Love�Love �Love �Love is all you need, right? What does the bible say about Love? How can we tell true love and not be fooled by evil? The answer is found in the scripture which says "God is Love."
I have heard ministers preach on three Greek words for Love; Agape, Philio and Eros. But only two are found in the New Testament Greek. Agape, also translated charity and means giving without expecting something in return. Agape describes God's unconditional Love for one another. Philio means brotherly love like the love for family members. But Eros is never mentioned in the bible. In fact the Greek Eros was a mythological Greek sex god used in idol worship during the 400 silent years between Old and New Testaments. God would not use idol worship to describe love. "Eroticism" has unfortunately evolved to mean the sexual aspect of physical love. But that is the counterfeit and not the real thing. The difference between Love and lust is sometimes hard to find. But Love is not self seeking, lust is. Lust is never satisfied but love is. Lust only burns for more, like a fire that never says enough, Proverbs 30:16.
Pure desire comes from God and a spiritually healthy heart. Real love must fit into the context of God's unconditional Love and/or brotherly affection. Each type of relationship God has created will fit into these two kinds of love. Whether it is parents and children, brothers and sisters or even husbands and wives, God's love is the type we want to have.
Eph 5:1-3 says, �Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.� This same Love is reemphasized for a husbands toward wives in Eph 5:25, "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;"
This sacrificial love is for all believers. This offering a "sweet-smelling savour." Eph 5:2, is special. It is no coincidence that it is a Love offering (not sin offering) to the Lord.
It is how we are to love one another. As it says, "Therefore be imitators of God.
Valentine *(note) God did not create homosexuality or pedophilia. The Greek god Eros was a homosexual sex idol or young man-boy and/or male concubine. As Roman culture replaced the Greeks, Eros became younger still. He went from a boy to an infant with wings shooting arrows. This chubby cherub is seen each year on valentine cards and gifts.
It is unfortunate that only God can possess unconditional love. The reason why we can't use that term here on earth is because of the flesh.
I think much can be forgiven but abuse is the only thing both men and women should not endure. That is the reason why people who possess unconditional love for someone is considered "co-dependent" and is label with a psycho/sociological disorder.
Could we really be as Christ? Be beaten to a bloody pulp and die a slow and agonizing death , forgive and still love the one who is doing it to us? Can we really possess "Unconditional love"?
The bible says we are to put on the mind of Christ and I know it is easier said than done. I have forgiven my abusers. And I do believe that we can love unconditionally if we see people through His eyes.
