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Your Question:
When love is tested, what does it reveal about our true nature?
Answer:
When love is tested, it reveals our true nature. In the context of Christian theology, love is considered the final objective test of our Christian profession. This is because true love, in the sense of self-sacrifice, is not natural to human beings in their fallen state. Its existence in anyone is evidence of new birth and a deepening relationship with God. In 1 John 3:16-18, John writes, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can God's love be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth." The testing of love reveals whether our love is genuine or superficial. When we are faced with challenges and difficulties, do we respond with love and compassion, or do we become cold and unforgiving? Our response to these situations reveals our true character and whether we are truly born again. In 1 John 3:10-11, John writes, "This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because he had no love for God in him." This passage highlights the importance of love in our relationships with others and our relationship with God. The testing of love also reveals our dependence on God. When we are faced with trials and tribulations, do we turn to God for strength and guidance, or do we rely on ourselves and our own abilities? Our response to these situations reveals whether we are truly trusting in God and whether our love for Him is genuine. In 1 John 4:12-13, John writes, "No one has ever seen God; but if we love each other, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: in that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world." This passage highlights the importance of love in our relationship with God and how it reveals our dependence on Him.
Sources:
new testament background and message
thomas lea
letters of john
john stott
proverbs
lindsay wilson
introduction biblical ethics
robertson mcquilkin
christian apologetics
douglas groothius
practicing the way
john mark comer
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