Love - Is it different than lust?
Love and lust both imply intense emotions and actions. With regards to holidays or celebrations, Love stirs a deep and enduring emotional regard for another individual. From that initial infatuation to a life-long commitment, love embraces our relationships. Love’s expression ranges from affection/fondness to devotion/passion.
In contrast, Lust occurs when there is:
- an intense sexual desire
- an uncontrolled craving, or
- an overwhelming appetite for pleasure/delight (Webster’s, Random House, American Heritage Dictionary).
While emphasis is placed on the sexual lust, any insatiable desire for power, money, or object is also lustful. As one of The Seven Deadly Sins, lust seems the most insidious. The continual longing with the mind soon gives way to committing the act. As a person’s heart becomes hardened, they become insensitive “giving themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more” (Ephesians 4:18-19). Soon, the state of one’s heart becomes as deadly as the act itself (Matthew 8:28).
Love and Lust- What does God say?
Those who would suggest lust and love are counterparts are ignoring God. God created our capacity to love. “Let us love one another for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God” (1 John 4:7).
From a worldview, lust and love seem interchangeable. The world offers fantasizing in place of experiencing the reality of God’s love. The disciple Paul speaks of the choices one faces regarding love and lust (1 Timothy 3:1-5). We are warned, “Do not love the world or anything in the world . . . for everything in the world -- the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and boasting of what he has and does -- come not from the Father [God] but from the world” (1 John 2:15-16). Through His Son, Jesus Christ, God offers us a fulfilling relationship based on His affection and devotion -- God Is Love. Love Lust Generates life (1 John 4:9-10) Corrupts (Ephesians 4:22) Practices Sincerity (Romans 12:9–10) Mocks (Jude 1:16) Brings Mercy (Ephesians 2:4–5) Condemns (2 Timothy 2:22, 26) Sacrifices (1 John 3:16) Craves (1 Corinthians 10:6–8) Protects and Trusts (1 Corinthians 13:7) Tempts and Hurts (1 Timothy 6:9–10) Gives Unconditionally (Romans 5:8) Robs Mortally (James 1:14–15) Endures Forever (Psalm 107)
Passes Away (1 John 2:17)
Love - A Description
Love is described in 1 Corinthians 13:
"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, 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.
Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
CAMPUS NIGHT EVENT IN PICTURES
WORSHIPING GOD - BOWING BEFORE HIM!
SAUTFES CHOIR PERFORMING
PRAISING GOD
HELPING OTHERS ACCEPTING CHRIST
AS THEIR LORD AND SAVIOUR
PEOPLE WHO ATTENDED THE CAMPUS NIGHT
WHAT IS PRAISE AND WORSHIP?
PRAISE AND WORSHIP - A NATURAL DESIRE
Praise and worship seems to be universal. Have you ever heard of an explorer finding a new tribe or culture that doesn't worship? Worship is a natural instinct and a basic need for every person. A simple definition of worship is to regard with great devotion or to honor as a divine being. Take a second to think about what you are most devoted to in this life and ask yourself, "Is it worthy of my devotion; do I worship a divine being?"
We don't all worship the same God, but everyone worships something or someone. Since we all worship, we should question the reason for this desire. The most logical conclusion is that we were created by a higher being for the very purpose of worship.
The ongoing quest of man is to find answers to the fundamental questions of human origin, human nature, and human destiny. There is one book that has the answers to all these questions, including our questions about worship. The Bible is the wonderful and mysterious book that God has chosen as a way to communicate with us.
God is the focus of our devotion in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. In Exodus 20:2-3, God says, "I am the LORD your God .....You shall have no other gods before me." In Matthew 4:10, Jesus says, "Worship the Lord your God and serve him only." So, worship is not merely a natural instinct, it's a command from God.
Praise and Worship - Love from the Heart
Many people think that praise and worship is only singing songs at church, but it is so much more! It is also a condition of your heart -- a willingness to exalt God and yield to his will. Worship is an expression of love and awe to the God who gives us more than we deserve. Whether you express your worship by singing, playing music, dancing or in some other way, remember that you are called to worship God with your every action, every day of your life. God is holy, loving, and worthy of all our worship and devotion.
"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." (Deut. 6:5)
