Bible Study—”♫What the world needs now, is Love, Sweet Love♩♪”

In 1965, Jackie DeShannon recorded the song, What the World Needs Now is Love. “It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of.“

Mother Teresa loved the least, the last, and the lonely. As a teen girl in Macedonia, she recognized her calling. Learn more about this amazing woman from Reference: What Did Mother Teresa Do?

In South Texas parlance, Mother Teresa was “as real as it gets.” She truly embodied love for the least, the last, and the lonely.

Define Love

There are eight (7) Greek words and one Latin word that translate as love in English.

1. philautia ϕιλαυτία (philautía), self-love
2. pragma πράγμα (prágma), love based on duty, obligation, or logic
3. eros ἔρως (érōs), the type of love that involves passion, lust, and/or romance
4. mania μανία (manía)
5. ludus L. (lūdus), game, play, or courtship love
6. storge στοργή (storgé), familial love
7. philia ϕιλία (philía), friendship
8. agape ἀγάπη (agápē), unconditional love. The two equivalent Latin words for unconditional love are diligit, a verb, and caritas, a noun.

Let’s focus on number 8: unconditional love. I read the Bible in three languages: English, Spanish, and Latin. Why do I not read the New Testament in the original language? Frankly, it’s Greek to me. Strong’s Concordance provides the original definitions. How is either the Greek or the Latin scripture helpful to understanding the Word of God? Here is a prime example: 1 John 4:8.

• Modern English Version: Anyone who does not love (verb) does not know God, for God is love (noun).
• Reina-Valera 1960: El que no ama (verb), no ha conocido a Dios; porque Dios es amor (noun).
• Biblia Sacra Vulgata (Vulgate): Qui non diligit (verb, love unconditionally), non novit Deum: quoniam Deus caritas (noun, unconditional love) est.

Returning to English, “Anyone who does not love unconditionally does not know God, for God is unconditional love.”

What is a calling?

In this context, the word calling is also known as a vocation.

1. a particular occupation, business, or profession; one’s calling
2. a strong impulse or desire to follow a particular activity or career
3. a divine call to a religious life

The English word vocation comes from Latin vocātiō, a call, summons, equivalent to vocāt(us) past participle of vocāre to call.

The Relevance of Your Calling

The secular publication, Psychology Today, discusses the importance of understanding your calling. This is detailed in an article titled, It’s Never Too Late to Find Your Calling. The article was updated on February 15, 2024.

First, a question: Does the word ‘calling’ not imply someone wants your attention? Who is calling you?

• For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord, plans for peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.—Jeremiah 29:11
• There are many plans in a man’s heart, nevertheless the counsel of the Lord will stand.—Proverbs 19:21
• For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, so that we should walk in them.—Ephesians 2:10

God supernaturally calls all people everywhere to specific labors. He never calls anyone for evil purposes, as per Jeremiah 29:11. The omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Lord of the Universe, the Creator, calls us for His purposes.

Satan also calls people to evil purposes. John 8:31-47 articulates the difference between God’s holy callings and Satan’s unholy callings.

The Guild and Shame Trap

Satan wants us to believe that our past sins are inexcusable and un-salvageable. The only unpardonable sin is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.

The Bottom Line

God loves you whether you are a born-again, blood-washed child of God or a lifelong sinful heathen. Do you identify with the prodigal son in Luke 15:11-31?

No human can absolve you of your sin. Only the living God. When you confess your sins, God applies the blood of Jesus Christ to cover your sins. You know you sinned. Many others may know about your sin. But God can no longer see your sin after the blood of Jesus has been applied to you. I suggest the blood of Jesus is an optical filter that prevents Father God from seeing your sin.

Come now, and let us reason together,
    says the Lord.
Though your sins be as scarlet,
    they shall be as white as snow;
though they be red like crimson,
    they shall be as wool.
Isaiah 1:18 MEV

Confess your sins to God. Ask for His forgiveness. Join a local Bible-believing church to learn about your new opportunities. Whether your vocation is auto mechanic or lawyer, everyone is called to accept and enjoy the love of God. All are invited to accept the promise of eternal life with Him.

John White
Rockwall, Texas