Love is one of the most commercialized word on the face of the earth. Valentines Day gives credence to this assertion. Its seems love is everywhere but very few understand what it really means. Numerous people think that love is a feeling/emotion but biblically love is much deeper. There are four types of love mentioned in scriptures: Agape, Eros, Philia and Storge.
Agápe (ἀγάπη agápē) means selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love. This is the highest form of love mentioned in the Bible. Jesus Christ displayed this kind of divine love to his Father and to all humanity-John 14:21. Éros (ἔρως érōs) love on the other-hand is defined as "passionate love"( sensual desire and longing). This is the physical, sensual love between a husband and wife.The Modern Greek word "erotas" means "intimate love;" however, eros does not have to be sexual in nature. Even though, scriptures doesn't directly use this Greek term, it is portrayed in -The Song of Solomon and in
1 Corinthians 7. Philia (φιλία philía) is the third type of love. It means friendship or affectionate love in modern Greek. It is a dispassionate virtuous love, a concept developed by Aristotle. Philia means close friendship or brotherly love in the Greek language. This is where Philiadelphia derived-Romans 12:10. Storge (στοργή storgē) means "affection" in ancient and modern Greek. It is natural affection, like that felt by parents for their children. Storge is also called family love. This is a type of loving bond among mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. Eventhough, this Greek term does not directly appear in the Bible. However, many examples of family love are found in Scripture, such as the love and mutual protection among Noah and his wife, their sons and daughters-in-law in Genesis 7:7-13 , 8:4-14, at the time of the flood. We also see this type of love between Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus in the gospels. -John 13:1-11
As impressive as the Greeks were in categorizing love; there is still nothing the comes close to the source of all love. The scriptures tell us that the source of all love is God. The real meaning of "biblical love" is clearly defined in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8:
" 4. Love is patient,I love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,it keeps no record of wrongs. 6. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always
perseveres 8. Love never fails."
If we are to walk in radical love, we must emulate Christ . Christ gave his life for all of us on the cross. Love requires that we watch out for others and not just ourselves. Love is not about "me" but about "others". God is calling us to lifestyle of love in 2014. Its not easy to love our enemies or those who have hurt us but we still have to love. As we all know, its difficult to love those who have hurt us without first understanding the revelation of love. John the beloved tells us that we love because he first loved us-John 4:19. If we are to serve our colleagues, neighbors, family and city in 2014, we need the revelation of love stamped on our hearts. Its difficult to consistently serve people we don't love. So, today if we have seen God's love in our life, we also have responsibility to share Christ love where-ever we go. Well, as I close out this blog, I leave you with this quote: " Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do... but how much love we put in that action."-Mother Teresa - by Seyi Olagunju
Agápe (ἀγάπη agápē) means selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love. This is the highest form of love mentioned in the Bible. Jesus Christ displayed this kind of divine love to his Father and to all humanity-John 14:21. Éros (ἔρως érōs) love on the other-hand is defined as "passionate love"( sensual desire and longing). This is the physical, sensual love between a husband and wife.The Modern Greek word "erotas" means "intimate love;" however, eros does not have to be sexual in nature. Even though, scriptures doesn't directly use this Greek term, it is portrayed in -The Song of Solomon and in
1 Corinthians 7. Philia (φιλία philía) is the third type of love. It means friendship or affectionate love in modern Greek. It is a dispassionate virtuous love, a concept developed by Aristotle. Philia means close friendship or brotherly love in the Greek language. This is where Philiadelphia derived-Romans 12:10. Storge (στοργή storgē) means "affection" in ancient and modern Greek. It is natural affection, like that felt by parents for their children. Storge is also called family love. This is a type of loving bond among mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. Eventhough, this Greek term does not directly appear in the Bible. However, many examples of family love are found in Scripture, such as the love and mutual protection among Noah and his wife, their sons and daughters-in-law in Genesis 7:7-13 , 8:4-14, at the time of the flood. We also see this type of love between Martha, Mary and their brother Lazarus in the gospels. -John 13:1-11
As impressive as the Greeks were in categorizing love; there is still nothing the comes close to the source of all love. The scriptures tell us that the source of all love is God. The real meaning of "biblical love" is clearly defined in 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8:
" 4. Love is patient,I love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
5. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered,it keeps no record of wrongs. 6. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
7. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always
perseveres 8. Love never fails."
If we are to walk in radical love, we must emulate Christ . Christ gave his life for all of us on the cross. Love requires that we watch out for others and not just ourselves. Love is not about "me" but about "others". God is calling us to lifestyle of love in 2014. Its not easy to love our enemies or those who have hurt us but we still have to love. As we all know, its difficult to love those who have hurt us without first understanding the revelation of love. John the beloved tells us that we love because he first loved us-John 4:19. If we are to serve our colleagues, neighbors, family and city in 2014, we need the revelation of love stamped on our hearts. Its difficult to consistently serve people we don't love. So, today if we have seen God's love in our life, we also have responsibility to share Christ love where-ever we go. Well, as I close out this blog, I leave you with this quote: " Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do... but how much love we put in that action."-Mother Teresa - by Seyi Olagunju
Day 5: January 15th. Pray that we fall deeply in Love with Christ: Before we can Love the Lord deeply we must first understand his Love for us. God has called us to Love him and everyone around us. We must Love those we are called to reach with the gospel but we must first fall in Love with Christ. So let ask HIM to help us to love. -John 15:9-17, Romans 8:37-39, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8, 1 John 3:14-16, 1 John 2:7-17
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