LOVE – An intense feeling of deep affection or a great interest and pleasure in something
-Complex emotion, characterized by deep affection, care,
and commitment to another person or thing
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails…”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 New Living Translation (NLT)
Philos – Brotherly love and friendship. It is a love built on shared values, companionship, and mutual respect.
Storge – A natural affection found within families, like love between siblings or parents and children. It’s often expressed as a bond of loyalty and care that develops within a family unit.
Eros – Refers to romantic and passionate love and is most often associated with physical attraction and intimacy within a marriage.
Agape – The highest form of love, described as selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. It is associated with God’s love for humanity and is considered the foundation for Christian love. Agape is a love that is not based on feelings or emotions, but on a commitment to the well-being of others.
“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment.
Matthew 22:37-38 (NLT)
LOVE GOD WITH ALL THAT YOU ARE
God IS our First Love. He not only IS our First Love, He WANTS to be our First Love.
Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.
Ephesians 1: 15-17 (NLT)
Love God, Love Others
I know all the things you do. I have seen your hard work and your patient endurance. I know you don’t tolerate evil people. You have examined the claims of those who say they are apostles but are not. You have discovered they are liars. You have patiently suffered for me without quitting.
Revelation 2:2 (NLT)
But I have this complaint against you. You don’t love me or each other as you did at first! Look how far you have fallen! Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.
Revelation 2:4 (NLT)
If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love others, I would have gained nothing.
1 Corinthians 13: 1-3 (NLT)
Kind, obedient, even faithful actions without love are empty.
Turn back to me and do the works you did at first. If you don’t repent, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place among the churches.
Revelation 2:5
Is Jesus my first love and am I living in such a way that it’s obvious to those around me?
The most infectious and impactful ministry you can do isn’t something you do at all. It’s simply just being in love with Jesus and letting everything else flow from there.