The Bible describes God as love, not merely that He loves, but that He is love. His acts and movements are completely a reflection of love. It is important for us to understand the true meaning of love.
The Hebrew word translated as love is Ahavah. However, in Greek, the word love is broken down into different categories to reflect the true meaning of the various emotions and affections that make up what we generally call love. Because of these categories, we are able to understand the word better.
While growing up, and even in my adult life, I found it very difficult to understand when someone told me, “I love you.” Most times, my understanding of love was different from theirs. To me, I should be able to see my understanding of love reflected in your behaviour and not merely in your words.
When I gave my life to Christ, I began to encounter many teachings and revelations from the Word of God. I came to understand that the word love has many meanings, and it is very possible to misunderstand it.
The Greek language has different words to describe the various feelings and affections that are simply termed love. This has greatly helped me in understanding the phrase, “God is love.”
God’s kind of love is described as Agape. This is unconditional love. It is selfless—amazing. This love does not require anything in return.
In all my adult life, which spans about four decades, I have never come across anyone who declares love to you without expecting something in return. This happened to be the first problem I faced when I was told that God loves me unconditionally. Is that even possible?
I am always very suspicious when someone declares undying love to me because I have been hurt so many times and have concluded that nothing comes for nothing. So, as soon as you approach me, I have already built a barrier until I know what you want in return, so that if I can afford it, I may agree. But if you keep telling me, “I just love you and expect nothing in return,” I assume you are lying.
But Agape, God’s kind of love, is different. It represents charity and empathy. It is the highest and most intentional form of love. It seeks the best for others without expecting anything in return.
It is a love that would give His only Son without having the assurance that the object of such love and sacrifice would accept Him. It is as though He made Himself vulnerable. What if…? This is beyond human comprehension.
He was not afraid that the sacrifice of His only Son might be in vain, yet He gave His only begotten Son.
1 John 4:7-11
“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”
Brethren, is it possible to express this kind of love to others? Can you express this kind of unconditional love like God’s own?
You may be a minister in the five-fold ministry or simply a believer. Can you love without expecting anything in return?
God’s love is a love that gives. Pure and unconditional love will always give because it desires the best for the other person. It gives with no conditions attached. It continues to give and give. It cannot withhold any good thing from the object of its love.
If He knows that what you are asking for will lead to your destruction, He will not give it to you, not because He cannot, but because He loves you too much to give you something that will destroy you.
If you, as an earthly father, would not allow your five-year-old child to drive, even though you can afford to buy twenty cars for him, because you know he is not mature enough to handle it, how then do you think your Heavenly Father, who loves you unconditionally, would give you something that could lead to your destruction?
Most times, we ask for things we are not mature enough to handle, and when we are denied them, we believe that God does not love us.
Friend, grow into maturity.
He who spared not His own Son but gave Him up for us all, do you think He will withhold anything good from us? (Romans 8:32).
It is this same love that causes Him to continue forgiving sinners, hoping that one day they will realise their ways and turn to Him, whereas we often count it as weakness or ineffectiveness on His part (2 Peter 3:9).
However, when the fullness of His wrath is kindled, there is none who can deliver from His hand.
Sometimes He corrects, chastises, and disciplines. All these are done in love because He desires the best for His children.
He is ever jealous over the object of His love. He will never allow anyone to do them evil.
There is a name we call God in my dialect. It means that when God fights on your behalf, even you will be afraid.
He is a consuming fire, and He will consume everything in His path if it has to do with rescuing His beloved. He will leave no stone unturned.
You see, God deals with us individually. He has no grandchildren.
So even if it is your own children who join forces with the enemy against you, God will avenge without regard for their relationship to you.
God loves completely and fiercely. When it comes to the enemies of His beloved, He is ruthless. He deals with them without pity or compassion.
It is a fearful thing to fall into His hands.
I pray that we will never experience the severity and pitiless hand of God.
No man can love like Him.
Sometimes, when you see God’s love being displayed, it almost appears as though He is vulnerable as He continues to pursue an ordinary man who refuses His love. He does everything, yet the man refuses to acknowledge Him.
Now let us briefly look at other expressions of the word translated as love:
1. Eros
This is passionate and romantic love. It comprises physical desire, infatuation, and intense romantic attraction. As soon as the object of attraction is no longer present, the love often flies out of the window. It depends on give and take. There are usually conditions to be fulfilled.
2. Philia
This is deep affectionate friendship. It is neither sexual nor romantic in nature. It is a bond of mutual respect, loyalty, and deep companionship shared between trusted equals. It reminds me of the relationship between David and Jonathan in the Bible.
3. Storge
This is familial love, the natural, protective affection and familiarity that organically develops between family members. It is not sexual or romantic either. However, we see many aberrations today, for which the judgment of God has been promised.
4. Pragma
This is a mature, committed love built on duty, compromise, and shared goals that sustains long-term relationships. Commitment is expected from both parties. Therefore, if one party fails, the so-called love may degenerate.
5. Philautia
This is self-love, the love of oneself without consideration for others. “What is in it for me?” If it is not all about me, then it is not going to work.
Dearly beloved, your knowledge of these different expressions of love will save you from deep disillusionment and heartbreak. You will know what to expect and what is expected of you, enabling you to make informed decisions.
I used to expect unconditional love even from family members and was greatly disappointed. However, now that I understand that Storge can be conditional in practice, I have learned to let go of disappointment arising from family members.
God is calling you today to come and enjoy His unconditional love.
Are you going to refuse His offer again, my friend?