There are three main types of love spoken of in the New Testament. The first one is agape and it is the kind of love that God loves us with. It means love as in affection or benevolence or charity. The second one is Philadelphia, which means brotherly love or kindness. The third type of love is philoteknos and it means fond of one’s children as in a maternal love for their children.

There are 16 things scripture teaches us we are supposed to love:  God, neighbors, strangers, salvation, God’s name, God’s word, wisdom, good, mercy, truth, peace, enemies, one another – saints, brethren, husband, wives, and children.

There are 14 ways we are told how and how much to love: with all the heart, soul, mind and strength; as one loves himself; exceedingly, as Christ loves us; enough to lay down our life for others; without hypocrisy; by the Holy Spirit; in sincerity; by service to one another; forbearing one another; with a pure heart fervently; as brethren, not in words but in deed; and without fear.

There are nine ingredients of divine love

1. Patience – love passive: no hurry; suffers long; bears, believes, hopes, and endures all things.
2. Kindness – love in action: never acts irrationally or insolently; not inconsistent, puffed up, or proud.
3. Generosity – love and competition: not envious or jealous.
4. Humility – love in hiding: no parade; no airs; works then retires.
5. Courtesy – love in society: does not behave unseemly; always polite; at home with all classes; never rude or discourteous.
6. Unselfishness – love in essence: never selfish, sour, or bitter; seeks only good of others; does not retaliate or seek revenge.
7. Good temper – love in disposition: never irritated; never resentful.
8. Righteousness – love in conduct: hates sin; never glad when others go wrong; always gladdened by goodness to others; always slow to expose; always eager to believe the best; always hopeful, always enduring.
9. Sincerity – love in profession: never boastful and conceited; not a hypocrite; always honest; leaves no impression, but what is strictly true; never self-assertive; does not blaze out in passionate anger, nor brood over wrongs; always just, joyful, and truthful; knows how to be silent; full of trust; always present.

 

 There are 8 blessings of love:  a pure heart; a good conscience; a faith unfeigned or sincere; confirmation that we are of the truth; assurance of a clean heart before God; freedom from condemnation; faith and confidence in God; answers to prayers

There are 20 reasons we should love others:

1. To prove that we are of God
2. It proves sonship
3. It is proof of knowing God
4. Because God is love and we should imitate him as children of God
5. God has imparted love to us
6. God sent his Son to make it possible
7. That we might live
8. Because God first loved us
9. We have been loved and forgiven so much
10. It is our duty

• God loved us and we were on global

12. God dwells in us
13. God’s love is perfected in us
14. Because of the indwelling Holy Spirit
15. We believe in love
16. We dwell in God
17. We are like Him
18. It proves we love God
19. It is a command
20. It is natural as sons of God

 

I will leave you with a poem that I wrote early in my Christian walk when I wanted a close walk with the Lord Jesus and I was willing to do whatever it would take to get that.  I hope you will also find the same desire within your heart today also.  There is a little prayer at the end of the poem, if you would like to pray it also, feel free.

You have given to me, What few people find

Answers to questions, In words that have

rhymed

Emotions so strong, There weren’t any words

Words that weren’t spoken, But still could be

heard

Moments we shared, In my quietest hour

Helped me to realize, All Your wonderful

power

The doubts that I had, Were all washed away

When it all fit in place, On that glorious day

I no longer live, In so much fear

‘Cause in my heart, It’s You I hold dear

The love I now feel, So tender and pure

Will be my guide, Through all I endure

You are now the one, I will serve day and

night

My Lord and My Master, My Love and My

Light

Though I may not be perfect, I feel you are

near

Always by my side, Forever you are here

I pray that I may keep, Your Holy Temple

clean

I pray for your guidance, That on You I may

lean

I pray that I may love, With all of my heart

I pray that Your Spirit, Will never, ever

depart

Teresa Marie 1984

Teresa is a poet first of all, and a writer second, and as a side endeavor she also loves to help other people get their books finished and downloaded into e-books.  She has an Associates in Theology from Beacon University.  She also has diplomas in business and office management. She has recently published the book “How To Get Near God’s Heart” which is currently available on Kindle.  She would invite you to subscribe to her blog if these kind of articles are something you may be interested in. Her blog is located at www.telepublishingink.com.  She looks forward to meeting you there.

 

Keywords:  Love, Greek, Hebrew