The Encourager
“Great Lovers in the Bible by Mike Richardson”
It is a sad picture in life in what people constitute as "love stories." Some modern writers display lust as love and people are confused about what love truly is. There has been at the same time outstanding love stories-es that have gone down in history. Let us note some Great Love stories-es in Scripture.
(i)Some Loved the Wrong Things.
Notice some were in love with the wrong things.
(1) Diotrephes 3 Jno.9 Here is a man who had a great love. But, the love he had was for power in the local church. Here was a man who loved preemienence, he desired the respect of others, etc. He took authority that was not his putting out people from the church, etc. He loved to assr.me power that was not his.
(2) Rich Young Ruler Mk.10 This young man loved his riches and possessions. Jesus said, "go sell what you have." This troubled the young man, He appeared to have a love for the Lord and the Bible clearly says Jesus loved him, but the young man was divided because he loved his possessions. Do you see the love of that young man?
(3) Demas Loved the Present World 2 Tim.4 There was something in Thessalonica that lured Demas. We do not if it was something sinful. It could have been something that in itself was good, but to forsake Paul and the Lord for whatever was in Thessalonica was a great love, but not in the proper order. God comes first, anything we put before God becomes our idol.
(ii) Some Who Loved Correctly. Now consider some who loved correctly.
(1) Mary loved Jesus Jno.12 She expressed extravagant love in John 12:3 when she took a pound of very costly oil of spikenard and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair. She displayed her love to the right one in the right way.
(2) Abraham loved God Jas.2:23 James said that Abraham believed God. This man obeyed God by faith. He was justified by working out his faith lJas.2t24. He was called the friend of God. Jesus said in Jno.14:15 "If you love Me, keep My commandments." How I show my love for God is by obeying His Word.
(3) Paul Loved the Brethren and the Lost. He loved his brethren and was concerned about the church. 2 Cor.12:28 He loved the lost and sought to teach them the truth. Rom.10:1-3
(iii) The Greatest Love Story of All Time.
The greatest love story is God's love for us. He loved us when we were: sinful, enemies,lIost, severed from Him, helpless, hopeless and had nothing to give Him (Acts 17).
(1) God gave His Son. Rom.5:8; I Jno.3:5; 4: 9
God is willing to be reconciled with us. We were the ones that "divorced" that caused the separation by our sin. He is willing to take us to be His bride (Eph. 5). One day the Bridegroom will return for His bride (church) to be with her forever. John speaks about the great wedding Supper in heaven (Rev.19:7-9;17). In heaven the church (the bride) will be presented to Christ (the Groom) to live with Him forever. Heaven is described as a place of no more tears (Rev. 21:4). This is the only time a story end with the words, ..they lived happily ever after" for it will be for eternity.
