This Command....

Good Morning!!!

John 13:34 (English Standard Version)
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Every once in a while I like to remind folks what the last word in each Good Morning means. The Greek word “agape” means love.

You know, the English language just has trouble in defining the word love. But the Greek uses different words that mean love so that we can understand what is being said. For example, sometimes we say we love something that is an object – like “I love my Beemer” – an automobile. The Greek would use the word “storge” to describe the love of an object.

We could say we love someone as a friend – the Greek would use the word “phileo” to describe the love of a friend. (Think “Philadelphia”).

We could say we love our spouse meaning we have sex with them – the Greek is “eros” – think erotic.

Or, we can say we just love someone without any expectation of love in return – agape’ is the Greek word. And that is the kind of love Jesus expects us to have for each other. That is the Greek word used in this verse – love each other without having the expectation of love in return – but just because Jesus expects us to love. And guess what, love comes in return.

I admit that I struggle with loving people without expecting love in return. But God is faithful (as always) and helps me. We serve a great God who loves us unconditionally – and asks that we do the same for each other. So…

Agape’

Mr. Jim