LOVE

“Love is patient, love is kind. 
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, 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.”
I Corinthians 13:4-8

The first attribute in the “Fruit of the Spirit” is love.  The love we experience in

the world does not sound like these verses. Did you know there are different types

of love? The Bible uses these three words which are all translated love: agape which

is divine unconditional love, eros which is passionate love and philia or phileo which

is friendship or brotherly love.

Agape love is not conditional and manipulative. It is benevolent and committed to

doing what is in the best interest of another, no matter their behavior.  God loves us

just the way we are and because of His love for us, he sent His son, Jesus Christ, to us

to show us His love and provide a way for us to have a personal relationship with Him.

The love God has for the world doesn’t refer to feelings, but to an intentional attitude

of devotion.  Celebrate love by spending some special time alone with the Lord,

developing your personal relationship with Him, asking Him to continue to work in

your life and to fill you with His agape love for others.

Additional verses for this week:
John 15:13
Romans 13:10
Ephesians 4:2
Hebrews 13:1-2
I John 3:16-18
I John 4:10

                                                                                  Joyce