Today is Valentine’s Day and for many it will be a day of cards, candy, flowers and romance. The theme of the day is love, but what exactly is love. Love can take on many meanings, depending on how it is expressed.
Did you know that there are actually three words in the Greek language that translate into our English word “love?” Each of these words conveys a different meaning, level of affection and level of commitment.
The Greek word “phileo” is where we get the word “Philadelphia” from. This word describes a brotherly love. This would be the kind of love two friends have for each other.
The Greek word “eros” is where we get the word “erotic” from. This word describes a sexual love. This tends to be the definition of love that we are bombarded with in our culture.
The final Greek word is “agape” and it describes sacrificial love. In the Greek texts of the Bible the word agape is used to describe God’s love for us.
True love is all about sacrifice. Love doesn’t look inwardly, but instead places greater value on the life of another. Look at what the Bible has to say about love:
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NLT)
[4] Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud [5] or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. [6] It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. [7] Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
John 15:12-13 (NLT)
I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. [13] And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.
Today is a day in which tokens of our love are given, but I encourage you to think of every day as Valentine’s Day. Every day is an opportunity to put the needs of someone else before your own needs and desires. Every day is a day to show kindness, patience, mercy and grace.
Consider today some ways that you can lay down your life for the benefit of someone else. Here are some ideas:
Let someone else have that parking space
Carry someone’s groceries
Have a friend over for dinner
Visit someone in nursing home
Visit someone in the hospital
Until next Monday, may God’s richest blessings be yours this week.
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