Storge – Affection; like in a family; you don’t necessarily like their characteristics but you love them because they are part of your life
Phileo – Friendship; a strong bond between people of like interest or common activities; brotherly love by choice
Eros – Romance; erotic; it is the case of “being in love”; couples develop this kind of love for each other
Agape – Unconditional Love; the God-kind of love; without conditions or boundaries; unselfish; seeks no return; is not emotionally based. I Cor 13
God is the only one who can truly agape. Our love is always rooted in our self interest. We often think that we love unconditionally but our conduct toward those we say we agape changes based on their response or reciprocation to our offer of love.
Rom 5:6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
Rom 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
Rom 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
God loves everyone, whether they accept His free gift of eternal life or reject it. Once we receive this precious gift with no strings, the powerful presence of God’s Spirit dwells within us and we began to see that through evidences of the God-kind of love that will start to manifest itself in us.
1Jn 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
This love always gives and never requires a return. We can only love Him because He first loved us. Then we serve because of that love and not for reward. Then He rewards because of that love not to receive more service.
Do you love Him? Jesus asked Peter twice if he agape Him and Peter responded that he phileo Him. Jesus asked the third time if he phileo Him and Peter was grieved and answered yes. Are you just an acquaintance or do you have His Spirit dwelling in you demonstrating His love.
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