I can learn to read, do math, how to behave respectfully, how to cook but can I learn how to love? I can learn how to behave as though I have love, but can I learn to love or teach others to love with God’s type of love? I have been pondering this for quite some time.
The Greek language (original language of the New Testament) has four different words for the single English word love. The Greek word for sexual love (eros) is not taught because it is an instinctive, biological drive imbedded in the body, human or animal. Because of our self-centered default or having experienced some form of abuse, Phileo (Greek for brotherly love) needs to be taught. However, even after being learned, it often comes out looking like a tit for tat exchange, meaning that if the recipient does not do their part the initiator stops showing such love. The mother/parent’s self-giving love (storge) normally comes naturally with the birth or adoption of a child. Therefore, if teaching is involved it is more of a refinement of a natural love. The highest Greek term (agape) for a divine selfless love is found deep within a person and cannot be taught. According to Ezekiel 36:25-27, it comes with the divine gift of spiritual regeneration. Verse 27 reads … I will put my Spirit within you and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules (ESV). The key operative words are my Spirit, cause, walk in and be careful to obey. Paul says the fruit of the Spirit is love, not of education (Galatians 5:22). The temptation will be to try to manufacture on your own what only God can give of Himself. On the human level a person trying to practice this would feel like dutifully loving a spouse while lacking love from the heart that brings a deeper joy.
I have noted many having prayed an acceptance of Christ and go on to become knowledgeable about the Bible and Christian behavior yet never having experienced an authentic love for Him. This lack is exposed when they dismiss Jesus’ call to be His apprentice and instead chase after a self-gratifying, fun-loving lifestyle. This mistake might be compared with confusing an expectant mother’s false labor pains with the real birth of her baby. Such a person was perhaps being drawn or motivated by a form of peer pressure to come to Christ but lacked the deep humility that gives birth to authentic submission to a Holy God’s authority over them.
In that light, what sort of love do you practice for Christ and others? If the divine gift of love you once experienced has become smothered with the cares of life or confused with other things, I urge you to take time to clear away the rubble and nurture the flicker of divine love that you DO have. On the other hand, if you have never experienced a transforming passion for Him, you still have an unbelievable, life-giving experience awaiting you. It will affect how you see and love others as well. I urge you to take advantage of the deep intuitive drawing to know God in an intimate way. You do so by continually surrendering your insistence to make things happen with your own ingenuity. The benefits of having a deep sense of well-being, a conviction, confidence, and an inner peace are much more profound than anything else life on this earth can offer. Although you will continually be tempted to respond as you did in your pre-transformed life, there will also be an extra empowerment to do what your new heart desires to do. Following that internal desire will leave you with a richer satisfaction and pleasure of knowing who you are and why you are on this planet earth as well as knowing the joy of loving others as Christ loves you. Yes, you will be different from those having never experienced a genuine spiritual regeneration since your identity will now be found in the tribe of your Creator. You will have no regrets for having chosen to pursue His love.
Thought provoking …..great word. Thank you for your teaching.