Session 5: True Love: Duty or Delight? (Part 1)

If you pursue your joy in God you will be a loving person.
You cannot be a loving person unless you pursue your joy in God.
2 Corinthians 8:1-4,8 - Illustration of biblical love.

It originates in the grace of God - Grace has come down from God in power.

• Poverty has not gone away.

• Affliction has increased.

• Abundance of joy is maintained.

• The joy have overflowed in a wealth of generosity.

• Joy arise from the grace of knowing Jesus.

Biblical reference: Hebrews 10:34; 2 Corinthians 6:10

John Piper's definition of biblical love:

• Love is grace-enabled, grace-enabled impulse to expand your joy in God by extending it to others.

• Love is the overflow of abundant joy in God that meets the needs of others. It should be love that overflowed from having the joy in God or else, our loving works are but filthy rags. If you do it with duty, it's not love.
  

I Corinthians 13:3 - What kind of motive we have defines our love.
Even if you sacrifice without the right motive it is hypocrisy and not love.

The Bible commands emotions.
Love involves more than sheer willpower!
God commands our emotions:

1. Gratitude is an emotion. Psalm 100:4
2. Hope is an emotion. Philippians 3:12-14
3. Joy/Rejoice is an emotion. Philippians 4:4
4. Sorrow/Weep is an emotion.
5. Compassion is an emotion.
6. Contentment is an emotion. Hebrews 13:5
   

Lesson:

1. God's glory and man's gladness can be one.
2. God is most glorified in you when you are satisfied in Him. You get satisfaction and God gets the glory.
3. You can't be a loving person to other people when you don't pursue your joy in God.