Love is a word that gets thrown around a lot these days. And because it gets used (and misused) so much… I think that it has really lost some of its meaning… or intention anyways. For example I might say, “I love coffee” and in the same conversation say “I love my wife.” Do I love coffee in the same way that I love my wife? Of course not! It’s a shame that the English language only has one word for love. Perhaps if it had more… love would be more meaningful. I think the Greeks were on the right track. They had at least five commonly used words for love which, in my opinion, really helped clarify emotions and expectations… especially when used in the Bible. Here are those five “loves” and some examples of where they appear in the Bible: Eros (E-rose)—"Passionate / Erotic Love"—Song of Songs 1:14, 2:16; Phileo (fill-A-O)—"Friendship / Brotherly Love"—1 Corinthians 13:1-7; Koinonia (coin-O-nee-ah)—"Sharing Love"—Acts 4:32-35; Storge (store-gay)—"Compassionate Love"—Matthew 25:35-40; and Agape (ah-gah-pay)—"Self-less / Self-Giving Love"—1 John 4:7-11. Jesus Christ was all about love. His life was a living testimony to the power of love. He is also the greatest example of love we have. His love (agape) was shown when he died on the cross to wipe away our sins and offer us complete redemption… there is no greater love than that action. Jesus makes that point clear in John’s gospel when he says: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). And although we may never be capable of displaying that type of love here on earth… we are still called to strive for it. When Christ said “love” it had meaning, it had purpose and it still does today. This month I challenge you to remember, and practice Christ’s greatest command: Love God and Love Others. Happy February!
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