Dedicated Christian

The Ways People “Love”

posted by Robert Czaplinsky in Christian Lesson, 02 November 2009

We must first get a solid grip on the ‘Two Commandments’ that God requires from all of us before discussing the ‘levels of love’.

Matthew 22: 36-40

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” “This is the first and great commandment.” And the second is like it: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

“On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

According to a survey I recently reviewed, the word ‘love’ appears 354 times in the Holy Bible. This is a clear indication that ‘love’ is one of the premier topics that God chose to address. I would like to share a few scriptures that contain the word ‘love’, but before this will be done, I would like to share some deeper thoughts concerning the word love: This paraphrased information comes from noted Christian author C.S. Lewis:

The definition of the word ‘love’ is actually broken down into 4 parts:

Meaning Greek Definition

Affection (storg) Fondness through familiarity; oH

Friendship (philia) share a common interest

Eros (Venus) ‘being in love’

Charity (agape) caring regardless of circumstance

When studying these words that are used to clarify the word ‘love’, I am convinced that the ‘types of love’ can and often do overlap!

The phrase ‘agape love’ is the love that is being referred to in the Two Great Commandments mentioned above. This ‘agape love’ is never changed, broken, or altered in any way. I further define ‘agape love’ as unconditional love!

Please be clear concerning the ‘type of love’ that God is referring to as I share these next scriptures:

John 14: 23-24

Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep my Word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.

He who does not love Me does not keep My Words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.”

The importance of this information is tied directly to each of us as individuals; It is not up to us to just tell God that we love Him; that is just lip-service on our part.

God has made it clear as to how we tell Him that we love Him:

“If anyone loves me, he will keep my Word, and My Father will love him!”

The method in which we prove to God that we love Him is to live the type of life that he has outlined for us to live in the Holy Bible.

If you are not doing this, God perceives this as you ‘not loving Him’.

I have spoken to so many people in the past weeks who have stopped reading the Bible completely. How can you possibly know God’s Word if you do not know what His Word is saying to you? THINK: If your life seems upside down, the Word of God can, AND WILL, turn you around and get you started in the right direction!

Let me take a moment to share just a few scriptures that talk about love:

Leviticus 19:18

You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

Deuteronomy 6:5

You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.

(If you took notice, these are scriptures found in both the Old and New Testaments!

Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.

Songs of Solomon 2: 4

He brought me to the banqueting house, and His banner over me was love.