Galatians 5: 22-23
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
Love is a many splendored thing. Love is like oxygen. Love usually refers to feelings. Love for God. Love for people close to you. Friends and Family. Love has levels. There are different types of Love.
Eros- The kind you feel for a significant other. Or a lover. It is a romantic king of love.
Philia- A friend kind. When there is not 'attraction' Love for Neighbors. It is where they got the name for Philadelphia-
Storge- It is similar to Philia but it is like a kinship. It often flows between a parent/ child and child /parent.
Ludus- The early stages of falling in love. The fluttering heart, euphoric feeling when you are with someone.
Mania- OBSESSIVE- This.. is not really the good kind. It is an imbalance of eros and ludus. It can be dangerous is not kept in check. Codependency, jealousy, people with poor self esteem can head in this direction.
Pragma- Enduring Love. This one. It is aged. Mature. Develops over time. It is beyond the physical, it transcends casual. It is unique harmony. Long time friends and long time spouses get this. Compromise, patience, tolerance. It is the kind of Love I know I dreamed of. As I am sure many have.
Philautia- Self Love. This is narcissism. An unhealthy vanity.
Agape- Self-LESS Love. An unconditional love. Spiritual Love. Boundless Compassion. An infinite empathy. Jesus' kind of love.
Jesus said the most important thing was to Love God and Love Others.
Matthew 22: 36-40
“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
Jesus replied, “‘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. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
In 1 John it says He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
As we put down old self and take on His-Self. I choose to start with Love. When the bible speaks of love it has more to do with what we do. It's an action. Works. We may not like the person but we can love them thru the eyes of Christ. Loving the unlovable is not easy but we must do so.
I am going thru the fruits of the spirit. And this seems very basic at times. I have been a christian since I was 16. And well I am 44 now. But there are times I am not loving others. If someone looks sketchy or scares me. If someone is ugly to my family. If someone cuts me off in traffic. Says something rude at the store. WHAT is my reaction? DO I LOVE THEM?
It is easy for me to GIVE to others. I am all for donating time, energy and things. I am extremely compassion to others. I am empathetic to people. But Do I LOVE THEM. Jesus said to. He even went as far as to say to LOVE YOUR ENEMIES. Oh that is a hard one. How do you love someone that is your enemy?
This is HARD. BUT I have to look at the FACT. That I was unlovable at one time. Because of sin I was unlovable. BUT GOD with His Offer of Grace and Mercy made me lovable. So How can I NOT do the same for others.
Bless you! May His Light and Love SHINE on you!
#JesusSaidLOVE
If you live in the Houston area. I am part of a ministry that promotes Christian Businesses. Roofing, Fencing AND Installing Christmas Lights. All companies give back to ministry. And it is something my heart is fully for. It is tied in with a mentoring program and gives men jobs. We have done our men a huge disservice with the emasculating them at home, and in the workplace. I am BIG on a MAN taking his place in the home and work place. Being WHO and WHAT God intended on him to be! SO with that said. 1. If you need services contact the links. 2. If you know of someone who needs a job, contact the links. 3. If you know someone that needs a mentor, : ) Contact the links. And 4.. most importantly #1. Please pray for our team as we step out in faith for HIS Glory.
No comments:
Post a Comment