What Kind Of Love Do We Give?

We use the word “love” for everything from chocolate—to God. The Bible utilizes four different words for “love.” 

1. “Storge,” for love of family; 

2. “Eros,” for sensual love; 

3. “Philia,” for close friendships; and 

4. “Agape,” for God’s love. 

Most of us experience giving and receiving of the first three, however, KNOWING GOD—provides us with the opportunity to give and receive agape love—which far surpasses any love we’ve ever known! When we enter into the experience of God’s love, it’s like no other. Knowing God is the key! 

After we’ve experienced being completely loved by God, the hollow allure of the “love” offered by this world—from television, movies, books, radio, social media—is far less captivating. The three lower forms of love—friendship, family, and sexual love are promoted by our enemies—as the ULTIMATE love. 

Believe me, this is no coincidence!

The evil storyteller wants our story to NEVER include the experience of God’s enduring love.  But, God didn’t create us to be a masterpiece without also creating a glorious story! In fact, Jesus gave us a command that gives us great hope! He said:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-35

Jesus commanded us to ENTER into HIS love by GIVING it to others! He would not command us to do something we are incapable of doing, right? It seems impossible that we can love like God does—and, no doubt, it IS IMPOSSIBLE—without His presence!

GOD’s love doesn’t happen—without GOD.

Agape is supreme love. It is the love willing to die for the most unworthy enemy. (John 3:16) This is the love God describes as His own. If we don’t learn to “agape” others, God says, we don’t really know HIM!

“Anyone who does not love (agape) does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8)

Without God’s Spirit, we are hopeless to love like Him; however, through His Spirit, we become a conduit of HIS agape love.

“God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.”

Romans 5:5

Divine love springs from our heart when it is wrapped in Divine love. 

C.S. Lewis wrote:

“Give me yourself and in exchange I will give you Myself. My will, shall become your will. My heart, shall become your heart.” (Mere Christianity)

After we are born again, we must continually be surrendering every part of our life to God. Who else is more worthy of our full surrender—our friends, family, or anyone MORE influenced by the world’s culture than by God? Who else LOVES us like He does? Who else is omnipotent and omniscient as He is? My friend, if we want to love like God does, we must surrender 100% of ALL we are and ALL we have—to Him. Surrender to God allows us to experience His agape love, and when we have it—we can’t keep it to ourselves. 

The experience of God’s love allows us to love others in wild and wonderful abandon!

We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.

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