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God is Love 2

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God (I John 4:16)
        
         As we consider the idea that God is love, and the possibility that the attributes of God may then be attributes of love, the first attribute listed by Wayne Grudem is that God is independent. “God does not need us or the rest of creation for anything, yet we and the rest of creation can glorify him and bring Him joy.”  He lists other terms for this as self-existence and aseity. Does love need? In our human limitations, we need. Children need their parents. Those who are sick, injured, or disabled need others to assist them, but that’s not the question. Does love need?
             Let’s change the question just slightly. Is love need? I’ve heard people say that they need someone. Sometimes the someone is specific, “Don’t leave, I need you.” Sometimes, it’s not, “I need somebody to-o-oo love.” I know of people who build their lives around a spouse, or child, or children. That person, or those people, become his/her life.  Is that love?
I want you, I need you
But-there ain't no way I'm ever gonna love you
Now don't be sad
'Cause two out of three ain't bad
Now don't be sad
'Cause two out of three ain't bad
                                                Meatloaf, Two Out Three Ain’t Bad
         Of all the people to teach us a truth. Such a relationship is focused on the lover, the lover’s need or for the lover’s benefit. The benefit of the beloved is secondary to the needs of the lover. Of course, we are fallen creatures, not perfect Creators. We are not gods, so we are not complete in ourselves. We may need. We may feel needs, but that’s not the question under consideration. Does love need? When we need someone, is that love?
          I think in this case, the theory holds. Just as God does not need us, love does not need the beloved. Needing someone is not the same as loving someone, and when we are needing, chances are good we aren’t loving. Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Mercury and Mr. Meatloaf. (I can’t believe I’m saying that!)
          Love does not need the beloved, and yet it can be glorified by the beloved and the beloved can and does bring it joy.

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