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Question
Dr Howe,
Is LOVE is spiritual gift or it's something we have to make an effort to practice on our own?
Thanks.
Eddie
Eddie, thank you for your question. Love can be a spiritual gift, but mostly it is a result of the Love that God has for us and we then have that Love in us through the Holy Spirit. Greatest Love of all is told in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Eddie, break this verse down.
"For God" means Apostle John is putting emphasis that God really wants to love us and the "so" in Greek is houtos which means "in this way." For God in this way (houtos) loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Now this is the greatest gift of love ever shown to man.
2 Tim. 1:7 states "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but (spirit) of power, and (spirit) of love, and (spirit) of a sound mind" (paraphase is mine). Paul states God has given us threefold spirit of power, love, and sound mind. His power enables and emboldens us to do His will. His love provides the proper motivation. And His sound mind enables us to exercise godly wisdom in how we use His power and love. So there is a spirit of love given by God.
The Bible mentions "love of the spirit" (Rom. 15:30), "fruit of the Spirit is love" (Gal. 5:22), and "love in the Spirit" (Col. 1:8) which are all a manifestation of the Love of God that is in us through the Holy Spirit and like you mentioned we have to practice this to our brethren and family. And there of many other verses that mention the love of the spirit, but not the spiritual gift of love.
1 John 4:16 tells how we know the love of God is in us "And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." I hope His love is in you, Eddie.
May God Richly Bless You,
Dr. Don Howe, PhD, ThD
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Answers by Expert:
Dr Don Howe
Expertise
I welcome questions that deal with theological issues, relationship issues, church history, world religions, current events from a Christian worldview, "gray areas" that are present today, church growth movements, false prophets, spiritual abuse issues, end time events, prophecy, medical ethical issues, hermeneutical questions, and how Israel fits into God's economy today. I will answer all questions in a grammatical/historical normative interpretation of God's Word. If I can not answer a question, I will do the research and find the answer if available. If you are looking for a liberal theological answer or agrument, do not ask. I am not an expert on church planting or evangelism.
Experience
I have over 27 years of experience doing ministry as a bivocational minster/professional nurse. I do ministry as a volunteer with ministries that are nonprofit and not able to pay for ministers. I have experience working with youth, children, elderly in different placement settings, mentally ill and mentally challenged in different settings, felons in state prison and county jails, hospital chaplancy, choir ministry, and deacon ministry. I am an ordained SBC minister. I am a Professional Chaplain. I am currently doing hospital minstry, ministry to shut-ins, and a chaplain with Victim Relief Ministry working with victims of diasters and domestic violence. I work as psychiatric nurse in large county jail system.
Organizations
American Association of Christian Counselors, Baptist Nursing Fellowship, Nurses Christian Fellowship, Therpon Institute, Victim Chaplain & Counselor Association of America, International Board of Christian Counselors, American Society of Christian Therapists.
Publications
N/A
Education/Credentials
PhD, Therapon University, USVI, 12/07 in Biblical Counseling,
DCC, Southwest Bible College & Seminary, Jenning, LA 04/05 in Christian Psychology and Counseling.
ThD, Slidell Baptist Seminary, Slidell, LA 02/04
D.D., Slidell Baptist Seminary, Slidell, LA 07/03
Tyndale Seminary, Fort Worth, TX 2001-2003
BSN, Univ. of Texas in Arlington, Tx 05/93
ADN, Midwestern State Univ., Wichitia Falls, TX 5/77
Covenant Medical Center in Lubbock, Externship 08/04-12/05, 4 units of CPE earned.
Awards and Honors
Board Certified Christian Counselor by International Board of Christian Counselors. Issued 01/24/06.
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