The love which moves the world, according to common Christian

"The love which moves the world, according to common Christian belief, is God's love and the love of God." These profound words, spoken by the great philosopher Mortimer Adler, echo the timeless truth that at the heart of all existence, all creation, lies love—but not just any love. The love that Adler speaks of is divine love, the love of God, a force that transcends time, space, and even our understanding. This is the very love that breathes life into all things, that motivates the good in humanity, and that stirs the soul to seek truth and beauty. It is the foundation upon which the Christian worldview is built, but it also finds resonance in the hearts of all who seek meaning in a world filled with darkness and light.

In the ancient days, the philosophers of old grappled with the nature of love. Plato, in his Symposium, spoke of love as a divine force, a longing for the good, a yearning to return to the divine source from which all things flow. To Plato, love was the guiding force that led the soul from the physical to the spiritual, from the earthly to the divine. And indeed, God’s love represents this highest form of love, the perfect love that is not bound by earthly constraints or selfish desires. It is an unconditional love, one that does not ask for anything in return but gives freely, abundantly, and eternally. It is the love that has the power to redeem, to transform, and to move even the most hardened of hearts.

The origin of this truth lies deep within the Christian tradition, which has shaped much of the Western world’s understanding of love. In the teachings of Jesus Christ, we see that love is the highest commandment, the one that unites all others. "Love your neighbor as yourself," He says, and "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." In this, Jesus reveals that divine love is not simply an abstract concept but a living force that flows from God into the hearts of humanity. It is God’s love that calls us to be compassionate, forgiving, and selfless. It is through this love that we are redeemed, and through this love, we are called to love one another, creating a world that mirrors the divine love that sustains us all.

Consider the story of Mother Teresa, whose entire life was a testament to the power of God’s love. She dedicated herself to serving the poorest of the poor, the most destitute, the most forgotten. She did so not because of fame or reward, but because she was moved by the love of God, a love that compelled her to reach out with compassion to those who needed it most. In her simple actions, in her quiet humility, Mother Teresa embodied the love that moves the world. It was not her own strength or wealth that propelled her, but the divine love she received and, in turn, gave to the world. Her life became a reflection of that love, showing us all that it is not the things of this world that endure, but the love that we give and receive.

Similarly, in the life of Martin Luther King Jr., we see a man whose mission was propelled by the love of God. His nonviolent resistance to oppression was rooted not in a desire for personal gain or power, but in the belief that the love of God transcends the hate and bitterness of the world. King’s faith in God’s love inspired him to act in ways that changed the course of history, to lead a movement that sought equality, justice, and peace. It was through his deep belief in divine love that he was able to face great adversity, to stand against overwhelming odds, and to inspire millions to join him in the pursuit of a world where love reigns supreme.

The lesson of Mortimer Adler’s words is clear: God's love is the force that moves the world. It is a love that transcends selfishness, ego, and the fleeting desires of the human heart. It is the love that drives us to act for the greater good, to seek justice, to show compassion, and to live lives of integrity and grace. When we open ourselves to this love, we tap into a power greater than anything we can achieve on our own. It is a love that calls us to rise above the mundane and the trivial, to seek something higher, something eternal.

In our own lives, we must ask ourselves: How can we live in accordance with this divine love? How can we allow the love of God to move us, to guide us, to shape our actions and thoughts? It is not enough to speak of love; we must live it. We must show compassion, offer forgiveness, and seek justice. We must make our lives a reflection of that unconditional love that knows no bounds. Just as Mother Teresa and Martin Luther King Jr. transformed the world through their actions, so too can we, in our small ways, change the world by living in love.

Therefore, I urge you, dear students of life, to remember this truth: God’s love is the force that moves the world. Seek it, embrace it, and allow it to transform your heart. Live in love, not just in words, but in actions. And as you do, you will find that the love you give will return to you, multiplied a thousandfold, moving you and the world toward greater peace, joy, and purpose.