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Love, Oh Love

Lionel Richie’s song "Love, Oh Love" (1992) was very famous and well-loved. I am not sure where Lionel stands with God now, but he is right: “Love, oh Love, what a blessed thing.”

As we’ll be spending 6 weeks on the spiritual aspect of Love, it is appropriate for me to write about it. You would have received an email in which Tony highlighted 5 reasons for this series.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord".  (Romans 8:38-39)

In Hebrew, the primary word for love is Ahava (אהבה), which conveys an active, self-giving commitment rather than mere emotion. Derived from the root hav (to give),  Ahava implies a deep, intentional devotion that manifests through action and sacrifice, mirroring divine love. It encompasses romantic, familial, and covenantal relationships, as well as loyal devotion to God.

God loved us first (1 John 4:10). We love because He loved us first (1 John 4:19). We could spend a whole year unpacking these few verses, and all the brain cells and debates in the universe will still not be able to comprehend the depth of Love, coming from the One who is Love.

I urge you to read 1 John and allow the Holy Spirit to reveal more about love than you have ever known.

Charles Swindoll wrote: Love. No greater theme can be emphasized. No stronger message can be proclaimed. No finer song can be sung. No better truth can be imagined.”

Love. Whoever loves God must also love his brother. Scripture says we cannot claim to love God and hate others. Let the love of God change us to be the faith community He had in mind when He called Howick Community Church to be a beacon on a hill.

Blessings and love.