Kat, thanks for your Scriptural reference
John 15:17
So I command you to love each other. v.18 If the people of this world hate you, just remember that they hated me first.
v.19
If you belonged to the world, its people would love you. But you don't belong to the world. I have chosen you to leave the world behind, and that is why its people hate you.
This passage references the word "Love" twice (once in Green and then in Red)
Christ comanded each of us to love one another, for: He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1Jo 4:8
But then Christ say's if we are still part of the world, then worldly people will love us. Surely this love is not the same as Christ commands us to do. Is there a difference?
I believe that true meaning for love has been invariably merged with "Lust"
Compact Oxford English Dictionary
Love:
• verb 1 feel love for. 2 like very much. 3 loving showing love or great care.
Lust:
• verb (usu. lust for/after) feel lust for someone or something
It is true, many lust for material possesions, girlfriends, boyfriends, money, power, recognition because they would "love" to have them.
But do you see the primary difference in the "Love of Christ" and the "Love of the world"?
To my understanding, the "Love of Christ" means giving yourself up as in: "I" am no longer the center of my world. Whereas, those in the world still hold on the "I" am the center of my world.
Certainly, we cannot see inside anothers heart; however, we can see the fruits of their heart. When I see someone showing Christ like care, love and charity to others, I can see the love of God.
Is the quality and quantity of this love dependant solely in their level of Scriptual understanding? So do we stop "loving" the people in the world? No, just the things that the people of the world, love and lust after.
Does this make sense.....
Christ like love to all,
Darren