God’s Unique Love Called Charity (Part 1)

If there was a core concept that God wanted you to understand for your life, what do you think it would be? Would it be faith? Repentance? Being born again? Unsurprisingly, Jesus answered that question. The answer? It’s love.

Think about it: Love is the defining characteristic that God most wants us to recognize in Him, and the characteristic most important for us to receive as a gift from Him. “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8; John 13:35). That’s why the scriptures say, if you have god-like love, when you see Christ, you will be like Him (Moroni 7:9; 1 John 3:2).

Love leads to God, who is the source of all good things (James 1:17; Moroni 10:2). One thing is certain:

       Life is a school.
       We are the students.
       Love is the lesson.[1]

What is Charity?

In English, love is an umbrella term with a variety of meanings. It can refer to a strong preference (“I love ice cream!”), affection between friends or family, romantic love, or even self-love. The meaning of love is highly contextual and therefore the nuances of different types of love are often lost without additional explanation.

On the other hand, did you know that the New Testament uses four different Greek words to describe love? But when translated into English, although each word has a different meaning, it is usually just translated as love.

The first Greek word for love is storge (στοργή, pronounced stor-GAY; actually the word used in the New Testament is astorge (ảστοργή), meaning unloving; 2 Timothy 3:3). Storge refers to the love family members have for one another, like a mother or father for a daughter or love that siblings share.

The second type of love is filos (φίλος), which describes the love between friends and close associates.

Many people say that there is another type of love mentioned in the bible, so I’ll mention it here. That love is eros (ἒρος). Eros is referred to in the New Testament, but the word itself is never actually used. It refers to sexual or erotic love.

The last type of love mentioned in the New Testament is the one we will focus on here: agape (ảγάπη; pronounced uh-GOP-eh). Agape is the type of love that God possesses and that Christians are supposed to emulate. It is the pure, even sacrificial love that is beyond human understanding and description. As we will see, this type of love encompasses all other virtues.

The King James Version of the Bible translates agape as “charity.” So when we speak of love in this episode, I will primarily use the word charity to refer to the highest form of love which God possesses.

Possessing love for others is the sign of a true believer in Christ: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).[2]

Knowing about these different words for love gives greater insight into the story when Jesus told Peter to feed His Sheep. After Peter and six other disciples had fished all night but caught nothing, the resurrected Savior appeared to them. The story reads:

Just after daybreak, Jesus stood on the beach, but the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to them, “Children, you have no fish, have you?” They answered him, “No.” He said to them, “Cast the net to the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast it, and now they were not able to haul it in because there were so many fish. That disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” (John 21:4-7).

Peter then jumped from the boat and swam to Jesus while the rest of the disciples brought the catch to shore. That’s when the Lord taught Peter a lesson. Notice the words for love that were used:

When they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love [agapo] me more than these?”

He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love [filo] you.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.”  A second time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love [agapo] me?”

He said to him, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love [filo] you.”

Jesus said to him, “Tend my sheep.”

He said to him the third time, “Simon son of John, do you love [filo] me?”

Peter felt hurt because he said to him the third time, “Do you love me?” And he said to him, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love [filo] you.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:15-17; see the Greek version).

The resurrected Son of God asked twice if Peter loved with agape – the highest love. But Peter did not seem to understand. Each time he replied, “Yes I filo you” – I love you with the love of a friend. Finally, Jesus seemed to take what he could get and asked, “Do you filo me?”

Regardless of the type of love that Peter possessed, the lesson for him was the same: “Feed my sheep” – take care of others, particularly those who believe in Me. To the Lord, love meant more than warm feelings for others. Love meant serving them and lifting them. It was a motivating force, not simply a happy state of being. Jesus was reaffirming the message he taught earlier: “Just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).

Without Charity You are Nothing?

The scriptures teach, “If ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth” (Moroni 7:9; also 1 Corinthians 13:2). Does this mean we have no value if we don’t possess charity? Certainly not! You and I are of infinite value to God, which is why Christ suffered more than any other person could suffer (Teachings & Commandments 4:5). If we are nothing without charity, it means that every other spiritual advancement will fail or stop without the preserving power of charity. Paul said it this way: “Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away” (1 Cor. 13:8 KJV).

An Angry God or a Loving God?

For some people, all this talk of a God of love doesn’t sound right – after all, don’t the scriptures (especially the Old Testament) regularly talk about God’s wrath? The scriptures do record many instances of God warning or pronouncing woes upon his children when they refused to live morally upright lives. However, declaring warning of coming consequences for bad behavior is an act of love (Proverbs 3:11-12). God loves each person’s soul enough to speak truth so they have a chance to change before serious consequences catch up to them.

Just like a loving parent might warn and discipline a headstrong teenager about the consequences of their foolish decisions, God warns and disciplines His people about what will happen if they do not course-correct (repent) and fix their ways. He does not fear our anger – after all, “perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18) – and His only concern is for your well-being and mine.

Similarly, love compels us to speak the truth each hearer needs. Aligning ourselves with truth leads to healing and growth. If I speak God’s words, I need to remember the worth of each soul and have that be a motivating factor. Of course, this should be done with wisdom and the guidance of the Holy Spirit so we know what and when to speak.

Three Profound Evidences of God’s Love

For me, it is far easier to believe in a Creator of our world and universe than it is to believe that everything just happened by chance. I don’t say that lightly or naively. The requirements for life to exist – especially with such diversity and cohesive organization – makes it impossible for me to believe that coincidence could lead to life that includes and requires such complexity and fine-tuning.[3]

But while a remarkably complex and symbiotic universe is evidence for a great Creator, that evidence does not explicitly tell us what that Creator is like. So how could we even come to know about His real nature? More specifically, how do we know that He is the ultimate source of love in the universe, or that love truly is the motivating factor behind everything He does?

There are three profound evidences that tell us of God’s character. The first is the testimony of scriptures, written by those who claimed to encounter and even speak with God. The scriptures consistently describe God as a being who is all knowing, merciful, patient, just, slow to anger, and loving.

The second evidence is found in the fact that God was willing to send His Son, Jesus Christ, even though He knew the pain Christ would endure as the sacrifice for our sins: “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world but in order that the world might be saved through him” (John 3:16-17). “God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:9-10; see also 1 John 2:2, Alma 16:34).

The third evidence of God’s immense love is more personal but more profound: It is the changes He makes to those who come to know Him. You see, God changes and expands the hearts of those who seek Him and submit to Him.

Jesus called this being born again, or being born from above (John 3:3-7 NKJV & NRSVUE). What does being born again look like? Although it will be noticeable to those who know you, the real change happens inside your heart. It’s like a bit of heaven lives inside you. You are filled with greater peace, joy and love. You no longer desire to do many of the questionable or immoral behaviors you once enjoyed, and instead you find joy in living a life that is pleasing to God (2 Peter 1:4). You may be skeptical that this can happen. But consider that there are millions throughout the world – including myself – who took up Christ’s invitation and testify that He has changed their hearts and lives for the better – beyond anything this world has to offer.

Once you are born again it does not mean your work is over. It’s simply the beginning of your journey to know God, and there is much more refinement and healing that needs to happen as you begin walking hand-in-hand with the God of the universe. As you learn to communicate with Him and follow His Spirit, the fruits of that Spirit grow stronger: “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

To me, this personal, love- and light-filled change that happens to each person who sincerely seeks God is the greatest evidence that He is exactly who the scriptures say He is – a God of love and light. “That which is of God is light, and he that receives light and continues in God receives more light, and that light grows brighter and brighter until the perfect day” (T&C 36:4; also Proverbs 4:18). But this type of evidence for a God of love is personal – only He can give it to you. It’s meant to be this way, because God is a God of relationships, and He wants a relationship with each of His children. But loving relationships can’t be forced – they must be voluntary, which means you both must desire to participate.

Therefore, each individual must do the work of humbly and sincerely seeking God, and then God will reveal Himself to that person – He will reveal Himself to you, change your heart by putting a little bit of heaven inside you so you continue to grow as you allow Him to guide your life. God’s path of life, love, faith, hope, gratitude, joy, truth, knowledge, etc., free us and expand our souls in every way.

Charity and Treasures in Heaven

In his book Imagine the God of Heaven (chapter 4), John Burke pointed out that love cannot be bought with fair promises, elaborate bribes, or blackmailed into existence. It can only be developed by a person choosing to love, and in order to choose, they must have free will. Thus free will is essential to God’s plan for us to become beings of love, like He is. For humans created in God’s image, love is a choice.

In our world love is also risky – what Burke called “risky business,” because the love we give may not be reciprocated. It may even be rejected or leave us vulnerable to mistreatment. Does this mean love is not worth it? God certainly thinks it is! Because love is His plan, it is who He is, and who He says we are meant to be.

Christ taught, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt and thieves break through and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (3 Nephi 5:36, Matt. 6:19-21).

Ultimately, what we must treasure is love, God’s children and creations, and the heaven that love creates. Jesus taught, “The light of the body is the eye; if, therefore, thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light… No man can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other” (3 Nephi 5:37-38; Matt. 6:19-21). Whatever we treasure will be what we focus on (the eye), and that will be the master we serve. What we treasure will also be the lens through which we see everything.

Jesus’ equation looks like this:

Focus on collecting treasures on earth = darkness, serving the god of wealth (mammon)

Focus on storing treasures in heaven = light, serving God

Remember the two great commandments, love God with all your heart and love your neighbor like yourself? (Matt. 22:36-40). If charity or love is the law of heaven, what is it that charity treasures? What would you cherish if you possessed charity? We will look at this this more in-depth.

The Beatitudes are Built on the Law of Love

As mentioned earlier, charity encompasses all other godly virtues. This becomes apparent when exploring scriptures on the matter. Charity treasures faith, lowliness of heart (humility), a broken heart, kindness, not being puffed up (an absence of pride), seeking not her own (selfless, motivated by a concern for others), not easily provoked (patient and meek). Charity also treasures righteousness (which is conformity to God’s law),[4] thinking no evil (holiness), truth, belief (here defined as “understanding and accepting true doctrine”),[5] and hope.

The beatitudes were taught early in Jesus’ earthly ministry and at the beginning of His ministry to the Nephites as the resurrected Savior. In both instances, Jesus promptly taught the beatitudes to His followers so they would know how one of His born again disciples should strive to live and worship. The beatitudes built upon the Law of Moses by expounding the higher law of heaven (what the Bible calls the ”royal law”; James 2:8). Instead of emphasizing new or radical ways of worship, again and again the Savior focused on the condition of each person’s heart – whether it was holy or self-serving and hypocritical.

As we will see, love drives all the behaviors in the beatitudes (also called the Sermon on the Mount). In fact, each teaching is a facet of God’s law of love – the celestial law – which commands us to love God above all else and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Matt. 22:35-40, Mark 12:28-31, Luke 25:25-28). Each attribute that Christ mentioned at the beginning of His sermon is a necessary ingredient of charity, “the pure love of Christ” (Moroni 7:9): being poor in spirit, mourning, meekness, hungering and thirsting after righteousness, being merciful, having a pure heart, and being a peacemaker.

Here we will go through some of these attributes outlined in the beatitudes and explore how they are either preparation for a loving character, or love is the foundational principle behind each the attribute.

Poor in Spirit

Jesus began by explaining that the poor in spirit who come to Him will inherit the kingdom of Heaven (3 Nephi 5:12). Being poor in spirit is the same as having a broken heart and contrite spirit. Webster’s 1828 dictionary said contrite means, “Literally, worn or bruised. Hence, broken-hearted for sin; deeply affected with grief and sorrow for having offended God; humble; penitent; as a contrite sinner.”

A broken heart means we feel emotional distress or pain due to deep longing or loss. It happens when we recognize and feel our darkened state. A broken heart (and contrite spirit) is best developed when we come into contact with the Living Light, Christ, because that means He is teaching us – we are seeking to change willingly, rather than being humbled by our circumstances (see Alma 16:27). How do we keep a broken heart? By recognizing the darkness that is still part of us and yearning for more light. This will keep us moving forward, step by step with Christ.

A broken heart and contrite spirit go together because you can be broken hearted due to loss, but not be remorseful, like the Nephites in Mormon’s day: “Their sorrowing was not unto repentance because of the goodness of God, but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin. And they did not come unto Jesus with broken hearts and contrite spirits, but they did curse God and wish to die” (Mormon 1:6).

A contrite spirit is what the Bible calls Godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:9-10) – it means we are sorry because of the wrongs we have done, because we have offended God, and want to correct our foolish behaviors. Being poor in spirit brings us to a point where we are ready and willing to be taught by God. Therefore, it is a prerequisite for obtaining charity.

Closely related to being broken-hearted is being lowly of heart (Moroni 7:8-9). Being lowly of heart means to be humble. Being lowly in heart is a step above broken-hearted. It’s a spectrum. It means we remember the lessons from being broken hearted, which allows us to feel contrite and submissive to God. “Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart” (Matt. 11:28-30). Charity treasures lowliness of heart because we are in a position to learn and grow. It also means we view others as equals, which is necessary to obtain charity.

Mourning

Jesus said, “Blessed are all they that mourn, for they shall be comforted” (3 Nephi 5:13, Matt. 5:4). That sounds wonderful and compassionate, but what does feeling sorrow have to do with love? After all, love may seem like the opposite of mourning – it’s joyous and light-filled. But Jesus, who did everything in love, was described as “a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief” (Isaiah 53:3 NKJV). Mourning can create a foundation for compassion, which is an essential element of love. When we understand what it’s like to bear the weight of grief in different situations, we can learn to suspend judgment and see others with tenderness and mercy.

Indeed, understanding the pain another person has experienced is often the catalyst that allows us to let go of resentment and make room for forgiveness. This is a theme that’s portrayed in movies and is understood by virtually anyone who has healed from the poison of resentment. Is it any wonder, then, that the person with the greatest love, who suffered for all sins (1 Peter 3:18) and was in the position to forgive sins (Mark 2:1-12), is the one who suffered more than anyone else? Here is how one prophet described it:

And he shall go forth suffering pains, and afflictions, and temptations of every kind, and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith, He will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people. And he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor  his people according to their infirmities (Alma 5:3).

Succor is a word that’s not used too much today; it means to provide relief from suffering (Webster’s 1828, “Succor”). As usual, Jesus was the great example – even when it came to experiencing grief, because suffering is a foundational experience for learning to love others.

Of course, mourning and pain are also opportunities to allow fear to take over, which will cause us to retreat or see others with anger or contempt. The gift of free will allows us to choose how we react. But even if we have developed bad habits due to repeatedly acting poorly, God promises to help if we humbly come to Him and ask (Matt. 7:7-11). We can receive a clean slate and divine assistance through the grace provided by God’s Son (Romans 3:23-26).

Meekness

Meekness is also a facet of godlike love and one of its foundational principles. Unfortunately, the modern definition of meek has morphed into a type of weakness. Here are a few of the current definitions of meek:

“Deficient in spirit and courage” (Merriam-Webster).

“Quiet, gentle, and always ready to do what other people want without expressing your own opinion” (Oxford Learner’s Dictionary).

“Quiet and unwilling to disagree or fight or to strongly support personal ideas and opinions” (Cambridge Dictionary).

These definitions of meekness transform it into a weakness, not a strength! However, meekness has a different meaning in scriptures. For instance, Jesus said, “I am meek and lowly of heart” (Matt. 11:29), yet during His ministry He chased money changers out the temple twice – once at the beginning of his ministry and again near the end (John 2:13-17, Mark 11:15-18). He also spoke boldly against the leaders of His day, knowing full well that they would seek to kill Him (Matt. 23:1-36). Does that sound like someone who is unwilling to disagree or fight?

The proper understanding of meekness – as found in the scriptures – comes from an earlier meaning of the word, which is still contained in one definition in the current Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary. It says meekness means, “enduring injury with patience and without resentment.”[6]

Charity treasures meekness, or not being easily provoked (Moroni 7:9), because meekness is an extension of gentleness and is part of the golden rule. Injustice and cruelty often follow a short temper. Anger also tends to beget anger, as resentment is a natural response to unfair and unkind treatment, and soon the whole course of creation is set ablaze (James 3:6 NKJV). Charity never forgets the value of each soul and rejects unfair treatment and injustice that often results from being easily angered. Therefore, it treasures the characteristic of not being easily provoked.

As a lawgiver and judge with all power, if God were to be easily provoked, it would bode poorly for His creations. Although He cannot look upon sin with the least degree of allowance (Alma 21:3, T&C 54:5), God works patiently with His children and gives us sufficient time to make and correct our mistakes (2 Peter 3:9).

Humility is closely related to meekness, as it is the foundational characteristic that allows a person to endure injury patiently. Pride of course is the opposite of humility, and both Paul and Mormon described charity as not being “puffed up” (1 Cor. 13:4, Moroni 9:9). Being puffed up – or proud – means we are not teachable. We “try to obtain praise and recognition so [we] can stand above others, even though [we] likely have not accomplished anything of real or lasting value” (Why Humility Is Essential for a Healthy, Happy Life). It also means we do not value others like ourselves.

Being puffed up is an analogy – it’s as if we inflate ourselves to look larger, but there’s nothing substantial creating the size. It’s all for show, and will collapse when tested (ibid). Charity treasures the absence of pride because it requires true substance, a character of strength founded on truth and humility. “Humility is not simply the absence of pride; it is an actual attribute that causes us to value others like ourselves, and willingly recognize and acknowledge our limitations” (humility-month.com). We can only become more like Christ by growing attributes based on true, godly principles.

Another attribute that’s tied in with meekness and charity is hope. Charity treasures hope because it leads a soul along the path to charity – and to higher, heavenly realms. Hope is the expectation of something good, and it allows a person to endure hardships patiently, without resentment. “There is a direct relationship between faith, hope, and charity. Faith comes from obedience and sacrifice. Hope comes when one’s faith secures a promise directly from God. And charity comes when those holding faith and receiving hope seek to have all others share in the same promises (see 1 Corinthians 1:53 [13:8-13]; Ether 5:5; Moroni 7:1; Moroni 10:4; and JSH 15:35). Fear, anger, and selfishness are Satan’s counter to faith, hope, and charity” (T&C Glossary, “Faith, Hope, and Charity”).

Hungering and Thirsting after Righteousness

Jesus taught, “Blessed are all they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the holy ghost” (3 Nephi 5:15; also Matt. 5:6). Charity treasures righteousness, or conformity to God’s law (see “Righteousness,” Webster’s 1828 Dictionary). As we already confirmed, God’s law is love. Righteousness enables greater and greater comprehension of truth. On the other hand, the rewards of sin are bitter. They don’t just weigh us down; they cause us to be less than who God wants us to be. They corrupt and enslave our souls so we are in darkness mentally, emotionally, and spiritually (Romans 6:20, 22-23).

Charity also treasures faith because it is “the foundation of all righteousness” (Lectures on Faith 1:1). As just mentioned, a foundation of faith produces hope and leads to charity and salvation in God’s kingdom. Faith precedes knowledge and is based on God’s words and promises. Faith comes from the Holy Spirit (John 14:26; Moroni 10:2) and is a gift for obedience: “Anyone who resolves to do the will of God will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own” (John 7:17; also Alma 16:28). Faith impels action and must be based on truth (Alma 16:26). Because charity is a gift from God (Moroni 7:9), we must have faith in God’s promise to ask, seek, and knock (Matt 7:7-11, Luke 11:9-13) so charity can be obtained.

Mercy

Jesus taught, “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy” (3 Nephi 5:16, Matt. 5:7). Mercy means “compassion or forbearance… shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one’s power” (Merriam-Webster.com). Mercy is an extension of kindness, and kindness and mercy are natural extensions of love (1 Cor. 13:4-5, Moroni 7:9). Charity treasures these qualities because mercy and kindness are central parts of the golden rule (Matt. 7:12 NKJV), and a person with charity considers all souls equally important as himself or herself. A person with mercy and kindness seeks to lift and assist others regardless of perceived differences in status – social, financial, spiritual, mental, emotional, etc. The parable of the good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) is perhaps the best example of this in scripture.

Obtaining and Keeping a Pure Heart

“Blessed are all the pure in heart,” Jesus taught, “for they shall see God” (3 Nephi 5:17, Matt. 5:8). Having a pure heart means it is free from pollution or corruption; in other words, it only desires the higher things of heaven. As mentioned earlier, this is the result of being born again, which is a free gift to all who come to God with a broken heart and penitent spirit (3 Nephi 5:9, 3 Nephi 4:7). Being born again – or becoming a new creation through Christ (2 Cor. 5:17-21) – is essential before anyone can see, let alone enter, the kingdom of God (John 3:1-7). One meaning of “see” is to understand or know. When Jesus said someone must be born again to see the kingdom of heaven, He was saying that the kingdom of heaven can only be comprehended or understood by someone who has been changed so they have a more heavenly nature.

Thinking No Evil

Similarly, charity treasures thinking no evil (Moroni 7:9, 1 Cor. 13:5 NKJV), which is a prerequisite for holiness. “Applied to human beings, holiness is purity of heart or dispositions; sanctified affections; piety; moral goodness, but not perfect” (“Holiness,” Webster’s 1828 Dictionary). Throughout scriptures, the Lord instructs His covenant people to “be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:45; 1 Peter 1:15-16, Lev. 19:2, Lev. 20:26 NKJV).

Many Bible versions (e.g., NRSVUE, NASB, NIV) translate 1 Cor. 13:5 to say that charity “keeps no record of wrongs,” as opposed to “thinks no evil.” This interpretation also works, because one of the meanings of Satan is accuser (Strong’s Lexicon). Satan was known for accusing others day and night before God (Revelation 12:10). He wanted everyone to suffer divine punishment while refusing to acknowledge his own guilt.

A major part of thinking no evil includes the ability to recognize that we all fall short of God’s glory and need his forgiveness (Rom. 3:23-25). This doesn’t mean that the abuse someone heaps upon us is okay; but it does mean we are able to step back as accusers, knowing that eventually God will be their judge; but we hope they will receive mercy like we received mercy (see the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant, Matt. 18:21-35).

Thinking no evil provides a foundation for holiness. This is because breaking God’s law of love begins with the thoughts and intents of the heart. One proverb instructs, “For as [a man] thinks in his heart, so is he” (Prov. 23:7 NKJV).[7] Jesus confirmed this principle when He taught, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matt. 5:27-28 NKJV).

John Burke wrote, “Evil is the absence of God and His loving ways” (Imagine the God of Heaven, ch. 4). Allowing unloving thoughts to be entertained will eventually diminish and destroy the love in any soul. It would also be contrary to the nature of the person who possesses charity. Therefore, charity treasures the love that stems from a person who thinks good and loving thoughts continually. Charity and holiness are symbiotic – each enhances and preserves the other.

Truth and Belief

Just as holiness goes hand-in-hand with charity, truth is inseparable from God’s unique love. “Truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come… Light and truth forsake that evil one” (T&C 93:8, 11). Truth forsakes those who forsake love.[8] This is why those who delve deeper into sin lose more and more light and understanding. Continuing in sin destroys not only love, it destroys faith to do miracles and prevents spiritual gifts (Mormon 1:4, Moroni 7:7).

Although He loves us with tenderness and mercy beyond our understanding, God is still a just God. When an individual or nation is on the wrong path, charity gives ample room, warning and time for improvement. It requires courage and determination to do what is best for the individual and others. However, there is only so much time the Lord will give us in this life, and if we waste too much of it in rebellion against Him, that time will expire. The Book of Mormon described how his culture became depraved and eventually reaped the consequences as they lived in misery. Despite this, they still did not want to change. Mormon wrote, “Their sorrowing was not unto repentance because of the goodness of God, but it was rather the sorrowing of the damned because the Lord would not always suffer them to take happiness in sin” (Mormon 1:6). We can become so dark in our desires that love, truth, faith and hope become totally unappealing. Instead, these things become obstacles to fulfilling selfish desires.

This is why charity “rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth.” Truth loves charity because charity rejects iniquity and rejoices in conforming to truth. “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19 NKJV). Charity also enables higher truths to be understood (Alma 9:3, T&C 4:7, Heb. 5:12-13, Matt. 7:6).

Likewise, charity requires belief because belief in truth leads a soul along the path to faith, knowledge and conformity to truth (see Alma 16:28-30). It’s a necessary step to ascension.

Blessed are the Peacemakers

Are you happy when your children argue? How does your home feel when conflict and anger take control? Does it feel like heaven… or a bit like hell? Jesus taught, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God” (3 Nephi 5:18, Matt. 5:9). It’s interesting that God’s children who reflect His light can be identified as those who possess and spread peace. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” (John 14:26-27 KJV). “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). Indeed, one of Christ’s names is “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6-7), and His Father is called “the God of peace” (Philip. 4:9).

Following God’s commandments is a path of peace. “Oh, that you had heeded My commandments!” the Lord lamented to the Jewish people in Isaiah’s time. “Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea” (Isa. 48:18 NKJV).

Christ’s children are those who are spiritually born again. Certainly the peace God’s children spread throughout the world is one of the ways they are a city on the hill, shining in darkness (3 Nephi 5:21, Matt. 5:14-16). Parents are expected to be peacemakers not just between husband and wife, but among their children (Mosiah 2:3, Proverbs 15:1).

Being a peacemaker requires patience, which is a facet of charity. Charity requires patience from the God who grants agency. Patience allows individuals time to use the agency that was given them so they can grow and learn at the pace they choose, even if that pace is slower and includes painful consequences. To push or be impatient with another’s progress is to seek your will above another’s, which is contrary to charity because growth cannot be forced on someone who is not ready for it. Impatience makes the experience about the person who is waiting, but charity seeks not her own. Therefore, impatience is contrary to the nature of charity – and of God.

Charity treasures seeking the welfare of others (it “seeketh not her own;” Moroni 7:9) as a high priority because their welfare is what love desires. That is why God commands us to repent and keep His commandments, but He will not force it. The Savior did not want to be a sacrifice – He asked that the cup might pass from Him (Matt. 26:37-39, Luke 22:39-44). However, the charity within Christ allowed Him to cherish His Father and the souls He would save, which compelled Him to set aside His own desires to do what was necessary for the salvation of all those relying on Him (T&C 161:11-12).

Conclusion – Part 1

This is the end of God’s Unique Love, Part 1. Be sure to continue listening to Part 2 of this series on God’s Unique Love Called Charity. There we finish exploring charity’s connection to the Sermon on the Mount, including why it allows people to endure persecution, suspend judgment, shine God’s light to a dark world, and even how its lack leads to false prophets and priests. We also discuss hearing the divine voice of love, and how we can obtain charity for ourselves, as God has commanded.