What is love?

Here's the big question: How do you define love (in a non-romantic sense)?

Here are a few of the responses received on my FACEBOOK account to the big question on love:

“Choosing to do what is best for the object of your affection...”

“It is the reality of placing someone or something before oneself”

“Pastor Rudy before I could think about it, two words came to mind 'God's Grace!”

“Unconditional”

“1. Living in the will and heart of God. 2. The smile on my 14 month olds face when I walk into her room in the morning, then the hug that I get when taking her out of her crib. 3. Seeing the light of Christ in those around you and then treating them AS IF they were Christ. 4. Chocolate - fabulous, well-made and heavenly chocolate!”

“Love is unconditional and has no hang ups”

“Not seeing that person through YOUR eyes but instead with your heart. Following your heart will always lead you down the path God has for you.”

“Love is the spirit of devoting yourself to someone who is important and close to you. It is expressed by caring for and protecting that person. -Yashamaru (from Naruto)”

“Love is the illogical, inexplicable power to create, build, and regenerate without the expectation of anything in return; and, the understanding that each action does NOT have an equal and opposite reaction... true love can never be matched, kept track of, or withheld... true love is boundless”

“Agape... Volitional.... Unconditional”

“Showing respect for our fellowman, giving without expecting, and living our lives in truth and in compliance with God's will.”

“Complete, unadulterated acceptance...”

“I believe that it is shown in the example of the Good Samaritan, and in what we do for the least of these, and when we execute the love that god has for us and show us (unconditional, honest, giving, unselfish) to ourselves and others. It is beyond the romantic, but the essence of life and the savior of humanity.”

“It's really simple if you care about someone’s well being that is love”

“God IS Love, so we should have an unconditional, unfailing openness toward others. Love never fails...”

“Always hope for the best, overlook an offense, no fear...”

“Love is being to all, what God is to you.”

“Love is omnipresent and unconditional...it is freedom and acceptance...people usually get love and attachment confused.”

“When you smell them or hear their voice & they're no where around! When you think of them & your heart starts racing!”

“Unconditional, necessary,”

“Love is an action word, not just a (fickle) feeling.”

“Does a 'romantic age' actually support love? Or does it support illusion?”

"Love,” commands us to accept that (1) God created man in His image;(2) that He IS love; therefore, (3) our natural and innate mission in this life is to BE love. All actions & reactions that are contrary to our divine image is not of God. To love is to BE God-like in ALL that we do. Accepting, forgiving, graceful, merciful, benevolent, sacrificial...”

“I take the writer Paul's position, who defined it quite eloquently - "Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrong, love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails." (I Cor.13:4-8).”

“I define Love as affectionately and passionately seeking the well-being of another.”

“Love is peace, harmony and keeping our Father first in our thoughts and heart. It's sad but a lot of people define Love by the way our parents interacted with each other and WE never find the true meaning. When it doubt reference the bible, there is a section defining this "Gift". But I know you already know this. Smile”

“Love in a non-romantic sense is merely like if it be for noble purposes. Otherwise, it be a futile vain attempt by man to control a gift given by God as a reward for those who possess a pure circumcised heart. Because it is a gift from God I hesitate to define love, but accept the gift as given thus it cannot be... “

“Giving!”

“Life is a school of love, in this school we are not just hungry but we are starving for love. Starvation is a life-threatening affair. A person in this situation wants to survive, like being without food and water and shelter, the person will die .Our real nourishment is love and shelter is love because the soul is made for love.”

“What is Love? LOVE is the ENERGY of the soul, looking to connect with the SOUL, which is a part and parcel of the GOD HEAD. In other words that part of God which lives in us the spirit with.”

“GOD is LOVE!”

“Excepting everyone for who they are, not being judgmental, love is the greatest gift of all”

“? I don’t know”