WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT
“He that loveth not knoweth not God, for God is love, 1 John 4:8.
Love and God are one in the same. They cannot be separated. To understand God you must understand love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 gives us a clear definition of love (agape). This list of characteristics is all inclusive, that is to say, neither can stand alone. It starts with “love suffers long and is kind” but it does not end there. Love is a sum total of the complete list. You cannot rejoice in cannot rejoice in iniquity and walk in love. You cannot suffer long and be an unkind person. It just does not work that way. If you are lacking in one of the listed characteristics, then you are lacking in your love walk.
When we know and understand what real love is and can walk in that love it changes us. First, though, we need to distinguish between the different types of love.* Agape is unconditional, self-sacrificing love.
* Phileo is devotion, trust, friendship, things in common, brotherly love
* Eros is sexual love
* Storge is the love of natural development within a family; i.e. mother for a child
Agape is the only one we learn to walk in, because of its unconditional nature, and because it is spiritual. Since we live in the soul realm, we can turn on and turn off our emotions based on our surroundings. If it feels good we love it, if it makes us feel bad then we hate it. It is a cycle that is not pleasing to God and it shows Him in an unfavorable light. God is love, and if we say we are people who walk in love but we can turn it on and turn it off what does that say about God? Only agape will restore God’s image to the world.
In John 21:15, Jesus asked Peter “Lovest thou me more than these?” The word Jesus used was agape. Peter answered, “yea, Lord thou knowest that I love thee”. Peter used the word phileo. Words have so many meanings, and often times only your actions can backup what you really mean. Remember love is an action word. If you say you love me then what are you doing about it? God is calling us all to a higher form of love. Peter was devastated when Jesus came down to his level of understanding and for the third time asked, “Simon, son of Jonah, lovest thou me?” The word Jesus used the third time was not agape but phileo. Peter responded with the same word, phileo. “Lord thou knowest that I love thee”.
Agape, the real love, is not simply a conscious decision, but requires a diligent effort and constant practice. So, are you ready to answer the high call of agape? Are you ready to live an unconditional life of love? Can you honestly say that you are “Living The Love Walk”? Until next time….
Yours in Christ Jesus,
Pastor Rosita
