What's Love Got To Do With It?

What's Love Got to do With It?

Back in 1984 Tina Turner asked a question that we're going to look into. That year she released her hit song “What's Love Got to do With It?” In this song she tells us that love is nothing “but a second-hand emotion.” That's not at all true. Objects that are “second-hand” are things that have been used before & are of lesser value. The value of love is great. Love is at the very heart of Christian belief. Scriptures of God's supreme love are found throughout the Bible. He loves every one of us so much He paid for our salvation by sacrificing the life of His own Son Jesus Christ.

In the New Testament a word John frequently used that is translated as “love” is agape. Agape is the very nature of God. Agape is the word used by believers to describe the special unconditional love of God. The most well known verse in the Holy Bible, John 3:16, tells us that God “so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Christ so loved (agaped) the world that He gave His life. Agape love is the pure unconditional love God has for His Son & every believer in Christ. Several other verses about the love of the Lord are translated from this same word. Romans 5:8 reads, “But God shows his agape for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” John 13:34-35 reads, “A new commandment I give to you, that you agape one another: just as I have agaped, you also are to agape one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have agape for one another.” These are just a few of the verses that feature agape love.

Another word from which love is translated as love is the Greek word phileo. Phileo describes a special interest in something or someone. Phileo describes a deep affection shown to a friend or family member. To understand the difference in meanings of these words for love we could say that you will always agape love your spouse or children, but not always phileo them. Things will happen that cause you to like them less but you will always have a pure love in your heart for them regardless of the circumstances.

Jesus had a conversation with Peter that is another example of these two love-words. After Peter had denied Jesus 3 times Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him. In John 21 we see where Jesus went to Peter & said, “ do you love (agape) me more than these (referring to other disciples or fish)?” Peter responded, “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love (phileo) you.” A second time Jesus asked, “do you love (agape) me?” Peter replied, “Yes, Lord,” he said to him, “you know that I love (phileo) you.” Peter still wasn't getting the question Lord Jesus was asking him. They were talking about two different degrees of love. Jesus asked one last time, “do you love (agape) me?” It grieved Peter that Jesus had asked him the same thing three times. Peter told Christ again, “Lord, you know everything; you know that I love (phileo) you.”

Phileo love is a strong friendship or adoration more than the pure Agape love of God.

The Bible is filled with stories of God's great, unconditional love. In the book of Matthew we see a story of God's love & commitment to His people. Jesus often told parables to teach principles of the Kingdom of God. In the 18th chapter of Matthew Jesus' disciples came to Him to ask a question. They asked Lord Jesus who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus told them that the greatest in God's kingdom are those who have childlike innocence & humility. He said, “Truly I tell you,”he said, “unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child—this one is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.“

After He told them these qualities are required to be residents of God's kingdom He told another story that pointed out how God loves & values all people greatly. He asked His disciples what their opinion would be in a matter concerning sheep. Sheep are loyal animals to their shepherd. They recognize the voice or call of their shepherd & respond to them. In the Kingdom of Heaven, & this parable, our Lord is represented as the great shepherd & believers are His sheep. In Matthew 18:12 Jesus says, “What do you think? If someone has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, won’t he leave the ninety-nine on the hillside and go and search for the stray? “