Getting Started With Love (Part 1) Series

1If I could speak in any language in heaven or earth but didn’t love others, I would be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or clanging cymbal. 2If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I knew all the mysteries of the future and knew everything about everything, but didn’t love others, what good would it be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good to anybody. 3If 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 be of no value whatsoever. (1 Corinthians 13:1-3)

There was once a Baptist preacher from South Carolina who dreamed of leading a Bible College. Like all dreams that are worthwhile, he had to work hard to make it happen. He studied and applied himself in the academic world, and in time he achieved what he had felt destined to all of his life - he became the president of a Bible College.

And then it began to happen. Day by day, little by little, he watched as his precious wife sipped away in the devastating grip of Alzheimer’s. He must have died a little each day along with her, and he soon realized that he could not possibly take care of her and be the president of a Bible College.

And so he gave up his presidency to care for his wife. His peers in the academic world were incredulous. “What are you doing?” they asked. “Your wife doesn’t even know who you are!”

The man answered, “She might not know who I am, but I know who she is. She’s the woman I made a promise to until death do us part.” (1)

He kept the promise and did the honorable thing.

Did you realize that your greatest dream in life is not to attain a prestigious position; or to make a million dollars; or become a star? There’s nothing wrong with those things. But in the end, they don’t really matter. What is your greatest need?

To be loved.

Our greatest need in life is to be loved. An entire chapter in the Bible was dedicated to help us understand our need for love and how to experience it in a healthy way. Our greatest need is to love and be loved! And not just any love - but a supernatural love that only God can provide. Are you interested? Then, read on…

All I Need Is Love

What The World Needs Now…Is Love Sweet Love

Love Letters In The Sand

Just An Old Fashioned Love Song

Love Me Tender

These songs from the 40’s, 50’s, 60’s and 70’s are a reminder that we cannot escape the reality of the importance of love in our lives. Poets have written passionate sonnets about it; musicians have written great songs about it; artists have represented it on canvas; and Hallmark helps us to say it just the right way every Mother’s Day.

In the English language, there is one primary word for love. We say I love my wife, I love God, and I love ice cream.

Here are three different types of affection or love, but one word in English for all three. I love God, I love my wife and I love Lapert’s ice cream. But I express that love differently with each. If I don’t, I’m in trouble - not to mention overweight!

The language of the New Testament, Greek, is very expressive and descriptive, finding a number of meanings and nuances in its descriptions. For the Greeks, there were four different words used to express love which, broadens our understanding of what love is:

1. Eros Love. Associated with a physical or sensual type love. It is here that we get our English word “erotic.” God is the creator of this type of love. He validated its place in the lives of humans by placing an emphasis of this type of love in one of the books of the Bible - the Song of Solomon. Read it through; in some places it is enough to make you blush.

2. Storge Love. This word is associated with family ties or relationships. This is love for your brother or sister, a dad or a son. It is often referred to as a familial type love.

3. Philo Love. This word is often translated friendship love. Philadelphia, “The City of Brotherly Love,” is named for this type of love. This love is psychological and social in nature. It is used in reference to God and man.

4. Agape Love. This final word for love comes from God. In fact, the definition didn’t exist until God sent His son Jesus Christ. What Jesus Christ did on Calvary best describes agape love: “For God so loved (agaped) the world….” (John 3:16)