Love Series
We will be doing a series on Love. We will be talking about what Love Is, What Love is Not, God’s Love, and Love for Others.
Love Is
1 Corinthians 13
We will be exploring 1 Corinthians 13-the love chapter of the Bible
We will be studying the five Greek words for love, focusing in on Agape Love.
What is Love?
In this article we are going to explore what God calls love. As we look at what love is according to the New Testament it is helpful to look at 5 Greek words for love: Philos, Storge, Eros, Mania, Agape.
Philos-This is a love that is based upon friendship, brotherly love. It is a love based upon familiarity, common purpose, common respect. Feelings are not necessarily involved.
Storge-This is philos love that goes in the direction of affectionate love. It is a love based upon similarity that has emotions. It is the love between a boyfriend and girlfriend. It is a deeper love than philos.
Love is Not
We have explored what love is. As important as knowing what love is, we need to udnerstand what love is not.
Love is Not Abuse
To love someone does not mean we allow them to abuse us or anyone else. We need to abusive people accountable.
Matthew 18:5-6
5 “And whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me;
6 but whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a heavy millstone hung around his neck, and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Love of Christ
When we fully understand God’s love for us, we will be able to love Him and others in a greater way. We will be able to manifest love in the same manner that He does. Too many Christians have not fully comprehended His love and thus do not manifest His love in a very good manner.
When we truly comprehend His love it will take control of us and we will no longer live for ourselves, but will live for Him. Or you may say, we will die for Him. Once we die for Him (allow the old man to die), we truly become new creations and reflect the character of Christ. We will be able to love others in a greater way. We will then be able to effectively become vessels used by Him to reconcile others to Christ and we will become ambassadors for Christ. As ambassadors of Christ we will desire to walk in His righteousness. All of this takes place because of the Love of Christ. Continue reading “Love Series-The Love of God” »
Love Series-Loving Others
Ambassadors for Christ
2 Corinthians 5:20
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Ministry of Reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5:18-1918
Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.