What is Love?: The Definition

Paul was noted as saying: "Love does no harm to its neighbor". In Romans 13. We also ought to do no harm to our neighbor, and when Jesus was asked "Who is my neighbor?" he gave the story of 'The Good Samaritan' as we know it. Noting that in this story we have someone who was traveling and a Samaritan passing nearby. And that the Samaritan went further, ... further than the religious Jews who passed him by. While we don't expect kindness from certain non-religious and foreign people, Jesus used the Samaritan man as the main character in his story.

So, for starters we should do no harm, ... even to our enemies, even and especially when it is tempting, and even and especially when we have the upper hand in the matter. Jesus commands us Christians to live like this. He even asserts that our righteousness, which he says is written about in the law of the Jews, and which is outlined in his note of the two greatest commandments, which are both about love, that we love our enemies, and our friends of course, is based in love, and surpassing that of the Pharisees of his day, the religious; and so it is today. That our righteousness must surpass that of the religious leaders, both of his day and today.

And beyond, ... we see Paul's example of Christ's love: "While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Two verses later Paul claims even that we were his "enemies". Romans 5. If we have enemies, we the Christian, ... we are to show the same love of Christ, for Christ said to love your enemies and love one another. And how can we ourselves be Christians if the cardinal trait of our master we're not even willing to give an inch more than our world? Or ... How then can we be defined as Christians? The non-Christian world calls foul -- And why don't we? Is it because we are happy with the fellowship with our 'brothers' in not trying to do anything about this hypocrisy? But rather supporting it when we see it, and engaging in the hateful things of these so-called fellows. Paul did not say Say nice things, did he? Jesus strongly criticized the Pharisees, so then if he did, is niceness in question, or even love itself, but navigating an issue for our own benefit or because it makes us feel we are doing the right thing. We are nice for a reason, we are mean and hateful for a reason, no matter how much we slather the person or situation in butter.

Beyond, to caring for injured strangers who have been beaten up on the road where no one comes to aid. Be different in this, or, what the heck, choose another religion. Care for people. This is love, and beyond just doing them no harm, either to their back or to their face! If your words and action, whether physical abuse or adultery, do harm and do not heal, then you are not the Samaritan in the story, you are the Pharisee. It comes down to the intention of the heart, and the intention of God's heart towards you in giving you good things every day, and the intention of your heart, for if Christ died for you as a sinner and enemy, with him as holy, then would you not honor him by no harm and an active love? And it is regardless of like or not knowing the person: We see the example of the good Samaritan. And of Jesus. And of Paul, who sought to help those who beat him, as Christ sought and asked his father for forgiveness of those who crucified him, and was willing to serve the Roman centurion and go to his house to heal his servant, whom he did not even know. Love.