Tag Archives: agape

Your Love

Posted on April 19, 2021 by expressyourself4him

Depending upon the Bible that you read, the word love appears 310 times in the original King James Version. As newer translations have been created, anyone who reads the New International Version, love is mentioned 551 times. If you dig deeper, these passages refer to one of five different types of love. The Hebrew word Ahab and four Greek terms: Agapao, Agape, Phileo, and Eros. Each of these express love from either God’s perspective (unconditional), family oriented (brotherly) or selfish (sensual).

And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight [that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment], Philippians 1:9.

In the passage above, the apostle Paul refers to love in action. One of the ways Christians demonstrate love is by praying for other people. While writing a letter to a specific church with fond memories, Paul directs his prayer toward their love. Paul’s prayer focuses on a two fold display of love. First, to develop a greater depth of acquaintance, perhaps seeing other people as God sees and loves them. Finally, to deepen one’s comprehension and discernment of God’s unconditional love.

So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble], Philippians 1:10.

As Paul’s letter to Philippi continues, Paul shares his goal for the spiritual growth of these believers. Instead of rambling on and on in prayer, Paul’s mind is laser focused. These expectations set a high bar to follow, but how your love is lived out can change a family, neighborhood or place of work. Following the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, many apostles lived each day as if Jesus was going to return before nightfall. This mindset began to fulfill the Great Commission, Mark 16:15 and transformed the way Christian’s love.

by Jay Mankus

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Keep On Loving

Posted on April 16, 2016 by expressyourself4him

One of my favorite bands growing up was REO Speedwagon.  Their first hit song, Keep on Loving You debuted in 1980 on the Hi Infidelity album.  My sisters friend played this song over and over on a stereo, blaring it throughout the house.  According to the Greek language, there are 3 specific types of love.  REO Speedwagon was singing about eros, a sensual and sexually kind of love.

Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters, Hebrews 13:1.

The author of Hebrews refers to Philia, loving a family member.  While the city of Philadelphia means city of brotherly love, those who visit, especially sports fans from rival cities may not feel this love.  However, love usually doesn’t come naturally.  Most people have to work at, praying for a loving heart or seeking counseling to determine what’s preventing them from embracing others.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends, John 15:13.

The final type of love is agape, a love without conditions.  An illustration Jesus shares is laying down a life for a friend.  This foreshadows Jesus’ death on a cross not just for his disciples, but for the living, dead and those yet to be born.  Although imperfections keep individuals from displaying love daily, the goal and prayer for everyone should be to keep on loving.

by Jay Mankus

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Obscuring the Truth

Posted on September 30, 2013 by expressyourself4him

 

In 1987, Def Leppard ‘s album Hysteria introduced the dark side to falling in love.  The lyrics of Love Bites examines the emotional side of love as described in the final 2 stanzas below.  While several songs in the past have written about God’s agape or brotherly love, Def Leppard touches on the scars, wounds to the soul inflicted by intimate relationships that fall apart when feelings fade.

Love bites love bleeds – it’s bringin’ me to my knees
Love lives, love dies
Love bites love bleeds – it’s bringin’ me to my knees
Love lives love dies – it’s no surprise
Love begs love pleads – it’s what I need

If you’ve got love in your sights
Watch out, love bites

Modern commercials, sitcoms and television programming are some of the biggest offenders of obscuring truth.  The images portrayed on the screens inside of American homes glorify temptation while minimizing any after affects.  This hyperreality conceals the reality that actions and words do have consequences.  Thus, when an individual carries out a similar act or behavior in life, the words of Def Leppard often rings true, “love bites!”

 

When Jesus receives the news that one of his close friends is dead, he wept, John 11:32-35.  This wasn’t a movie scene; these were genuine tears brought on the pain one feels expressed by Def Leppard’s song.  As soon as a human being opens their heart, becoming connected to another soul, their are taking at risk at love.  Although happy endings do occur on occasion, don’t be afraid to take a chance, especially on the One who sacrificed His only son for you and for me, John 3:16-17.

by Jay Mankus

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Phil-a-delphia

Posted on June 17, 2013 by expressyourself4him

This city’s name is derived from one of 3 Greek names for love.  Agape refers to God’s unconditional love illustrated by a father in the parable of the prodigal son, Luke 15:11-32.  Meanwhile, eros is symbolic of a sensual love, similar to King David’s feelings for Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11.  However, phila means to love someone like a brother or sister.  Thus, the nickname of Philadelphia is the city of brotherly love.

For the past 4 days, the sports fans of Philadelphia has demonstrated this love for the game of golf and their historic gem, Merion Golf Club.  While not everyone has been pleasant with a few heckling Sergio Garcia, a majority of the 25,000 in attendance daily are redefining the image of this great city.  As the 113th United States Open Golf Championship concludes today on Father’s Day, the only question remaining is will Phil be fulfilled today by winning his first Open title.

In recent years, Phil Mickelson has been ridiculed by the press for his aggressive play in this tournament,  Five times a runner up, maybe fate waited until he reached Phil-a-delphia before winning this event which has slipped out of his hands too many heartaches to recount.  Unfortunately, like the 2004 Superbowl, with the Philadelphia Eagles up at the half, Phil faded today, playing the final 8 holes 3 over par.  Wounded again, Phil will likely recover like Rocky and Philly sports fans, holding out hope to one day be a world champion!  Until the next major, kept your head up Phil, for the city of brotherly love is behind you!

by Jay Mankus

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The Land of Lost Love

Posted on January 27, 2013 by expressyourself4him

Pink Floyd once sang about what I feel in my heart today in their song Comfortably Numb.  The 4th stanza’s lyrics express the following: “There is no pain you are receding; A distant ship’s smoke on the horizon; You are only coming through in waves; Your lips move, But I can’t hear what you’re saying.”  My issue is not with words.  Rather, my concern is with a lack of action.  After reading Proverbs 17 this morning, I am left to question, where has all the love gone in America?

According to verse 9, anyone who covers over an offense promotes love.  Unfortunately, what I watch on television or experience in life is another story.  Reality Television series ratings seem to skyrocket when cursing, drama and fights are portrayed.  While a friend is suppose to love at all times, Proverbs 17:17, back stabbing, gossip and trash talking appear to sell, making Hollywood millions of dollars each year.  Meanwhile, family value shows are becoming extinct or cast off like Marshall, Will and Holly into the Land of the Lost.

The only kind of love I regularly see is eros, the Greek word for sensual or sexual love.  Every time I go to buy groceries, magazines surround the checkout counter, filling your mind with unwholesome thoughts if you’re not careful.  Philia, the Greek word for brotherly love pops its head up from time to time.  People like Tim Tebow, Bethany Hamilton and communities like Ocean City, New Jersey keep this kind of love alive.  However, agape, translated unconditional love is even vanishing from churches.  Grudges, power hungry individuals and unforgiveness is stripping Christianity from its main attraction.

Instead of living in a land of love, crushed spirits continue to reign, Proverbs 17:22.  In the absence of a cheerful heart, the medicine people seek is missing, awol, absent without love.  If there ever was a time for the fulfillment of Ezekiel 22:30, the time is now.  Who will stand in the gap of a unloving world and love the unlovable?  If someone doesn’t act quickly, we might all become comfortably numb.  Developing a Philippians 4:8-9 mindset is a good place to start.  The rest depends on how well people live out the Bible.  Choose agape love today!

by Jay Mankus

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