“LOVE”

Ephesians 5:2 says, “…Walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma,” and just as we learned on April 6, we ought to imitate our heavenly Father and walk in love just as He loves. But what is love?

Love is generally defined as “a strong positive emotion of regard and affection.” However, there’s so much more the Bible shows us about love.

In the New Testament, the word “love” is often translated from either of two Greek words: “phileo” and “agape.”

Phileo refers to brotherly love; it connotes being fond of someone and inclined to share with that person. The Bible says, “Let brotherly love continue” (Hebrews 13:1), that is, learn to share among yourselves.

Agape, on the other hand, is self-giving love. Unlike phileo, it doesn’t merely share; it sacrifices all. It’s the God-kind of love, and every one of His kids should express it in and to our world.

Love is a conscious choice you have to make. There shouldn’t be anyone you can’t love.

Love is the way of victory. Love everyone genuinely, even when their actions aren’t deserving.