This is where I will post things that God puts on my heart, or that I find that touch me.They will vary in content, but always, they will point to the need for Jesus in our lives. It is my prayer that what you find here will be a blessing to you, an encouragement, or a pointer to the answers you seek as you live your life. If anything you find here touches you, we'd like to know it. Go to our contact page and drop us a note, so we may know how God is touching your life.
“What About Love?”
Part I
Bishop J.G. Kramer
Text: John 13:34-35
“34A new commandment I give unto you,That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.35By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”KJV
Do we see a theme here?I believe we do.However, the word “love” is one we often take for granted and do not fully understand; therefore, let’s take a look at various types of love as described in God’s Word and let the Holy Spirit enlighten us.Some of you know at least portions of this, while others may have never studied this.Even if you have considered this previously, it is never a waste to perhaps view issues from God’s Word from a different perspective.Just food for thought.
As I began working on this article a few weeks ago and decided to look at the Greek words for love, again I realized how little we truly know about them.Then, a few days ago I was listening to a preacher on television, and he talked about the same words.During his message, he made the following statement and God quickened the truth of it to my heart.The bold words were his and the rest are mine.
1.Lust always wants, never being fully satisfied.It is the basis of the appetites of the flesh (all of them) out of control.When we focus on lust, it dominates all else in our thinking, blinding us to God’s best for us in every area of life.
2.Love always waits, knowing the Lord God has provided everything we need to find peace and satisfaction.This is the biblical approach pointing us in the direction regarding how we should live and enjoy all that God has for us.
When we look at love in the NT, we find that it was actually used in several different ways, and the reason is that the NT manuscripts were written in Greek, and not in English.In some ways English is a rather limiting language when it comes to being able to adequately convey the full depth of meaning, especially regarding love.And so, let’s look at just four of the Greek words for love, to get some insight regarding the often misused word, asking for God’s Wisdom to fill our hearts and minds.
● Eros: (pronounced: AIR-ose)Although this Greek term does not appear in the Bible, eros, or erotic love, is portrayed in the Old Testament book, The Song of Solomon. God is very clear in his Word. Sex outside of marriage is forbidden.God created humans male and female and instituted marriage in the Garden of Eden.
Within marriage, sex is used for emotional and spiritual bonding and for reproduction.The Apostle Paul noted that it is wise for people to marry to fulfill their godly desire for this type of love:“Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion. 1 Corinthians 7:8 [1]
● Storge:(pronounced: STOR-jay) As with eros, this Greek term does not 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; the love of Jacob for his sons; and the strong love the sisters Martha and Mary in the gospels had for their brother Lazarus.The family was a vital part of ancient Jewish culture. In the Ten Commandments, God charges his people to “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12, NIV[1]
● Philia: (pronounced: FILL-ee-uh)Philia means close friendship or brotherly love in Greek. This is one of the four types of love that is found in the Bible.Philia and other forms of this Greek noun are found throughout the New Testament. Christians are frequently exhorted to love their fellow Christians: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:10 ESV[1]
● Agape: (pronounced: uh-GAY-pay) This Greek word and variations of it are found throughout the New Testament. Agape perfectly describes the kind of love Jesus Christ has for his Father and for his followers:“Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”John 14:21, NIV. Jesus lived out agape by sacrificing himself for the sins of the world. [1]
Consider this as I close: The first two types of love derive more directly from the physical or carnal realm.The second two types of love derive more directly from the spiritual or Godly realm.As the Lord leads, it is my hope that I may be able to develop these thoughts further.But, I feel there is enough here to think about for now.
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