"I love restored old tractors and I love my wife." Now, I know Vicki (my wife) does not appreciate being affectionately compared to repainted 60 year old pieces of iron farm equipment. My opening statement shows the limitations of our English language. Other languages have developed ways to give clarity and show emotion. The Geek language does this. For the word LOVE, it contains four words to identify a specific type of love;
As i stated above, loving tractors and my wife are literally two different ways but the word stays the same. This causes confusion.
So let's clear it up;
Phileo: which is a love between friends (Like Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love)
Eros: is the sense of being "in love" (it is where we get the word erotic from)
Storge: is Affection, love of family
Agape: the unconditional love or going so far as to love the unlovable.
The Agape is not as common as the others, and it is the most difficult for people to do. It is a word that was developed to describe the character of God.
So what does this particular love look like?
I refer again...to the Bible, 1 Corinthians chapter 13.
Perhaps you have heard or even memorized this but have you really look at it carefully?
The Apostle Paul (St. Paul) is writing to the church in Corinth (Greece). They are one of the early Christian churches and are they feeling pretty good about themselves. Ther are bragging about their spiritual gifts and their faith. But Paul sees them failing in their conduct especially toward each other!
So Paul, (inspired by God) writes to redirect them by reminding them who God is and showing them what they have become.
In the 13th chapter by Paul states great things that can be done in front of people for others. But without love, he says...they are worthless in the eyes of God.
In verses 4-8 Paul gets to the nitty gritty of what really looks like.
He writes that Agape love;
suffers long and is kind
does not envy
does not seek attention and is not arrogant
does not behave rudely and does is not selfish
is not provoked
does not keep a record of wrongs
does not rejoice in shortcomings but rejoices in the truth
bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things
(Agape) Love NEVER fails
How valuable and necessary are those things in our relationships? How valuable would friendships, families and marriages be if this type of love was accessible and used? Priceless!
And of course thos relationships would never fail, how could they!
My friends, this is the character of God, and it is the type of relationship He wants to have with each one of us. How can He do this? Simple, He is selfless. This describes His love for us!!!
Whether we deserve it or not, He gives it and its out there for us. This encourages us. It gives us a strength to tolerate and motivates us to do the same for others. But a response is needed. when we find out it is there and respond, that's when it really gets good.
True love is contagious."Get infected" God is the source.
When I teach the teens in our church about this. I apply it to family, marriage and friends.
I watch the faces of the young woman react and they say "I want that".
Who doesn't?
This love passes gender, race, rank, socio-econimic and age barriers. I have enjoyed the years that I have been able to give this "greatest gift" to thers. I have been blessed to be on the receiving end too. I look forward to giving more.
Here is the challenge. Study those descriptions of real love and give them a try. Oh I know you will have opportunity. Thanksgiving is coming and so are relatives, neighbors, kids and friends. I am pretty sure you can find one (or more) who is practically unlovable. If not how about the next business meeting or shopping experience? If not there, perhaps you are the one who thinks they are unlovable and you need someone to be patient with you or even forgive you? God has already been doing that for you!!
Remember, you are not able to do this successfully on your own. You need to know that God has done this for youo first. So if you want, ask Him and He will help you.
In Closing; I phileo old tractors. My wife gets Agape and more ;-)
Next month: A Happy Holyday
May God Bless You and Keep You (In His Agape love)
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