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Qualities of a pure heart - 7. Qualities. Determination – undivided, prioritized & resolved Development – integrity, patience, humility and contentment Results – kindness, dignity and confidence Today – Motive – love!. Love. In Greek, 4 words translated “love” in English.
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Qualities • Determination – undivided, prioritized & resolved • Development – integrity, patience, humility and contentment • Results – kindness, dignity and confidence • Today – Motive – love!
Love • In Greek, 4 words translated “love” in English. • 2 in the Bible – φιλέω(phileo) and ἀγάπη(agape)
Love (ἀγάπη) • “to have love for someone or something, based on sincere appreciation, loving concern.” (L&N, 25:43) • “to love, to be full of good will, to exhibit the same” (Thayer)
Love (ἀγάπη) • “”the characteristic word of Christianity.” (Vine’s)Gal. 5:22-23, 2 Pet. 1:7, Col. 3:12-14 • Caring enough to sacrifice for what is best.
Love • The motive that governs every relationship we are in • God’s love – John 3:16 • Jesus’ love – John 15:13 • Our love for Him – Mark 12:30-31 • Our brethren – John 13:34-35 • Family – Ephesians 5:25-33 • Neighbors – Gal. 5:14, Jas. 2:8 • Enemies – Matthew 5:43-44
Love • 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 • Suffers long – Patience • Is Kind - Kindness • Does not envy – content • Does not parade itself – humility • Does not behave rudely - dignity
Love • 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 • Does not seek its own – Unselfish • Is not provoked – self-control • Thinks no evil – gives the benefit of the doubt
Love • 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 • Does not rejoice in iniquity, rejoices in truth – not endorsing ungodliness • Bears all things, believes all things, endures all things • Never fails – always there!
Love • Must come from a pure heart. • It will manifest itself • Its importance, 1 Cor. 13:1-3
Love • Matt. 22:37, Love God with all your heart, soul and mind. • Col. 2:2, hearts encouraged…knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding.
Love • 2 Thess. 3:5, Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God. • 2 Tim. 2:22, Flee youthful lusts, pursue righteousness, faith, love…out of a pure heart
Love • 2 1 Pet. 1:22, Love one another fervently with a pure heart. • Romans 5:5, the love of God has been poured out in our hearts (cf. 1 John 4:19)
Love • That the pure heart is motivated by love is seen in numerous other texts • Rom. 12:9, “Let love be without hypocrisy.” • 1 Cor. 8:1, “Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.”
Love • 1 Cor. 16:14, “Let all that you do be done with love.” • Gal. 5:13, “through love serve one another” • Col. 3:12-14, Above all, “put on love which is the bond of perfection.” • 2 Pet. 1:7, Gal. 5:22
Love • How is love demonstrated? • By loving God – 1 John 4:19, Obeying Him – John 15:9-10, 14:15, 1 John 5:3 • By loving others – Matt. 22:39, John 13:34-35, Rom. 13:8-10, 1 Pet. 4:8
Love • How is love demonstrated? • Forgiveness, a practical example to consider Matt. 6:14-15 (cf. Lk. 15:11-31) • Matt. 18:21-22, Lk. 17:3-4 – How often? 70x7 • Col. 3:13, Eph. 4:32
May love prevail from our hearts as we put on its qualities!