Does selfless love exist?

[Mr Willett]

Is it possible to love someone for reasons that do not in some way benefit one's self?

[jamesglewisf]

Excellent question. My answer is, "No."

Luke 6:35
"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men."

Jesus is saying to love those from whom we can get nothing in return (selfless), because our reward will be great (not selfless). It sounds like you get something out of it either way; it's just a matter of the timing. It also sounds like it is OK to love somebody knowing that there is an eternal reward.

So, can I love someone for reasons that do not in someway benefit myself? The reason I should love someone is because it is the right thing to do. Why do I do the right thing? Because it benefits me, either temporally or eternally.

[Mr Willett]

I agree that man cannot, but does God love selflessly?

Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

[Carrie Earls]

Does God love selflessly? My answer is "yes."

The purpose of Christ going to the cross, the "joy that was set before him," was the redemption of mankind. It was for our benefit that Christ went to the cross. A completely selfless motive.

[jamesglewisf]

That's an even better question, Mr. Willet. I'd have to think more about it. Tell us what you think. Give us some references.

[jamesglewisf]

I've thought some about it. I was watering my grass, and it came to me.

God is perfect. He is complete. He is lacking nothing. He derives no benefit from anything because there is nothing that can improve Him or make Him better.

However, He does derive pleasure from loving us. He does derive joy. But He doesn't gain anything from loving us; therefore, it is selfless love. Nothing He does is selfish.

Once again--excellent question.

[Mr Willett]

I guess we can only athropomorphize God so much. Since we don't really completely know the nature of God without speculation, it's even harder to understand the "how" and "why" of His love.

Does God "need" or "lack" anything? Maybe not. But if there is a "plan" to his creation, such as that mentioned in Eph 1, then one might safely assume that the end-result of His divine plan is something which He desires.

Beyond that is literally impossible to comprehend...

[jamesglewisf]

R.C. Sproul has an excellent book called The Character of God: Discovering the God Who is. It has a chapter titled "The Shadow Doesn't Turn" that is taken from James 1:17 which says:

James 1:17
Every good thing bestowed and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation, or shifting shadow.

It discusses the immutability of God, the fact that He does not change, improve, get better, deteriorate, forget, age, increase in knowledge, or die.

There are several Scripture references such as:

Matthew 5:48
"Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Job 35:6-7
"If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against Him? And if your transgressions are many, what do you do to Him? If you are righteous, what do you give to Him? Or what does He receive from your hand?

John 5:26
For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself;

Acts 17:24-25
"The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands; neither is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all life and breath and all things;"

Exodus 3:14
And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM"; and He said, "Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.'"

Anyhow, the book is excellent, and Dr. Sproul explains the character of God a lot better than I ever can.

[Dude111]

I think you could love someone JUST BECAUSE YOU LOVE THEM (And nothing expected from them) :)

This world is full of TOO MUCH HATE!! Sometimes loving someone helps ya pull thru :)