Do you know our wonderful sharing God?
I have been thinking about this past Valentine’s Day, and the beautiful card my wife gave me. We both through prayer always look for special words that will touch each other’s heart and the good Lord always delivers! This prompted me to make some observations about this special day that is based upon love and what kind of love that is?
I wonder how many times a day the words are spoken “I love you”? On Valentine’s Day they really come into focus. From life’s experiences many can remember that special moment when the person you are crazy about says I love you! Your heart soars, you sing for joy, the world becomes a beautiful place, life is great!
How many reading this blog truly understand what love is? How many know that there are various kinds of love and that there is only one true love and not all have it or are capable of having it? I wish to go through the types of love that are common to the world and the one that is uncommon to the world. The first is a friendly social love that is common to everyone, an example from God’s word is that the wicked have this love for the world and it is not pleasing to God. James 4:4 The Greek word for this love is “Phileo” Before receiving the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost the Lord Jesus revealed to Peter that he did not have true love for him. It is only through understanding the Greek words for love that we can understand why Peter was grieved after the Lord had asked him the third time if he loved him. Jesus twice used the Greek word “Agape’” (God’s love). Peter’s reply both times was the Greek word “Phileo” (Friendly love). The third time Jesus asked the question and he used the Greek word Phileo, in other words, Jesus was asking if he truly loved him even as a friend? Grieved Peter answered; “You know all things and what I am capable of and not.” John 21: 17 NASB. The Lord did this test of Peter so he would understand his need to be empowered by the Holy Spirit in order to love and serve God. On the day of Pentecost he and the disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit who is given to every person the moment they believe in Jesus.
The second type of love is from the Greek word “Eros” from which we get the word Erotic, a sensual sexual love which many in this world have experienced at one time or another. This type of love is contrary to God’s revealed will and is a direct result from mankind’s fall from Adam; it comes through the sin nature. Through Adam mankind turned from loving God to loving “Self” (Being spiritually dead, separated from God). Erotic love being sexual in nature and those with this love cannot deny themselves and will strive to get their pleasures from the other person, taking rather than giving, both partners loving themselves only. In the end they will always reap what they sow as God will not be mocked and God views sex outside of marriage as adultery or fornication, which is sin. Sodom and Gomorrah are an example of those who took erotic love to the max. Not having their sexual desires satisfied through women but they went after animals. They even lusted after the Angels God had sent to deliver Lot and his family from his wrath that was to totally destroy them and their Cities.
The third love is the only true love and can only come through a personal relationship with God. His love is Agape’ love that gives rather than takes. (John 3: 16)
Only true believers in Christ can have Agape’ love for God and their fellow brothers and sisters of the faith. Jesus at the Last Supper commanded them (And all believers) to love one another with Agape’ love and love not the world which the Lord said he didn’t pray for but only those the Father had given him. This is the love we as believers give to ONLY those who belong to the Church, the Spiritual Body of Christ. It is our Father’s Agape’ love through the power of the Holy Spirit and it is NOT for the world. Loving the world would go against God’s word. Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1-John 2: 15 NASB.
We are told to* love our neighbor who can be anybody we come into contact with in the world. It is the “Phileo” friendly, social love and who knows but the Lord if one day through the light of your good works and Godly behavior they may come to a saving faith and then you will love them with Agape’ love as a brother or sister in Christ.
*Jesus displayed this friendly love even to Judas who betrayed him, calling him in the Psalms, his close friend. Even my best friend, the one I trusted completely, the one who shared my food, has turned against me. Psalm 41: 9 NLT.
I wish to share some of the wonderful things our Father God has done for us besides saving us from an eternity in hell by giving us his unspeakable gift of his beloved Son Jesus as a ransom for our sins.
Our sharing God.
He made us his fellow workman
For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. 1-Corinthians 3: 9 NASB.
He shares his secrets with us
This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people. Colossians 1: 26 NLT.
He shares his kingdom with us
Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom. Luke 12: 32 NASB.
He shares his glory with us (Our bodies are his Holy Temple and he dwells in us)
and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8: 30 NASB.
He shares himself with us as we are “Now” partakers of the divine nature and “Have” the mind of Christ.
Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. 2-Corinthians 6: 16 NASB.
He shares the completeness of Christ with us.
Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. 1-John 3: 2 NLT.
Now we know what real love is, giving and sharing without taking anything in return, Jesus being the pure expression of God’s love. He came as a servant and the spotless Lamb of God, the perfect sacrifice for our sins, the just dying for the unjust. It was God’s love for us that sent him to the cross, praise our marvelous Father and God.
Put your trust in Jesus and you will not be disappointed, build your house on him, and no matter how many storms come, your house will stand as its foundation is laid upon him, Jesus, the Rock of Ages.
God bless all, Ken
Feb. 2014