What is Love?

Read or Listen: John 15:12-13

In today’s world, the term LOVE is used so interchangeably between people, things, food, activities, and you get the point! (There are even some days that it is much easier to love things, activities, or even food more than some people.) So what exactly is love? What was Jesus wanting to take away from His teaching in John 15?

You see in our culture today we have totally dumbed-down the meaning of love. I would go as far to say that the world was dirtied up something that God has created to be beautiful. When we look at John 15, in our eyes it’s easy to see the word “love” and then we think we fully grasp the depth of the love Jesus is talking about. That’s not the case though! Did you know that in the Greek language there are different words that mean different kinds of love?

For instance, Eros is physical, sexual, sensual love. From where we get the word erotic. Eros is about chemistry, physical attraction, passion, sexual desire, and romantic love.

Then you have Phileo. Phileo is brotherly or friendship love. This is where the city of Philadelphia, a.k.a. The City of Brotherly Love, gets its name. This kind of love is about companionship, camaraderie, partnership, mutual affection, or giving and receiving.

Finally, and the love that Jesus wants us to take away from His teaching in John 15, Agape. Agape love is unconditional love. It is all about unconditional, selfless, and sacrificial love. This love loves even when the recipient doesn’t deserve it or even desire it. When looking at John 15, we see that Jesus is calling us to love like He loves: to love unconditionally. It is only through Him that we are able to love like Him.

Prime-Time Discussion:

Out of these three kinds of love (Eros, Phileo, Agape), which one best describes the way you love others?

Night-Time Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for the depth of Your unconditional love. Transform my heart to love like You do.

devotion by Channing Gillespie

The Most Excellent Way

Read or Listen: 1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Paul said in Galatians that the acts of our sinful nature are obvious.  Because of our humanity, we don’t love as Jesus loved.  In fact, Paul says we have hatred and fits of rage which are the opposite of love and compassion.  Hallelujah we have been born again by the Spirit.   We now live by the spirit and seek to please our Heavenly Father. How do we please him?

Answer…LOVE.  We are to love others because God loved us first.  We are to be imitators of Christ.  But can we love the way He does?  Answer…NO? And that is why we worship Him.  Gods love is beautiful and here’s why.  God’s love (“agape” in the greek) is not based upon our actions, but upon his character.  His character is true and sincere.  God’s love is active and dynamic.  He is pursuing us and intimately working in our lives because he loves us.  God does not love because he expects something in return, but because he is love! His love is evident because of the gift of salvation…free for the taking.  Our Father’s love is not conditional upon how loveable we are, because lets be honest…at our core we are not very loveable.  Even at our best we cannot match this kind of love.  The Bible says “greater love hath no man…”

You will probably recognize this quote from the movie Fireproof,
“I did everything I could to demonstrate that I care about her, to show value for her, and she spat in my face! She does not deserve this, Dad. I’m not doing it anymore! How am I supposed to show love to somebody over and over and over who constantly rejects me?”
It was at this point that He saw the cross and realized the magnitude of God’s love.

This kind of love is monumental, colossal and never changing.  How many ways can we say it?  If Jesus were right here face to face with you the first words out of his mouth would be “I love you.”  God’s grace is proof of this.  Grace by definition is love or favor that is unmerited.  Not only did we not ask for this love, we rejected it.  Still,  God loved.

Prime-Time Discussion:

So what is the most excellent way?

Paul tells us in Corinthians 13.  If you have unlimited knowledge and understanding.  If you give exponentially and do amazing things for the good of others.  If you can speak with all eloquence and unfold the scriptures with amazing clarity but have not love…you are nothing.

Love is the most excellent way because God is unfailing and so is His love.

devotion by Eric Tyree