Lesson 187. A Sober View of Love

There are many sciences, religions, teachings, and disciplines in the world, each of which gives knowledge. We are studying the science of agape love, considering comprehensively what it is and how it works in life.

Some people like it, some look at it with a smirk, while in others it arouses disgust and irritation. It will always be this way, and we should not be surprised at anything.

If we realistically consider what we are actually studying in our school and compare it by its degree of depth and complexity, then the teaching of agape love is probably the most difficult science of all those that can be comprehended in this world. And to understand and fully perceive it, we must have the mind of Christ and the instructive ministry of the Holy Spirit. With the mind alone, it will be impossible to understand and remember what is being revealed to us. We must also engage our whole heart, all our thoughts, and all our feelings in this.

But in this lesson, let us consider what love gives us, what advantages we have, what we lose, and what we gain. Let us speak about a person who believes in Christ, for those who have chosen this world will be lost forever because they do not believe in Jesus.

First, let us consider life without agape love. I think that all of us once lived this way, while some are still in this condition and feel very comfortable in it.

What happens to those who do not have love? All people look approximately the same, and my facial expression will reflect my mood. I also breathe and need food, drink, warmth, and clothing. My enthusiasm and creative abilities help me perform various kinds of work and carry out ministry. My mind is capable of absorbing Biblical truths and helps me develop to a certain level. I acquire the knowledge necessary for serving in the church and can improve my qualifications by studying at an institution of higher education, where I learn the science of salvation and other useful disciplines in even greater detail. But there is no subject there about love, friendship, and happiness. I will not be taught this in any school.

I see brief manifestations of love under certain circumstances, and that is enough for me to be like everyone else. And my entire church is at the level of development that I have reached.

But in the message to Laodicea, Christ offers Heavenly goods and personal relationships that are not dispensed to the whole church. They can be received only personally. And one of the prophetic goods is faith and love, which Jesus desires to sell to me in the very last time. Therefore, what was possible before will no longer pass in God’s foreknowledge.

The events of the last days are developing very rapidly before my eyes, and I understand that the battle for my soul will be very unusual, and I need something that will protect me at this time and keep my lamp burning when I hear the midnight cry that the Bridegroom is coming.

If I do not have love, then at some point in my life, amid the trials that have come upon me, I will understand that I am sounding brass, making much noise but having no value; that all my knowledge and skills profit me nothing; that all my sacrifices and my entire life are nothing; and that everything I have been taught is meaningless. For some reason, none of this works during a crisis. Although outwardly I continue to put on a brave face, inside me there is a storm, darkness, and fear. What will happen to me? Will I make it through this storm? I notice that all my experiences and knowledge are not enough to overcome my inner darkness, and I need something supernatural to carry me through it.

Without love, I risk losing my salvation, for my feelings do not know how to recognize sin accurately, much less how to fight it. I will wage war with my spiritual intellect, asking God to win this battle. But my house remains unoccupied after another victory, and the evil spirit can calmly return there. Where there is no love, anything can take root, and my condition becomes even worse.

Without love, I will never be able to know the depth of God’s love. For love attracts that which is like itself and reveals it in its own light. And God is Love, and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God. And how can I know the Creator without the Creator in my heart? It is like knowing everything about Him from books but not knowing Him personally. And a deep knowledge of God is very important.

Without love, in various trials I will most likely act according to the flesh, although I myself will not notice it, because I am a believer. The spirit of self-confidence can blind me, and I will confidently walk in darkness, knowing where everything is located in a familiar room. But any unfamiliar territory will bewilder me. I do not understand how much I need love for the final battle, but I am so accustomed to living without it that perhaps I will never feel a need for it. I am accustomed to doing everything without the Holy Spirit, and I think that I have enough knowledge to overcome everything. I believe in God’s power, that He will protect me in the last time as well, and my faith is able to move mountains; love has nothing to do with it. Let weak sisters who have nothing to do acquire it, while we will break through. It is not the first time. But something is not going as it always has. Victory is in my eyes, but emptiness is inside. It should not be this way.

You can continue this list yourselves.

What will happen to me if I accept agape love, if I comprehend this science, if, having set out upon this path, I do not turn away from it, even if it is very difficult or there is very little time? I think this is worth considering.

Love is the personal presence of Christ in my life, in my heart, and in my fellowship with Him. It is an entire ocean of opportunities and prospects for the future. It is new trials of my faith and continual victories in the spirit of love and truth. It is rapid individual spiritual growth that gives new knowledge but does not exalt my heart above others. It opens many doors for serving my neighbors.

Love enlightens my eyes, and I can see even in the darkness, understanding where I am going and what I will encounter, how to avoid it, or how to overcome it. Love brings continual true happiness into my life. And although the trials of my love sometimes discourage me and lead me to review and reconsider many earthly and spiritual values, they are nevertheless quite easy to endure. And when everything has been resolved and left behind, I understand that I have risen still higher—not in my own eyes, but in the knowledge of God.

The works of the flesh do not attract my heart; this voice is repulsive to me, and I remember the bitter experiences of my former life with disgust. Love fills my entire being with meaning. Every deed and every action takes on special meaning in the spirit of love because it has the most correct motive, although it may not be very great or significant in the eyes of others.

I understand where I am going; I know that God is in me; I expect something new, and it happens. I am preparing for Eternity and have firm assurance of my salvation, for without Christ I can do nothing, but I always see Him before me.

With love, I become a coveted target for Satan, but the Lord is my protection, and He leads me to Calvary so that from its height I too may see, through His eyes, the entire conquered world for which He died, and love it with His heart.

And at the end of the path, I notice a blazing fire into which the Lord invites me, and He stands in that fire and waits to pass through this trial together with me.

1. Do you see the difference between those who have love and those who do not?

2. What must one have in order to comprehend the science of love, and what steps should be taken?

3. What advantages does a believer who has love in his heart possess?

4. What does the Lord desire to sell to you personally in this last time?

5. Why is it so important for the spiritual house of a believer to be occupied by Love?

6. What is needed for Love to gain the victory in your heart?

7. Is it worth seeking and setting aside time to learn the science of agape love?

8. Do you believe that our school is the only one in the world where we comprehend this science? What other methods does God have to reveal all these truths to thirsty and seeking souls?

9. Please read Psalm 91:14–15; Daniel 3:24–25; Psalms 23:4; 83:6–8; Isaiah 26:3–4; Joshua 1:7; Isaiah 63:9; 1 Peter 4:12–14; Hebrews 10:36; 12:2–3, 12–13 in the light of our lesson.