GOD is Love

Scripture: 1 John 4:7-16

Song: God Is Love

Valentine's Day is an American holiday celebrating romantic love. The true and living GOD celebrates romantic love in the Song of Solomon. And yet, romantic love is not "the greatest of these."

Types of Love. The Greeks had a number of words that described the concept of love. Phileo has to do with brotherly love. Storge has to do with loving affection. Eros speaks of erotic love and is never used in Scripture. Agape is the love most often spoken of in GOD'S Book.

Agape. Decribed as "the greatest of these," agape is not an emotion, but rather an act of the will. Agape choses to love, to act in the best interests of others. It is a sacrificial love. Agape is a provider and a protector. Indeed, agape is love of the highest order.

GOD is Agape. We know this love because we know GOD. The great I AM is not loving, mind you. He is love - "for God is love" (1 John 4:8, 16). At the core of His being and nature is agape. He is the source of "the greatest of these" (1 Corinthians 13:13).

If GOD blesses you with a Valentine, give Him the glory. If not, rejoice in His love which is far better. His love is of the highest order.

Jason Cicero