“Looking For Love”
God is Sovereign over all things, even over great rock bands. The rock band Foreigner sings an awesome song, I Want To Know What Love Is. In this powerful song are these lyrics; "In my life there's been heartache and pain. I don't know if I can face it again. I can't stop now, I've traveled so far to change this lonely life. I want to know what love is. I want you to show me. Let's talk about love, I want to feel you inside. I know you can show me, yeah."
Mature born again Christians strive to understand love and they surrender to the Holy Spirit to live out true love to everyone they meet. What the world needs now is true love, true Biblical love. But just what is Biblical love? There are four types of love. The Greek language uses four separate words that describe different kinds of human affection and are all translated as “love” in English.
The Greek word “eros” is defined as a passionate emotion. It is physical sexual attraction, infatuation or lust for power, wealth or fame. It is also indicative of the strong feelings of patriotism. It is commonly selfishly motivated and arises from a person’s own inner desires. The Greek word “storge” is an affectionate emotion. This love is a naturally born emotion and is typical of the bonds between parent and child or the attraction between a loyal citizen and a trustworthy ruler. Both of these types of love are very unstable and are easily affected by present circumstances. They can wax cold and wane depending on the whim of the day.
Unfortunately, these are the very two types of love that seem to be most widely sought after. Certainly most forms of media and music promote these forms of “love.” It is interesting to note that neither of these words is used for the love found in the New Testament.
A third type of love is “phileo.“ This is the cherishing and endearing love of a husband and wife, family members for one another, or the love of life-long friends. It is a deeply tender love that holds someone or something ever so dear to the heart.
True Biblical love only comes from God. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This is “agape” love, the love of God. It is selfless and sacrificial. It is a love that is controlled not by emotion, but by the mind, the reason and the will. It does what is right no matter what the circumstances. This is the love Jesus Christ showed us by dying on the Cross for our sins. He was sinless and guiltless. This love is available to each of us, but it must be received.
Invite Jesus Christ into your life and heart today and enjoy His sacrificial love for you and be enabled to sacrificially love others. Meet the heart cry of the lyrics from that great song sung by Foreigner, show someone what true love is!
