There are few words in the dictionaries that have such a wide range of definitions and applications as does the word love: passion, ardor, infatuation, crush, flame, yearning, puppy love, idolatry, worship, woo, narcissism, and on and on.

The name of the city Philadelphia is a compound of phileo (friendship love) and adelphos (brother) or brotherly love. David and Jonathan felt this kind of love. In the discourse between Jesus and Peter in John 21:15-17, Jesus used the word agape (Godly love) to distinguish between Christian love and phileo (friendship love). Hollywood and the entertainment industry’s primary message is “eros”; self-gratifying, self-abasing and self-indulgence kind of love. The Bible doesn’t mention “eros”.

The Greek word agape is the primary word which expresses God’s love. The world has no finer no more fulfilling form of love. God’s love, his essence is the purest love and has no limitations. God’s love is benevolent and is freely given without expectation of return. Our response to his love doesn’t diminish it or limit it.

How can one possess such love? You can’t! Only by accepting the conditions set by God… becoming one with the Lord Jesus Christ, through the power of the Holy Spirit, can his love reside in us…in our spirit… where God’s love can do its work.

The world, science, cultures, churches can’t generate this kind of love, yet this love is for the world.

by Gordon Kler