Love

The word "love" is significant in the Bible. It is used over 310 times in the King James Version of the Bible and is used to describe a wide range of relationships, from the love between God and humanity to the love between spouses and friends. If you account for the variant Hebrew and Greek words described below, "love" is found 746 times.

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word for love is "ahava." This word can be translated as "devotion," "attachment," or "loyalty." It is used to describe the love between God and humanity, as well as the love between people. For example, in the book of Deuteronomy, God says, "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might." (Deuteronomy 6:5)

Four main Hebrew words for love are used in the Old Testament of the Bible:

• Ahavah (אהבה) is the most common Hebrew word for love. It is often translated as "devotion," "attachment," or "loyalty." It is used to describe the love between God and humanity, as well as the love between people.

• Chesed (חסד) is often translated as "kindness," "mercy," or "grace." It describes God's love for humanity and the love between people.

• Rah'ah (רחמים) is often translated as "pity," "compassion," or "mercy." It describes God's love for humanity and the love between people.

• Dod (דוד) is often translated as "beloved" or "darling." It is used to describe the love between a man and a woman.

It is important to note that the Hebrew words for love do not always have the same meaning as the English word "love." For example, ahava can be used to describe both romantic love and platonic love. Additionally, the meaning of the Hebrew words for love can change depending on the context in which they are used.

For example, chesed can be used to describe God's love for humanity, but it can also be used to describe a person's kindness to another person.

The various Hebrew words for love can express a wide range of emotions, from deep affection to simple kindness. They are essential to the Bible's message of love and compassion.

There are three main Koine Greek words for love that are used in the New Testament of the Bible:

• Agape (ἀγάπη) is the most common Greek word for love. It is often translated as "charity," "unconditional love," or "selfless love." It describes God's love for humanity and the love between people.

• Philia (φιλία) is often translated as "friendship," "brotherly love," or "affection." It describes the love between friends, family members, and fellow believers.

• Storge (στοργη), refers to a natural love, such as the love between parent and child.

• Eros (ἔρως) is often translated as "romantic love," "sexual desire," or "passion." It is used to describe the love between a man and a woman.

It is important to note that the Koine Greek words for love do not always have the same meaning as the English word "love." For example, agape can be used to describe both romantic love and platonic love. Additionally, the meaning of the Koine Greek words for love can change depending on the context in which they are used.

For example, philia can be used to describe a person's love for God, but it can also be used to describe their love for their spouse.

The different Koine Greek words for love can express many emotions, from deep affection to simple kindness. They are essential to the New Testament's message of love and compassion.

The word "love" is essential to understanding the Bible's message. It is a word that is used to describe the most important relationships in our lives, and it is a word that is used to call us to love others as God loves us.

Here are some of how the word "love" is used in the Bible:

• Love between God and humanity: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)

• Love between spouses: "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it." (Ephesians 5:25)

• Love between friends: "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17)

• Love between neighbors: "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (Matthew 22:39)

• Love for enemies: "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)

"Love" is a powerful word that can transform our lives. We can build relationships based on compassion, forgiveness, and grace when we love others as God loves us.

3 Circles Gospel Presentation

The 3 Circles Gospel Presentation

See the circle labeled “Brokenness?” There are several arrows out from it and looping back to ‘Brokennes.’ These arrows represent that no matter what we do, our lives boomerang back to brokenness.

We live in a world of brokenness, full of hurting people hurting each other. We try to escape brokenness by focusing on career, gaining money, overachieving, drugs, gambling, or alcohol. But all this just leads to greater brokenness. For most, our lives are a long string of failed relationships. But in the end, I just felt more pain.

The second circle, “God’s Design,” above represents that brokenness was not God’s original design! God’s design was perfect, like Himself, with no brokenness present.

The arrow from God’s Design to Brokenness is labeled “Sin.” We have rebelled against God and walked away from His perfect design. The Bible calls this sin, and this leaves us in brokenness. Are you familiar with the concept of sin? Do you see this in your own life?”

The third circle is below and between the first two (forming an upside-down triangle of circles), labeled “Jesus” above it. God saw we could not escape our brokenness alone, so He demonstrated his love towards us! Follow the down arrow below Jesus’ name inside the circle. God sent Jesus to the earth. Jesus was perfect and lived a perfect life because He was God. Next, there is a cross next to the down arrow. Jesus suffered a horrible death on the cross to take our sins upon Himself. Follow the up-arrow next to the cross. Then Jesus rose again, proving that He has power over death! He’s alive!

Follow the line from Brokenness to Jesus, and see the king’s crown, which stands for Turn and Believe (or follow. Jesus tells all people to repent and turn from your sins. He also tells us to believe that He died for your sins, that God raised Him from the dead, and to follow Jesus as king of your life. Jesus promises that if you do that, you will be forgiven and restored to God’s design!”

Now, Follow the line from Jesus to God’s Design labeled “Restored.” If we turn and believe in Jesus, we can leave this world of brokenness and be restored into a relationship with God and pursue His design.”

Follow the line from God’s Design to Brokenness labeled “Go” above it. More than that, God sends us back into this “Brokenness” to tell others about the good news of Jesus Christ.”

Question: Where do you see yourself? Are you in God’s perfect design, or are you in brokenness?”

If you want to change, please reach out via email, explain how we can help you, and provide contact information. Send it to the Divinity Journal, and we will happily help you align yourself with God’s perfect design.

The Life and Teachings of Jesus

The Life and Teachings of Jesus

According to Google Trends, the most-asked question in search engine requests about Jesus is "What did Jesus do?" This question has been asked millions of times in recent years, reflecting many people's curiosity about the life and teachings of Jesus.

Other popular questions about Jesus include:

• Who was Jesus?
• What did Jesus say about Love?
• What did Jesus say about forgiveness?
• What did Jesus say about suffering?
• What did Jesus say about death?
• What did Jesus say about the afterlife?

These questions reflect the deep spiritual and philosophical significance of Jesus' life and teachings. They also reflect the continuing relevance of Jesus' message to people of all faiths and backgrounds.

Here are some additional statistics about search engine requests about Jesus:

• The peak search volume for questions about Jesus is during the Easter season.
• The most common countries where people search for information about Jesus are the United States, India, and Brazil.
• English, Hindi, and Portuguese are the most common languages used in search engine queries about Jesus.

These statistics suggest that Jesus is a global interest figure and that people constantly seek to learn more about him.

The person and teachings of Jesus Christ have been the subject of theological reflection, scholarly investigation, and devotional focus for two millennia. This post explores key aspects of Jesus' identity and teachings from an evangelical perspective, relying on the King James Version of the Bible as the authoritative text. Specifically, we will examine who Jesus was, what he did, and what he taught about Love, forgiveness, suffering, death, and the afterlife.

Who Was Jesus?

From an evangelical standpoint, Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the second person of the Trinity, who took on human flesh to accomplish the work of redemption. The Gospel of John opens with a profound declaration: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). This "Word" became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ (John 1:14). Jesus is both fully God and fully man, a doctrine known as the hypostatic union. He was born of a virgin (Matthew 1:23), lived a sinless life (Hebrews 4:15), and claimed to be the only way to God (John 14:6).

A 2-minute video answering the question, who was Jesus?

What Did Jesus Do?

Jesus' earthly ministry was multifaceted, including teaching, healing, and performing miracles. However, the crux of his mission was to offer himself as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. Jesus' death on the cross was the atonement for sin, satisfying the justice of God. As it is written, "For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:45). His resurrection from the dead validated his claims and accomplished the victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

What Did Jesus Say About Love?

Jesus' teachings on Love were revolutionary. He summarized the entire Law by two commandments: to love God and to love one's neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). He extended the concept of neighbor to include even one's enemies, saying, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). Love, in the teachings of Jesus, is not merely an emotion but an action, a commitment to the well-being of others.

What Did Jesus Say About Forgiveness?

Forgiveness is another cornerstone of Jesus' teachings. He taught his disciples to forgive others unconditionally, as God forgives us. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus instructs, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). He further emphasized the importance of forgiveness in the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35), teaching that God's forgiveness of our sins is the basis for our forgiveness of others.

What Did Jesus Say About Suffering?

Jesus did not shy away from the topic of suffering; instead, he presented it as an inevitable part of human existence and discipleship. He said, "In the world, ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Jesus himself suffered immensely, culminating in his crucifixion, thereby sanctifying suffering as a means through which believers can participate in his redemptive work (Philippians 3:10).

What Did Jesus Say About Death?

Jesus spoke of death not as an end but as a transition. He said, "I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live" (John 11:25). His own resurrection guarantees eternal life for those who believe in him.

What Did Jesus Say About the Afterlife?

Jesus spoke clearly about the reality of an afterlife, describing heaven and hell as literal places. He promised eternal life to those who believe in him, saying, "In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you" (John 14:2). Conversely, he warned about the reality of eternal separation from God, often using parables like that of the rich man and Lazarus to illustrate the point (Luke 16:19-31).

According to the Bible, Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came to redeem humanity. His teachings on Love, forgiveness, suffering, death, and the afterlife are not just moral guidelines but transformative truths rooted in the reality of his person and work. Understanding Jesus' teachings within the framework of his divine identity and redemptive mission provides a coherent and compelling vision of Christian faith and practice.

Do you have questions? Please contact me at Divinity Journal

Why did God Make the Old Covenant of the Law, When Jesus Was the Ultimate Answer?

Why did God Make the Old Covenant of the Law, When Jesus Was the Ultimate Answer?

A question was posed: Why did God make the Old Covenant of the Law, i.e., the Mosaic Law, if Jesus was with Him in the beginning, and was God's plan for salvation? This is a good question. 

The Old Covenant, also known as the Mosaic Law, serves multiple purposes that are consistent with the overarching plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. Here are some reasons why God instituted the Old Covenant, even though Jesus was with Him from the beginning:

To Reveal God's Holiness and Righteousness

The Law serves as a reflection of God's character—His holiness, righteousness, and justice. It sets the standard for what is good and right, thereby revealing the nature of God to His people.

To Expose Sin

The Law acts as a "mirror," showing humanity its sinful nature. Romans 3:20 says, "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin." The Law makes it clear that humanity falls short of God's standards.

To Lead People to Christ

The Apostle Paul describes the Law as a "schoolmaster" or "guardian" that leads us to Christ. In Galatians 3:24, the Apostle Paul tells us, "Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster [to bring us] unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith." (KJV). By revealing our inability to achieve righteousness on our own, the Law points us to our need for a Savior.

To Govern Social and Religious Life

The Mosaic Law also had a practical function: it governed the social, ethical, and religious aspects of Israelite life. This helped maintain order and justice in society, and it set the Israelites apart as God's chosen people.

To Foreshadow Christ

Many aspects of the Law, including its sacrifices and festivals, serve as types or foreshadows of Christ and His work. For example, the Passover lamb is seen as a foreshadowing of Jesus, the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" John 1:29 (KJV).

To Establish a Covenant Relationship

The Old Covenant was a binding agreement between God and Israel. It was part of the unfolding covenantal structure that would ultimately be fulfilled in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ.

Continuity and Fulfillment in Christ

Jesus did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it. Matthew 5:17 says, "Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil," (KJV). In Him, the righteous requirements of the Law are met, and through faith in Him, believers are justified. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life," John 3:16 KJV.

So, the bottom line is that the Old Covenant was not a "mistake" or an "afterthought." It was a crucial part of God's sovereign plan to prepare the world for the coming of Jesus Christ, the Savior. It served specific purposes that were both practical and theological, all of which were fulfilled and made complete in Jesus.