We live in a time when it can be hard to distinguish right from wrong. Satan continually tries to blur lines so that men end up mistaking evil for good, and good for evil. Love is one area where Satan is having particular success in blurring the lines between right and wrong. In the next few weeks, I am going to write a series of entries about love, family, and marriage- Which I think may help us distinguish between Love and Lust.
One fundamental difference between love and lust is commitment. The Lord taught, "he that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me" (John 14:21). The Lord points out a clear relationship between love and faithfulness- the soul that loves Christ is the soul that keeps the Lord's commandments. Love is faithful, but lust is fleeting. Love delivers on its promises, but lust demands deliverance from its obligations. Love makes covenants, but lust makes excuses. Therefore, covenants are central to the Plan of Salvation because they create the loving relationships that are necessary for creation and salvation. All creations, including heaven and earth, are born out of relationships that are forged through covenants administered by God. For example, upon being joined together in covenant by God, Adam and Eve were commanded to multiply and replenish the earth (Genesis 1:28). Thus, creation is a real result of loving relationships- God is a creator because God is love, and humans are created because a man and a women love each other. Likewise, all Salvation is born out of relationships that are forged through covenants administered by God. The Lord said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:13-14). Jesus Christ laid down his life for those that He loved, and He loved those with whom He had made covenants. Thus, salvation comes as a result of loving relationships.
We can develop love by making covenants with God, and with our husband or wife. Finally, we can perfect our love by keeping covenants with God, and with our husband or wife.
One fundamental difference between love and lust is commitment. The Lord taught, "he that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me" (John 14:21). The Lord points out a clear relationship between love and faithfulness- the soul that loves Christ is the soul that keeps the Lord's commandments. Love is faithful, but lust is fleeting. Love delivers on its promises, but lust demands deliverance from its obligations. Love makes covenants, but lust makes excuses. Therefore, covenants are central to the Plan of Salvation because they create the loving relationships that are necessary for creation and salvation. All creations, including heaven and earth, are born out of relationships that are forged through covenants administered by God. For example, upon being joined together in covenant by God, Adam and Eve were commanded to multiply and replenish the earth (Genesis 1:28). Thus, creation is a real result of loving relationships- God is a creator because God is love, and humans are created because a man and a women love each other. Likewise, all Salvation is born out of relationships that are forged through covenants administered by God. The Lord said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you" (John 15:13-14). Jesus Christ laid down his life for those that He loved, and He loved those with whom He had made covenants. Thus, salvation comes as a result of loving relationships.
We can develop love by making covenants with God, and with our husband or wife. Finally, we can perfect our love by keeping covenants with God, and with our husband or wife.
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