The Consummation of Love as described in the Bible is that God first loved us and sent us His Son Jesus to die on the Cross for us.
We love Him because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19
God demonstrates His love for us in this, that while we were still sinners Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. (1 John 3:16)
There are different Types of Love
Most people are familiar with a certain type of love as most youth probably equate love to sex but as we get to know God through Jesus Christ we experience a more fulfilling love that is lasting and doesn’t break our hearts as most people go in and out of relationships seeking the next dopamine high that “makes them feel in love”. Love in God is so much more and prepares our hearts for lasting loving relationships with one another that go beyond romantic relationships.
Agape - God’s unconditional love (Romans 8:35-39) This love makes me think of God’s love through Jesus Christ as He sent Him to die on the Cross in our place. God loves us like a Father loves His kids in a way that we could do anything or say anything but that doesn’t stop God from loving us any less because we are His children. The Love of a mother or father is like this as they would do anything to give their kids love and see them happy but out of reverence children don’t go so far as to hurt their parents on purpose but appreciate the sacrifice their parents give to show them, love, throughout their lifetime.
Phileo - brotherly or friendship love without romance - This is what Jesus is referring to when he tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Our love for others should be a friendship type of love. It is one of the most purest without any form of romance involved.
Eros - Erotic love is what we are fed through pop culture from a young age and what many young people believe is love. This is where people get heartbroken where romantic relationships last for a little while until we are ready to seek the next Oxytocin and Dopamine high. This isn’t really considered love but lust. We know what Jesus says about lust (Matthew 5:28).
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
The best way I can think about romantic love is by enjoying your partner by getting to know them but knowing that once the Oxytocin runs out you have to lean on Jesus’ love to tap into a Phileo type of love going through cycles of trust and friendship with your partner as you grow into each other to keep a lasting committed relationship that doesn’t get “boring”. This is something many young people don’t want to commit to as once times get tough they exit the relationship in favor of something new and fresh. It’s a problem many young people experience in today’s culture.
More onto the Type of Love Jesus Calls Us to Share
Jesus calls us to keep His Commandments
The love that God wants us to share with Him and others is simple. To love Him above all things and love our neighbors as ourselves. If you notice this theme is repeated a lot in the Bible as Jesus tells us to keep His commandments. (John 15:9-17; Luke 10:27).
“You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your being, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27)
As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
and what are His commandments?
These things I command you, that you love one another (v. 17).
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? ( 1 John 4:20).
Forgiveness in Relationships is Key
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your tresspasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)
It is important to note that if we do not forgive one another we are in danger of not having our sins forgiven and missing out on our salvation in Christ. Maybe this is why God doesn’t answer our prayers because we are blocking the passageway to our prayer life and intimacy with God by holding on to baggage we should let go of with a brother or sister on earth.
Forgiveness is a Commandment We Should Keep to Obey God out of Love to Him
Forgiveness is something we should always consider when dealing with other people as we show the love of Jesus to our neighbors.
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” 22 Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
When Peter asked this he was already thinking about how many times he could forgive until he could retaliate but Jesus’ answer insinuated to forgive up to infinite times.
We really shouldn’t hold on to bitterness or resentment when dealing with people who have hurt us. It really does rob our inner peace and keeps many people from sleeping well at night. It even hurts our health as many people who hold bitterness and resentment develop forms of arthritis and other illnesses that visually cripple their appearance. God can’t answer your prayers if you’re not willing to let go of that hurt. We could even go so far as losing our salvation and going to hell if we die in our sleep without forgiving another person.
And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, (Ephesians 4:26)
Unforgiveness blocks our prayers as we wonder why our prayers aren’t getting answered. It grieves God to see how we treat brothers, sisters or even nonbelievers who don’t know any better about the gospel since these are the souls that Jesus died for and our behavior should reflect Christ’s love drawing us closer to Him.
Who are we to chastise and not forgive the sinners that God has already forgiven by the blood Jesus spilled (Romans 5:8)? He died for them just like He died for you and me. We shouldn’t hold onto grudges or hold people accountable for what is already under the blood of Jesus.
I one time heard a saying of a young Colombian woman who says how she values her inner peace above most things in relationships with other people. She tries not to take anything personally. She doesn’t let insults or even compliments influence the stability of her inner peace. That is pretty impressive and something I began to adopt myself.
Conclusion
The purest type of love is unconditional, selfless, and forgiving. With Jesus at the center of our hearts we can approach earthly relationships with our neighbors in an attitude that makes us feel light as a feather. All grudges aside we can live happier and fuller with the love of Jesus in our hearts. We as individuals are responsible for our own happiness and not anyone else so we can approach others with care and respect the way God wants us to.
I hope you enjoyed this article, The Consummation of Love, and if you haven’t already received Jesus in your heart and would like to welcome Him into your life to experience His love and salvation repeat this prayer after me.
Prayer of Salvation in Jesus Christ
Dear Jesus,
I want to experience your love in my life. I believe you are my Lord and Savior and that you raised from the dead on the third day. Please, come into my heart today. Amen.
That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
That’s it, now you are saved and the Angels in Heaven rejoice as you are added to God’s heavenly family. Smile Jesus loves you. :)