The transforming power of “love” or the transforming power of the “Cross” of Jesus

Christ?

Saint Valintine’s Day Origin: At least three different Saint Valentines, all of them martyrs,
are mentioned in the early martyrologies under date of February 14. One is described as a
Catholic priest at Rome, another as Bishop of Interamna (the modern Terni), and these two
seem both to have suffered in the second half of the third century…

Text: 2 Cor. 5:14 (“Constrains” modern versions translate it as “Compels”)

To which some modern preachers use isogesis (when Bible texts are taken out of context to
prove the point of their sermon or to mold it to what they want to say) to make or form an
entirely new doctrine (beliefs) .

A more popularized phrase that sounds good and pious, but taken out of context is:
“compelling love that changes a person”

Though “love” is an emotion, it has the ability to change a person (both for good or for evil
when it is taken out of the context of the Cross of Jesus Christ).

“God’s love” through the Cross of Jesus Christ changes a person from the inside out; it
cannot just be “love alone.”

New Teaching Themes going around in churches now: “Love Feast” “Come and
Experience God’s love” “Transforming Love” “Love Revolution” “40 days of Love
Revolution” “Love that changes People” “Love in action” “Agape Love”

Illustration: The first man to have an artificial heart transplant (a mechanical heart) said
to his family after surgery, “I love you with all my heart”

“God” is “Love.” “Love” is an attribute of who he is. Because of this “love” he had for us
he sent His Son to die for our sins in complete atonement sacrifice.

[Strong’s] G4912 soon-ekh'-o which means “to hold together, that is, to compress (the ears,
with a crowd or siege) or arrest (a prisoner); figuratively to compel, perplex, afflict,
preoccupy: - constrain, hold, keep in, press, lie sick of, stop, be in a strait, straiten, be taken
with, throng.”

“Love” is also defined as a feeling.

In the Bible the translated word “Love” has five different words used in the new testament,
but that is another Bible study.
“Love” as used in 2 Cor. 5:14 is using the Greek word “Agape” (Strong’s G26) which
means love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast: - (feast of)
charity ([-ably]), dear, love.

“Love” is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22)

In dealing with various religious teachings of “Love” and bringing the proper balance and
correct exegisis to the study, it is important to read the love chapter in the Bible, but many
stop before reaching verse 11, which is the verse that gives the balance to correct love.

1 Corintios 13:1-11 (vs 11 brings the balance to “love”)

Mature love versus imature love…what happens when love is out of balance?

Love sometimes has to make the hard choices: “Tough Love”

“Love at times can become distorted and out of balance. . .” (explain)

"The depths of this Jesus” Love takes on a whole new meaning for those of us who fight
exhausting battles in our mind on a daily basis. When we experience the difficulties of
living with depression, anxiety or mood instability, we can sink into the revolving thought
pattern that our mental health struggles make us unlovable and therefore we will fail at
loving others: our spouses, our families, our friends. We fear failure and rejection, so we
slowly start to close ourselves off to the very love that Jesus has for us.

2Co 12:10 Wherefore I take pleasure in weaknesses, in injuries, in necessities, in

persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

Why do we love God?

1 John 4:19 We love God because he first loved us.

Conclusion: Romans 8:35