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"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works." II Timothy 3: 16
L O V E "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 How about a man dying for his enemies? "While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8 Did you know there are four Greek words for love? Agapao, Phileo, Storge and Eros? 1. Agapao (25 in the Strong’s Concordance)…the benevolence
which God, in
providing salvation for men, was exhibited by sending his Son to them and
giving him up to death. John 3:16, Romans 8:37, II Thessalonians 2:16,
I John 4:11, 19…the love which led Christ, in procuring human salvation to
undergo suffering and death. Galatians 2:20, Ephesians 5:2, the love with
which God regards Christ…John 3:35, Ephesians 1:6
2. Phileo (5368 in Strong’s Concordance) Friendship...the happiest and most fully human of all loves, the crown of life and the school of virtue…something that raises us almost above humanity. This love, free from instinct, free from all duties, but those which love has freely assumed...free from jealousy, and free without qualification from the need to be needed, is eminently spiritual…David and Jonathan…a relationship between men (or women) at their highest level of individuality. Friends who talk about their common interests and are willing to include like-minded others. 3. Storge – Affection...especially of parents to offspring. It is the humblest of the loves. Gradual and unemphatic, a base for other loves, it clothes phileo and eros. It is familiar and appreciative of even the most unpromising people. It is not puffed up; it suffers long and it kind. 4. Eros - Erotic Love...or love between the sexes. Eros wants the Beloved. This is the body’s share in marriage, which by God’s choice, is the mystical image of the union between God and Man and on the moral level, in view of the obligations involved and the incalculable momentousness of being a parent and ancestor…has great emotional seriousness in the minds of participants. C. S. Lewis’ book "The Four Loves" One of my viewers "like Peter," reminded me the word Eros is never mentioned in the Bible. Faith, Hope and Love, but the greatest of these is Love. (Read I Corinthians 13) In John 21:15-17 Jesus asks,
"Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these?
" Agape (25) self-sacrificing love, or do you love me enough to
die for me. More than these, the fellow disciples, intimate friends,
relatives or companions and He called Peter by his original name, who
responds, "Yea, Lord: thou knowest that I love thee.
Phileo (5368) or I love you like a brother. Peter did not profess
more than these’. "Feed my lambs." Feed, first and third
time means to provide with pasture. Lambs signify less advanced
disciples, young or old. Jesus repeats The question do you love me?
Agape (25) and Peter responds again Phileo (5368). Feed my sheep,
the more experienced Christians. The second time feed is to tend like
a shepherd. In the third question Jesus seeing Peter's distress
says, do you love me like a brother Phileo (5368) and Peter
responds with the same word, Phileo (5368).
Peter denied Christ three times, so Christ was pleased to repeat the question three times. He pardons our sins, but rebukes them since He abhors sin. Our sincerity in our love of God, will be tested, examined and proved, whether we can stand. No one can qualify if they do not love the Shepherd more than any earthly object. The Lord restores Peter to his ministerial office, confirms him as an apostle and tells him of his martyrdom. The stretching out of his arms indicates the cross and history tells us Peter was crucified at Rome when he was old, sheltered til the church was better established. Peter encouraged and faithful took care of the sheep until the end following the example of His Master, the Good Shepherd. "Doubt whispers, "Thou art such a blot
George MacDonald
"God has such a disposition towards us in Christ, that even in our
afflictions we have large occasion of thanksgiving. For what is fitter or
more suitable for pacifying us, that when we learn that God embraces us in
Christ so tenderly, that he turns to our advantage and welfare everything
that befalls us? Let us therefore, bear in mind that this is a special remedy
for present evils that torment us, and to direct our views to a consideration
of a different nature--how God stands affected towards us in Christ."
If you have an irregular person in your life, spend time
in prayer for them. You cannot have ill will toward someone you are praying
for daily.
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