Lesson 19. My Ideas About Love and Reality

The world in which we live exerts a certain influence upon each of us. The society in which we grew up formed our understanding of many things and values; it shaped our mentality and way of thinking. I see this difference in thinking and in the scale of values very clearly when I move to another country or republic.

The understanding of God’s Love, given to this world as a great treasure for sinful humanity, has also undergone significant changes. Human sciences, the mass media, and godless philosophy have lowered the concept of love to such a base, animal level that everything intimate and personal is displayed publicly in the smallest detail. Love has been clothed in a pink heart and transformed into a way of life for weaklings, into sex, and into every kind of perversion.

The words “I love” are used to express passionate desire, interest, or attachment toward everyone and everything a person likes. With such concepts written within my heart, I begin asking God for love, while somewhere deep within my soul imagining an encounter with something tenderly pink, soft and fluffy like a kitten, kind and affectionate, smiling and welcoming. In theory, this is how it should be—but not in this world. Yet somewhere in the depths of my subconscious, I still expect something similar from those near me whom I decide to love.

The world has an unwritten law: a tooth for a tooth, an eye for an eye, and love for love—that is, you give to me, and I give the same to you. This understanding has become firmly rooted in my mind. When I begin asking God for love, and sometimes even without prayer decide to treat those near me with love, I receive it and see how it acts, giving all of me to people and overturning all my ideas about it. In response, I expect similar treatment, because I love and do good, and it is customary to repay good with good. I move to a new level of thinking and decide to fill my life with virtue. I hasten to do good, and I enjoy it. In a certain sense, I even become a volunteer in order to establish myself in selfless service to those near me. My expectations are partially fulfilled. Even when opening a school of goodness and love, somewhere in my soul I expect recognition and respect for such a good undertaking. And this comes, because the good seed sown with love and goodness springs up and bears abundant fruit in the hearts of those near me in the form of smiles, affectionate words, friendship, support, gratitude, mutual understanding, and love in return. All this is from God. We were created by God to love. There is nothing wrong with the expectations described; Eternity is arranged in this way—to repay goodness with love and love with greater love. Friends, do not depart from this path.

But what happens in reality? Love sobers me because I see my ideas about it shatter against the rocks of human selfishness, pride, lust, love of pleasure, covetousness, and idolatry. In response to my love, I often “receive a blow to the head” in the form of streams of evil, hatred, and hostility that come crashing down upon me from every side, including from people dear to me, whose persistent indifference and obvious hostility discourage me. Where does this come from? Is this how my love should be repaid? I am speaking not about distant acquaintances, but about those who are friends, very close to me, dear to me, and related to me by blood.

At first, it is very difficult to understand myself. Resentment pursues me, and I withdraw, close myself off, and desire to do nothing for anyone.

But the Holy Spirit tenderly asks whether I desire to learn something. He directs me to Calvary and then asks what I see. I look upon the crucified Christ, remember His life filled with love, goodness, and light, and become deeply ashamed. Much immediately appears in its true light. I come to myself and repent, no longer expecting anything good from people. I look to God, desiring to see and hear only His approval. I understand why I need the power of love in all its fullness and depth. Without it, I am simply incapable of doing anything good for my neighbor. I will not be able to reveal love through myself. The greatest thing I can do without God is obtain a kind little dog for companionship, friendship, and mutual love. Yet even in such speechless creatures, the action of the Eternal principle of agape is evident, because the loyalty of these animals and their selfless love unto death can teach me much and partly reveal the power of this gift. Animals, however, do not possess freedom of choice. Instincts have been placed within them, and these guide them. They do not possess what belongs to human beings: will, reason, and intellect. It is through these qualities of the soul that God works with a person.

I do not desire to intensify the darkness. Everything is not so gray and dark. Love works miracles even in the hearts of selfish people. It is given to kindle light in this gloomy world, so that the true beauty of God’s character may be revealed to people through me, so that through this those near me may receive hope for a better life, so that their minds may be drawn to Jesus, and through Him they may receive the gift of salvation. Love is given to show the visible and invisible worlds the holiness of God’s law, which can be obeyed in the spirit of love. People must see that even now it is possible to possess all the blessings God has promised.

I write this to you so that when you encounter the spirit of selfishness and darkness, you will not become disappointed or lose heart. Satan still exists. Sin still has a place in our world. Demons move everywhere, seeking someone to tempt. But thanks to God and the ministry of the Good Angels, we are alive, protected, and able to learn many good things from Jesus.

Love is struggle and victory. Love has already overcome this world. It is above all the world’s ambitions. It exists, and it is available to everyone who asks the Heavenly Father for it with the faith of a child. Such a person will receive love in the Name of Jesus.

Please read Psalm 109:2–5.
Please share whether you have experienced in your life something similar to what David describes. If so, what way out did you find from this situation?
Does verse 4 give you a clue about what to do?
Read Psalm 119:42, 51, 61, 69, 71, and 95. Do you find a reflection of your own experiences in these verses?
Please share with me what you understood from this lesson.
Read Colossians 3:14. What perfections are being discussed here?
Do you believe that agape love is available to everyone?