunting, fishing, golfing or even going to a concert to be with her. It is going where she wants even when you don’t understand the point in going.

Those are acts of love…denying oneself for the benefit of another…your wife.

If anyone has other examples please feel free to comment to this!

*Originally posted January 2, 2016*

Published by Stuart L. Tutt

I am just a man who has suffered through a lot, just like most. But now I am seeking God's will for my life. and trying to be a Godly father to my two children.

11 thoughts on “What Does Love Mean?”

  3. Well Stuart, you are completely correct with this post, and you’re right love is much, much deeper. I can say I love you to another woman because I have a connection to her, like her being a close friend that’s there for me. Love is gods gift to us
    Love can be a symbol of appreciation for someone or it can be a deeper emotion. God bless you Stuart.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. Hi Stuart, excellent post. It’s funny but as you get older you actually think more about love, the reality of love, the gift of love, the grace of love. When all is said and done, all that really matters is love. God’s love for us and our’s for Him, our love for our family and friends, in spite of all of our mistakes. The wonder of it all is that there is any love at all, when you really stop and think about it. So many of us have done everything we could to destroy love and yet, God’s love still gets through, if we but give Him one sliver of a chance to change us. At the last supper, the last thing they all did was sing before they left for the Mount of Olives. Jesus sang with his disciples, knowing full well what was in store for Him the next day. I get upset if I have to go to the dentist. I can’t even imagine what Jesus went through. And yet He did. God our Father expressed His will and Jesus did it. Sacrificial love, laying down for another love, Jesus literally gave His all, because of love. That is the greatest demonstration of love, ever, considering who Jesus was and is.

    There is one thing that I disagree with you on regarding sex. Sometimes, if your wife is not receptive or whatever, even that can be laid down because what you are doing there is placing her needs above your own, so yes, even sex can be in question and laid down, because of love. Giving her time, attention and being faithful is what should be the norm.
    Thank you so much for this post. Grace and blessings my friend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you Bruce. I guess only Jesus could sing in a situation like that. I know I couldn’t. But your right…the ridicule, the beating, the humiliation of the cross and yet He did it all for us! Praise God.

      I agree on the sex part. Maybe I didn’t word it properly. When I was married I did set my need for sex aside several times and not “press” the issue but my desire for her never waned (hope I spelled that right). I always wanted and honestly needed that connection…that bonding. I hope that makes sense.

      God bless brother!

      Like

  6. Thank you for answering this question. It’s another mystery of the universe that we have to make the best conclusion about based on what we know. I feel like you’ve got it tho! This was very wise

    Liked by 1 person

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