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Love
Today we are going to start with a subject of which we think
we are all very familiar. Actually it is just one word we use profusely; yet,
the misunderstanding and misuse of this word has caused much confusion in our
clarity of communication. This word is used to explain and sometimes justify
envy, coveting, even lust. What is this word that is so common yet so often
misunderstood or abused? The word is “love”.
The dictionary defines the word “LOVE”
as such:
1a: Affection based on admiration or benevolence.
1b: An assurance of love.
2a: Warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion. < ~ of the
sea >
2b: The object of such attachment or devotion.
3a: Unselfish concern that freely accepts another in
loyalty and seeks his good. (1): A fathers concern of God for man. (2):
Brotherly concern for others.
3b: Man’s adoration for God.
4a: The attraction based on sexual desire. : The
affection and tenderness felt by lovers.
4b: A god or personification of love.
4c: An amorous episode: “LOVE
AFFAIR”.
Who is to explain a word that has such a wide variety of
possibilities in the English language? Emotions ranging anywhere from a sexual
compassion between two reproducing mates, a mother’s feelings for her children,
a desire for material things, the feeling one has for his/her friends, or it can
even be defined as a willingness to sacrifice yourself for the well being of
another. There are a lot of different meanings to the word “love,” but the most
powerful and important meaning of “love” is the one that Christ speaks of and
teaches about in the scriptures. So, what does this word mean in the Bible?
There are 281 verses in the Holy Bible that use the word
“Love”. It is used 311 times total. 157 of those verses are in the New Testament
alone, which is the record of Christ’s ministry here on earth. In order to more
fully understand what Jesus meant when He spoke of love, we must study the
context in the scriptures, where each type of love is found. This includes
researching the origin from Greek and Hebrew text. In both the Greek and Hebrew
languages, love is a word which is powerful and full of purpose. It identifies
expression, deep emotion, and many times denotes action all inclusively in one
word! Because of the multiple meaning in Modern English, the Biblical
translation of love becomes confusing and the student of the scriptures has
difficulty comprehending the message. There are over 5,600 English “versions” of
the New Testament. I would suggest that anyone studying the Word of God research
the original text, where possible, and translate from there. The King James
Version Bible (KJV), for instance, is one of my favorite Bible translations. I
personally read from a handful of Bibles available today, but the (KJV) is the
only translation we may use without copyright infringements. To start out, let’s
look at the Greek words used throughout the New Testament.
Agapao Love (God’s love): Most
human beings will never completely understand the fullness of “Agapao” love.
This means to willingly give oneself too; make oneself a sacrifice for; to
completely omit oneself for a greater purpose, usually in reference to God. Take
upon oneself true charity. Can man express such a thing as godly love? God gave
the ultimate example when He gave Himself as a sacrifice for our sins.
Agapao/Agape/Agapetos- Three of the same, yet each very
passionate and defined with an emphasis of its own twist.
Agapao (Greek word- ἀγαπάω) pronounced as “ag-ap-ah'-o”,
Perhaps from “agan” (Greek word-ἄγαν), Agapao defines: (much; to love (in a
social or moral sense): - (be-) love (-ed). There is Agape (Greek word- ἀγάπη)
ag-ah'-pay; love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a
love feast: - (feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love. There is Agapetos (Greek
word- ἀγαπητός) pronounced as ag-ap-ay-tos', From “Agapao” beloved: - (dearly,
well) beloved, dear.)
“Phileo” (Brotherly Love “Man’s Love”): is closely related to
the word “Agapeo”. As with everything
man made, it fails to hold the depth and fullness of God’s Love. Man can never
seem to grasp the fullness of anything godly. We fall short every time we think
we find it! Praise the Lord for “His Love” to mercifully and gracefully
accommodate our failures, molding us back into shape for the next test and
trial.
Phileō (Greek word-
φιλέω)
Pronounced as “fil-eh'-o”
meaning: to be a friend to/or (fond of [an individual or an object]), that is,
have affection for (denoting personal attachment, as a matter of sentiment or
feeling; while Agape is wider, embracing especially the judgment and the
deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety: the
two thus stand related very much as a substance of Agapao. (Agape
being chiefly of the heart, and Phileo of the head); For instance;
specifically to kiss (as a mark of tenderness): - kiss, love
Can we see a difference between these two views of love that
man can carry? One is always selfless, while the other is always selfish.
I would like to focus in John 21:15-17 for three reasons:
First, would be our inability to correctly define meaning of
“love”.
Secondly, too show the depth of God’s love for His sheep.
Thirdly, who is the “Sheep” Christ is talking about?
John 21:15: So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter,
Simon, son
of Jonas,
lovest
(agapaō) thou me
more
than these?
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love (phileō) thee. He saith
unto him, Feed
my
lambs.
John 21:16: He saith to him again the second time,
Simon,
son
of Jonas,
lovest
(agapaō) thou me?
He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love (phileō) thee. He saith
unto him, Feed
my
sheep.
John 21:17: He saith unto him the third time,
Simon,
son
of Jonas,
lovest (phileō)
thou me?
Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And
he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love (phileō)
thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed
my
sheep.
The Lord Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” Three times He
asked this. Do we know why? Surely Peter was able to hear Christ. The reason
Christ repeated Himself three times was because Peter did not understand the
depth of love that Jesus was asking for. We find in the Greek translation that
Christ asked Peter twice if he “Agapao” (loved) Him. Both times Peter responded
by saying yes Lord, I “Phileo” you. Then Christ said, “Peter, do you “Phileo”
love me?” Peter was dismayed, because he realized what the Lord had been asking,
and Peter’s misunderstanding Christ the first two times was great and “Peter
grieved”. Although it is lost in the English, here we see the Greek language has
a compassionate way about the emphasis on each word (Love). It applies
importance and levels of depth along with action, creating a compound of meaning
in just one word. Christ tells Peter that if he loves Him with a truly godly
love, he must serve his fellow man and share the teachings of Christ with
others. This is where the English falls short in translation because the need of
full value of the substance is being left out. By studying the original text we
stumble across little things that bring the fullness to an incomprehensible
evaluation for the novice reader.
Secondly, God’s love is confident and all knowing. The truth
is that God is in total control and in that sovereignty He sets the limits of
His love. Who can regulate God’s love, power and mercy? Is it not possible for
Him to allow us to prove our love to Him? God the Son (Jesus Christ) said once
in John 15:13, that there is no greater way to give love and show love, then to
give of oneself for another…
John 15:13:
Greater
love
hath
no man
than this,
that
a man
lay down
his
life
for
his
friends.
Is this not what Jesus was teaching Peter in that passage
from John 21:15-17? I heard a saying once that said, “If you love something, set
it free… If it comes back then you know it is yours, it truly loves you. It
truly loves you and therefore it can never be taken from you.” God loves us
unconditionally, yet, He allows us to make our own choices to come to Him or
reject Him. Inevitably, in the end, we have no one to blame but ourselves for
our foolish choices. He implies that we will be our own witnesses against
ourselves on that great Day of Judgment so many times throughout the Bible. If
we are forced to follow something or we submit to something against our will, is
that an act of love? Common sense tells us that our Lord has given us the
“Chance to accept or deny” His glorious gift. We make the choice! I personally
believe that this is exactly what God the Father has done for His children. His
will is that none should perish. He loves each one of His creations and that
includes each person He made.
Now thirdly… Who are the “Sheep” in this statement to
Peter in John 21:15-17? The term “Sheep” is
many times referred to by Prophets in the Old Testament
as a symbol of the “people”. We know that the
Lord used the Old Testament stories to show the people
that He is the “Immanuel” spoken of
throughout God’s Holy Word. “Immanuel” literally means:
“God with us” and/or “God in the
flesh”.
Let’s look at Jeremiah; the Prophet prayed to the Lord
calling his people “lost sheep” that have
gone “astray” many times throughout His great and Holy
Word.
Jeremiah 50:6: My people hath been lost sheep: their
shepherds have caused
them to go astray, they have turned them away on the
mountains: they have
gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their
restingplace. {Hebrew
meaning of “restingplace” is “a place to lie down”}
It becomes obvious that Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior is
telling Peter to “feed His people” or “His true followers”. This is obviously an
important message because the Lord repeated Himself three times, “Feed my
people”. Mankind is the “Sheep” that Christ is trying to direct Peter to feed.
Out of Agapeo Love, not Phileo Love. He shows this importance to Peter and to
us. Through His sacrifice He demonstrated that we “all people” are His “Sheep”.
Jesus is the Lord of all mankind. Many have gone “astray” but He searches for us
out of His true love. Our willingness to come brings Him ultimate glory! He uses
phrases like, “He calls His neighbors and friends to rejoice” when the lost are
found.
He will not force us to come back, but He stands at the door
and knocks. Waiting for our hearts to open up and receive His gift. All He asks
is that, once we understand His message and receive Him, we seek to share that
wonderful message with others. I challenge everyone reading to accept the Lord’s
direction to Peter and view love as an action verb instead of a passive noun.
Apply the action in love. Seek to serve others, share the love of God you feel
in your heart, and see what the Lord opens up to you. You may be amazed at the
result!
I pray that everyone who has read this will open up to the
true Love that God has for all His “Sheep”. I pray that we will put our Love
into action, without seeking some rewarding benefit. To God be the glory and to
His service be our joy. I pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Your brother in Christ Jesus,
Pastor J. Charles Roberts
Join us in our next service "Christ's 100 Fold" as we go through the “Lost Sheep” parable and the
importance of identifying the fullness of His flock. We will be linking the
parable with the importance of numeric values of/in the Bible. God bless you all
and I look forward to the next lesson in Christ Jesus.
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