Biblical Answer

The Unchanging Nature of Love

In the chaos of everyday life, love is not subject to fluctuations but is as unchangeable as God's being. This love is gratuitous and keeps a faster hold of us than we can hold onto it. It is not founded on the attractiveness of its objects, but rather on the character of the one who loves. As the Bible says, "Many waters cannot quench love, nor will rivers overflow it; if a man would give for the sake of his love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised" (Song of Solomon 8:7). This love is not something that can be bought or sold, but rather it is a gift that is given freely by God to those who love Him.

The Characteristics of Love

Love involves having a servant's heart, a willingness to count others better than yourself and to serve and look out for their interests as well as your own (Galatians 5:13b-14; Philippians 2:3). It is not about getting what you want, but rather about giving and sacrificing for the benefit of others. This is the kind of love that is described in the Bible as being "as strong as death, jealousy is as severe as Sheol; its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord" (Song of Solomon 8:6). This love is not something that can be turned on and off at will, but rather it is a consistent and enduring part of a person's character.

The Power of Love in Everyday Life

In the midst of chaos and uncertainty, love can be a source of strength and comfort. It is not about feeling a certain way, but rather about choosing to act in a certain way. As the Bible says, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres" (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). This is the kind of love that can change the world, one person at a time. It is a love that is worth fighting for, and it is a love that can bring hope and joy to those around us, even in the midst of chaos and uncertainty. Jesus said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:34-35). This is the kind of love that we are called to live out in our everyday lives, and it is a love that has the power to change the world.