God is Love!
Nearly everyone who has been to church, or has associated with a Christian, has probably heard the words “Love” and “God” in the same sentence. What does "Love" mean to those who hear the word? Do people understand the magnitude, or can anyone grasp the depth or breadth of the value of this Love.
Unfortunately the word love in the English language has a limited meaning and is used and overused in different sentences and for various messages. Unlike the English language, the Greek language contains different words for love, all with different meanings. The main three words are Agape, Filio, and Eros. The word Eros pertains to the desire of the flesh. For example I love pizza, or cheeseburgers, or I love this pretty woman… The word Filio is the felling we have for our loved ones (for instance brotherly love, family love or friendship affections). The word Agape is a selfless kind of love and affection. It is not physical but mental and spiritual. It is the Godly love that does not expect anything in return. The act of charity toward others, the sincere attitude of goodwill toward others is the Love that God is all about.
It would be easy to spend pages of time teaching the love of God and in future posts I will deal on this subject on a deeper level. By learning what Agape love is, we understand God! And once we begin to grasp the meaning, then we can start to emulate the goodness of God. He says “….and learn from Me…” (Mt 11:29). Also it says “And they shall all be taught by God. Every one who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me” (Jn 6:45).
Let me get back to the phrase, “God is Love.” This means that every thing about God is for our good. When He created man, He gave him authority over everything, so that man can enjoy life forever, without sickness or disease and without pain or sorrow (Gn 1:26)! But it was man who made a mess of God’s plans. And I might add that man is still making things even messier. When I was in my teens, young people lived and behaved much more decent than they do today. I feel so bad that young people are not learning the qualities of life, like self respect and respect for others. The devil is having a field day with both young people and adults alike, just look at the number of broken homes and dysfunctional families. This is not the Love of God and He certainly did not plan it that way! Remember God is Agape and only good and perfect things come from Him. (Jm 1:17). He wants the families to live together and to love each other.
Now here is the good news! Because God is Love He made a provision, He gave us a second chance, to recreate us into the people He wanted from the beginning. “He became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory…” (Jn1:14). He paid the penalty for Adam’s disobedience and transgression and gave us permission to be a part of His family, all because He is Love! Glory to God in the highest! This is definitely a good reason to say Thank You Christ for what You did on the cross for me, and now I can celebrate Easter with joy in my heart!!
Unfortunately the word love in the English language has a limited meaning and is used and overused in different sentences and for various messages. Unlike the English language, the Greek language contains different words for love, all with different meanings. The main three words are Agape, Filio, and Eros. The word Eros pertains to the desire of the flesh. For example I love pizza, or cheeseburgers, or I love this pretty woman… The word Filio is the felling we have for our loved ones (for instance brotherly love, family love or friendship affections). The word Agape is a selfless kind of love and affection. It is not physical but mental and spiritual. It is the Godly love that does not expect anything in return. The act of charity toward others, the sincere attitude of goodwill toward others is the Love that God is all about.
It would be easy to spend pages of time teaching the love of God and in future posts I will deal on this subject on a deeper level. By learning what Agape love is, we understand God! And once we begin to grasp the meaning, then we can start to emulate the goodness of God. He says “….and learn from Me…” (Mt 11:29). Also it says “And they shall all be taught by God. Every one who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me” (Jn 6:45).
Let me get back to the phrase, “God is Love.” This means that every thing about God is for our good. When He created man, He gave him authority over everything, so that man can enjoy life forever, without sickness or disease and without pain or sorrow (Gn 1:26)! But it was man who made a mess of God’s plans. And I might add that man is still making things even messier. When I was in my teens, young people lived and behaved much more decent than they do today. I feel so bad that young people are not learning the qualities of life, like self respect and respect for others. The devil is having a field day with both young people and adults alike, just look at the number of broken homes and dysfunctional families. This is not the Love of God and He certainly did not plan it that way! Remember God is Agape and only good and perfect things come from Him. (Jm 1:17). He wants the families to live together and to love each other.
Now here is the good news! Because God is Love He made a provision, He gave us a second chance, to recreate us into the people He wanted from the beginning. “He became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory…” (Jn1:14). He paid the penalty for Adam’s disobedience and transgression and gave us permission to be a part of His family, all because He is Love! Glory to God in the highest! This is definitely a good reason to say Thank You Christ for what You did on the cross for me, and now I can celebrate Easter with joy in my heart!!
posted by Rev. Alfred Batarse, PhD. | 10:36 AM
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