Lesson 44. The Science of Love

What is the Bible to us, and what influence does it have upon us? Viewed from the outside, it is simply a printed volume with thin pages. But the Bible differs from other books in that it is called—and truly is—the Word of God, written by people moved by the Holy Spirit. The pages of this Book give us unique knowledge about God, His character, His love, and the plan of Salvation. We can also read in the Bible about the lives of believers and the history of different nations.

The Bible gives us information about Who God is, how I should live, and what will happen to me if I act in one way or another. From the pages of this Book, God Himself addresses me, desiring to reveal Himself to me, show me His will, teach me something, and change my thinking and worldview.

If I declare that the Bible presents only theory or merely the opinions of ordinary people, I risk understanding nothing for myself. If I study Holy Scripture as a historical book or a book of good advice, I will learn history and find a few useful things, but I will miss what is most important and receive no real benefit. The Bible will become a source of information to me and nothing more. I know people who read a great deal and thereby broaden their horizons, but this does not change their lives.

If, however, I turn to the Bible for new knowledge and help, desiring answers to my questions and wise counsel, I find them. If I seek to know God, understand what He desires from me, what He has prepared for me, and Who He is, I receive answers to these questions and expectations as well. The Bible suddenly comes alive and begins speaking with me. It does not merely give me information; it changes my thinking and my life. I begin hearing the Voice of God addressed to me from the pages of my Bible. I communicate with God, and He speaks with me. I become a different person. By faith in the invisible, I comprehend the eternal—even though I study the very same Book as other people.

Why does it help one person and become a source of life, love, and inspiration, while for another it remains mere words and empty information? Everything depends upon the expectation with which a person approaches the Word of God.

I can say of myself that the Bible changed me for the better. It revealed the plan of my salvation to me. In it I learned about God’s mercy and justice toward me. Through it I came to know God the Father and Jesus Christ, Whom He sent for my redemption. I believed God’s promises concerning me, and they have been and continue to be fulfilled in my life. I was born again under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and I am preparing for Eternal life among holy beings. The Bible revealed my sins, and I repented of them. I brought them to God, and He set me free. God gave me a new heart and, as He promised, wrote His law within my thoughts. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; I live by faith in the Son of God and am His friend, having close and intimate fellowship with my Savior Jesus. All this is dissolved into my faith and becomes real and visible. Then deeds follow, telling everyone about the inward changes within me.

And yet I possess the very same Bible as other people.

Let us now try applying this same approach to our School of Love. I have no desire to exalt or single out anything. But please understand the principle involved in our approach to learning. If I believe that the Author of this School is the Holy Spirit, Who teaches me the Heavenly science of love, then He Himself will produce within me the changes and actions I desire to experience.

As a human being, I can do only what lies within my ability. I can tell something, describe my experiences, share my thoughts, and record my discoveries about love. This becomes information accessible to every person. If all these things are merely simple human philosophy, the reader will learn something and nothing more. But if the information has been presented under the influence of the Holy Spirit as a revelation from above, then behind these simple words stands the One Who will communicate their power and meaning and produce the changes contained within His plans. The result depends upon the approach I choose in studying the science of love. I am learning together with you, presenting what I have experienced during the last twenty-seven years as I acquired the gift of God’s love, underwent the testing of faith, and established practical skills. The fire the Lord kindled in my heart cannot be contained. I long to speak, write, and preach about it. When I sow seeds of love, in time I see them sprout. I rejoice that someone’s life has become better and more beautiful. I love, and I understand what love is. I am not ashamed to speak about it or to tell of all the beauty of God’s love that has found a place in my heart and mind. I do this joyfully, expecting nothing in return. I have already heard many things said against me, and I always take them to Jesus and ask, “Is this true?” He calms me and shows me His hands, enabling me to understand what reward awaits me. I humble myself and continue to love.

There are no losses in love and nothing I will regret when I do something with love. The science of love begins with the transformation of my heart. I learn the theory described in the Bible and ask God to bring it into my life. He begins revealing to me the mysteries of love’s power, changing my thoughts and feelings step by step. I do and speak what fills my heart.

When I fill my thoughts with love, it begins cleansing me from within and driving sin from my life. This is a very painful process, but one that must be experienced. When I ask a physician to heal me, the physician does not promise painless procedures and sweet medicines, but asks me to endure while doing what is necessary. My Heavenly Physician likewise does not promise easy paths, but assures me that He will be near throughout all my sorrows and pain and will carry me in His arms when I feel entirely overwhelmed. God gives me hope for a better life, and this hope becomes reality.

Love is the beautiful condition of a soul born for Eternal life with God. It is complete freedom from the power of sin. It is unending heartfelt joy and delight. It is understanding God’s will and being able to hear His voice amid the noise of this world. It is the way of thinking of a righteous person, not a subject of an earthly kingdom.

Love is Christianity in its pure form, without unnecessary words, but with the expression of affection and hope. It is abundant life and continual fellowship with Jesus in all one’s small affairs and cares.

Love is a science that I am learning to comprehend in this world and will continue studying throughout Eternity. I experience its authority and become convinced that it is strong and limitless. Love is mighty, and this frightens me. Who am I that God should entrust such a weapon to me? Yet He not only entrusts it but teaches me how to wield it. Love is the most powerful force in the entire Universe. It can demolish strongholds and create something new and beautiful within broken hearts, giving peace, joy, and hope for a beautiful future in the company of God Himself. Love must begin in my life at some point so that it may never, never end. And this is real. God teaches it. This is the goal He has appointed for all His children in their spiritual growth. Those who do not have time to attain it before they go to their rest will continue learning throughout Eternity, while we who remain alive still have much to comprehend. Jesus Himself is our Teacher of love, writing this eternal law within the heart.

In the light of this lesson, please read 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 1 Thessalonians 4:9; John 7:16–18; and 14:26.
Do you know any other Bible verses that correspond to this lesson?
What did you understand from this lesson?
What revelations did you receive while studying this subject?
Does God act directly, teaching each person individually, or does He use His people for this purpose?
As you study in this School, do you see the influence of the Holy Spirit upon your heart?
Is love a science, a pleasant experience, or something else?