The Opposite of Love

Love is always concerned with the other person and that they do make a difference. Talk is cheap, but love is where the rubber meets the road.

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. – 1 Cor 13:1-3

Contrary to what most people might believe, the opposite of love is not hate…it is indifference or apathy.  Without love, newborns have been know to die, puppy dogs that are neglected are more prone to disease, even a wife or husband who loses a longtime spouse often dies shortly after the death of their loved one.  When all else fails, love never does.  Love can make all the difference.

Most regard hate as the opposite of love but when there are violent emotions of hate, this at least shows some regard or concern, whereas apathy shows no concern or welfare at all.  Being disconnected means that there is no care whatsoever with the other person and neglect is worse than hate.  The couple that fights at least has some feelings for each other, even though they are expressed in the wrong way. 

I remember getting angry after warning my oldest son not to play too close to the street, but there he was, almost next to the highway.  I ran out there and told him that I was very angry with him.  Why was I angry?  Because he could have been killed and I loved him very much and didn‘t want to lose him.  Now if I had no love at all, and had no concern, then I would have been apathetic to his playing by the highway.  I could have cared less if he was near danger and that he could have been killed. 

We are commanded to love one another because love is the opposite of apathy and indifference.  Why?  Because love is always concerned with the other person and that they do make a difference.  Talk is cheap, but love is where the rubber meets the road.  It makes all the difference.

Greater love has no one than this: than to lay down one’s life for his friends. – John 15:13

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