What is Love?

I saw another posting today which brought about the usual response of myself answering, "What do they think is love?"  Quite literally, I have been feeling the craziness of this world lately.  Things are moving so fast.  The merry-go-round has sped up and at a time when life really should be a little easier.  Don't let anybody kid you, kid.  It doesn't get easier when you get older.  So you young people, enjoy your young lives because guess what?  Yep, you are going to get older too.  

I have always pondered the Bible verse -

(Mat 11:12)  And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Every time I read this Bible verse, I sense the battle we are in as believers in Jesus Christ. And, I always ask myself, "What is Love?"  That question comes about as people always speak of love as being soft, fluffy, non-violent.  Yet, my Bible clearly states that the Kingdom of Heaven suffers violence and who receives the Kingdom of Heaven, those who take it by force.  Take it by force seems to speak to me of someone grappling (fighting, contending) not sitting idly by and watching events happen.  Maybe it is in the realm of prayer as we know prayer is a powerful tool but so easily, prayer is forgotten.  

As a parent I heard the analogy of love demonstrated in the scenario of a child playing with a ball.  The ball gets away from the child and rolls in to the street.  The child runs after the ball in to the street.  Thankfully, no car was coming, but the parent is moved to discipline the child to make sure what the child just did will never happen again.  Never!  Talking will not do it, most likely the child receives a spanking.  After all, Love is not going to let them continue to behave in this manner, right?  NO! True love is going to stop them - No matter the cost!  

Maybe part of this is understanding what the Kingdom of Heaven entails - Walking in the Kingdom involves your identity in Christ.  When you are part of the Kingdom of Christ, you are part of His body.  The Bible speaks very clearly of promises given to His body.  We have no lack.  We are victorious.  All of our needs will be met.  We can obtain healing.  This always brings us back to a conundrum of why did the person not receive their healing.  I honestly cannot answer why.  Only God can answer that and He will in his time.  However, I do not see where He says in His Word to quit, to lay down your armor and not contend for the faith.  Maybe part of it has to do with the above verse that those who receive the Kingdom of Heaven do so by taking it with force.  

I want to clarify that this verse does not say go out and do violence to others in payment for what they have done to you.  No, God does not want us to repay evil for evil.  However, I do not think it means sit on your rear-end and do nothing.  We all know it takes much more discipline and inner strength to not react than to react when someone has wronged you. 

So let me ask, how are taking the Kingdom of Heaven by force? and - What is Love to you?