Posts Tagged ‘1 Corinthians 13’
Lent 2012: Day 32—Reflection
March 24, 2012 | 
Author [24MAR2012] Lent 2012: Day 32—Reflection and Meditation
“We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield. In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.“
♦ Psalms 33
♦ Exodus 2:23—3:15
Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.
Thoughts on love and more:
Fruit for God is directly proportional to agape love and agape love is only possible to live if we die to self and become reborn in Him (Christ Jesus). The evidence of that rebirth is manifest visibly with inward and outward acts of love (see the Letter of James). Jesus exhorted us to examine the fruit born from the trees in His garden…we are they. What fruit do I bear? Does He know me? The consequence and repercussion of a “loveless” (agape) life is separation from Him. We are not His if we do not love as He loves. We have no excuses. We cannot claim human frailness; it will not fly as a possibility. God proclaims His power is more than enough to overcome any challenge that stands in our way in His mission. The only destroyer of our hope is us…the sin of self is our saboteur.
Want more? Read about it here …
Posted in Becoming the Word, Lent, Lent 2012, Liturgical Year, Love Series, Shaping Me, Spiritual Formation, The Liturgical Year | 
Tags: 1 Corinthians 13, Jesus, Lent, Lent 2012, Love, The Liturgical Year | 
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Study in Love (pt 5)
During the time I am away, I will reposting older entries from the icrucified blog. The following post was an entry from July 24, 2008
In recent posts we have discussed the command to “love” as Jesus loved; this defined love is “agape love.” I think a distinction has been made between this “agape-style” love which is commanded by Jesus and the alternative love “phileo-love” which is the best form of love humanity can give sans the power of God, the “Christ-in-you” life. With the established definition and the distinction made between the two primary loves mentioned in the New Testament writings, we asked the question whether or not it was possible to live in the capacity and exhibition of “agape-style” love. Scripture teaching from the words of Jesus (in the gospels) and subsequent teaching from the apostolic letters seems to not only affirm the possibility, but assumes the follower of Jesus will transcend the boundaries of phileo love and begin to love with God-love…agape love. In our last post we noted some of the challenges that are faced and the obstacles (self) that block the way of agape love; today we will examine what scripture teaches regarding “believers” who fail to love agape-style, so we ask; “Are there repercussions and consequences for failing to love agape-style?
As we start to answer our question, let us begin with a premise. I don’t think this premise is taken out of context, nor do I think it is an extrapolation “reaching for something” that is not there. We need to go back to a commandment from Jesus in the Gospel of John; “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35) Four mentions of love; each mention is agape-style love. I think there are some inferences connected to someone professing to be a disciple (follower) of Jesus. Inference number one is fellowship. I don’t think discipleship happens in a void; there must be a certain amount and degree of fellowship between the “disciple-er” and “disciple-ee.” To remain a disciple, there is also the inference of obedience. I do not believe there could be continued relationship between disciple and “disciple-er” if there existed continued rebellion and disobedience. The very act of disobedience is an oxymoron in context with this style of relationship. Why are these clarifications and premises relevant?
If we fail to live and love AGAPE-style, yet claim to be a disciple of Jesus…we live a lie and exist in a realm of spiritual darkness. Truth does not exist in us, and regardless of what we want to believe, we do not truly know GOD; at least not the Triune God. Let us examine the letter from John (1 John).
“So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.” (1 John 1:6-7)
And…
“If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment– to love (agape) one another– is the same message you heard before.” (1 John 2:4-7)
These are very strong words directed toward the person still living in the clutches of “self” and making excuses for themselves to not live in the love of Jesus Christ. I believe this “self” is the single greatest challenge to “walking in the light” of Christ. As long as we “look out for number one,” we will fail to follow THE ONE. Our interests and what “seems right” to us are also condemned by John here:
“Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.” (1 John 2:15-16)
Jesus was the author of John’s thinking; we can recall His words here:
“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:25-26)
I read these verses of scripture and fail to find an alternative interpretation other than literal…I believe they are meant to speak to us exactly what has been written; regardless of the translation and/or cultural factors involved. The only way around the bluntness of these words is to claim they really do not mean what they say. From my reading perch, I am unable to justify that latter interpretation. I believe the verses really mean what they say; so where does that leave us? I believe the solution is salvation. I do not believe that we can be saved unless we are born again; “I tell you the truth; no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again” (Jesus – John 3:3). Unless we are “born again” we cannot know Jesus…we might know of him, but we do not know Him. It may seem as though I have embarked on a rabbit-chasing tangent; I assure you I have not. Our discussion involves our ability or inability to love as Christ loves. Our failure to love as Christ loves is directly related to failure to truly know Him. I realize how judgmental my words sound, but again…I’m drawing on scripture to help me make sense of discontinuity I see in the arena of the church today. We claim being filled with His Holy Spirit, we claim to know Jesus, we claim to “love” our brothers and sisters in Christ’s love, but the evidence does not support our claim. Jesus said, “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.” Consequently, we must take into consideration the works in the wake of our faith. Let us make a quick count of some issues currently besieging the church:
- Stress related physical ailments (depression, obesity, eating disorders)
- Moral relativism
- Broken marriages (moral failures / infidelity)
- Denominational bickering and church splits
- Drug, alcohol, and chemical dependencies
- Financial ruin (massive consumer debt)
- Gossip, slander, rumor-mongering
- Improper sleep/rest habits
“…A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit.” What kind of tree produces the fruit in the above list? Understand that I am not referring to people who are awakening to the call of our Lord from their existing problems. I realize that we are all “in progress” at some stage or another in our journey. I am speaking directly with regard to those of us who have extended time along the path of our faith journey. The implication or inference is that we are not connected to the vine, and therefore incapable of producing fruit.
“No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:4-5)
Jesus, speaking these words, forces self-examination and the question; “am I (are we) connected in Him?” The “bad fruit” we bear (generally speaking) cannot come from a “good tree.” I think (if we are honest with ourselves) visible evidence supports the conclusion that many of us who profess Christian faith are really not connected to Him at all. I realize that sounds incredibly harsh, but it is not meant that way at all. Perhaps the scope of my observation is too narrow and I may not be portraying an accurate picture at all, but I really do not think that to be the case although I will concede the possibility.
I mentioned the purpose of this post was to explore the repercussions and consequences of the life apart from Agape Love. I know my thinking may have veered a little from time to time as I worked toward making a point. My motivation is concern for the body that calls themselves the “church.” Maybe my interpretation of scripture is bent toward the conservative camp, but even allowing a healthy dose of generosity in the translation of Jesus’ words I have to ask what exactly did Jesus mean when he said the way is narrow and few find it (Matthew 7:13-14). How many are few? How narrow is the gate or way? Why did Jesus make this point? Let’s say we disqualify this statement entirely from this particular narrative account. We still have another harsh statement to deal with that follows it. Jesus begins talking about good trees and bad trees again along with the “fruit” they bear. His discourse culminates with these words:
“So every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter. On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’” (Matthew 7:19-23)
What will turn this scenario around? How can we avert this??? We must die to self, destroying the propensity to live phileo love. Be reborn and imbued with the empowerment and capacity live in agape love. The rebirth connects us to the Vine and life-giving-agape of Jesus. See here:
“I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat is planted in the soil and dies, it remains alone. But its death will produce many new kernels– a plentiful harvest of new lives. Those who love their life in this world will lose it. Those who care nothing for their life in this world will keep it for eternity. Anyone who wants to be my disciple must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.” (John 12:24-26)
Recommended meditations:
- John 15
- 1 John 3
What is my summary for this post and meditation? Fruit for God is directly proportional to agape love and agape love is only possible to live if we die to self and become reborn in Him (Christ Jesus). The evidence of that rebirth is manifest visibly with inward and outward acts of love (see the Letter of James). Jesus exhorted us to examine the fruit born from the trees in His garden…we are they. What fruit do I bear? Does He know me? The consequence and repercussion of a “loveless” (agape) life is separation from Him. We are not His if we do not love as He loves. We have no excuses. We cannot claim human frailness; it will not fly as a possibility. God proclaims His power is more than enough to overcome any challenge that stands in our way in His mission. The only destroyer of our hope is us…the sin of self is our saboteur.
Next: We love (agape) because Christ is IN us…We do not love (agape) because He is NOT in us.
Study in Love (pt 4)
During the time I am away, I will reposting older entries from the icrucified blog. The following post was an entry from July 22, 2008
The last post ended with a summary statement (my position) in agreement that followers of Jesus are commanded to love with agape love. I have also concluded that despite physical evidence in the contrary, if we are “filled” with God’s Holy Spirit, there is empowerment and provision to live out to the fullest a life evidenced with agape love.
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” And then… “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (1 Peter 1:3-4) Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in iCrucified, Love Series, Random Thoughts | Tags: 1 Corinthians 13, AGAPE, Love | No Comments »
Study in Love (pt 3)
During the time I am away, I will reposting older entries from the icrucified blog. The following post was an entry from July 21, 2008
We completed our last post with a working definition for “love” agape-style, a wild-eyed-nostrils-flared-ears-pinned-to-the-side-of-your-head-all-out-sprint-with-no-holds-barred kind of love. This is the kind of love our God, our Jesus, has called us to. Once more, let’s examine at a glance what this love looks like in a practical sense.
| Love is…
Patient Kind Rejoices with Truth Always Protects Always Trusts Always Hopeful Always Perseveres Never Fails |
Love is not or does not…
Envy Boastful Proud Rude Self-seeking Easily Angered Keep Wrong-doings Delight in Evil |
Now, with a rough sketch to work from, let us begin to examine external and internal evidence of this love. We’ll begin asking the first question of ourselves. Is THIS LOVE (see above descriptions) evidenced and realized in my life? More specifically, is this type of love attainable? I mean, really…can we do it? There are well-intentioned, Jesus-believing, Christian professing “saints” that say “no;” on this side of heaven, we are unable to love in or with this capacity. Some “saints” might be generous enough in their belief to say that it is possible to embrace and embody this love, but highly improbable that anyone actually will. I contend that both of these responses are rationalizations and do not support what the Bible (OT, NT, Jesus, and apostolic teaching) purports. We ARE supposed to love in (and with) this capacity, but enough with conjecture…we need scriptural evidence.
I don’t intend for this “evidence” to be exhaustive, but I do believe it will support my “are supposed to love” assertion. Should any reader of this post have debate with my claim, I welcome any evidence or contrary opinion to this discussion; however for this case, I am keeping my supporting text to a minimum. Moving on…
We are supposed to love “Agape Style.” Jesus said so:
34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
Lest we think this command is relegated to only those “brothers & sisters” in the faith…Jesus extends the “Agape Style” love outside of the circle:
44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Matthew 5:44-46
So there is no misunderstanding toward the directness of Jesus’ command, He makes it absolutely clear in this directive:
9 “Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. 10 “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. 11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. 12 “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. 17 “This I command you, that you love one another. John 15:9-12, 17
All of the above uses of the word “love” are agapao or agape which is defined within the context of our “practical” (or “what it looks like”) definition we have outlined in this, and the last, post. Try as I might, I am unable to consider the possibility that Jesus expects our love to be other than “perfect love,” agape-style love… I do believe and agree that it is a difficult way of love…near impossible; especially so if embarked upon under the power of self (more on this later). On the other end of our argument of “near impossibility” is Jesus’ qualification for His commandment to love agape-style.
4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing. John 15:4-5
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: 23 I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. 26 I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” John 17:20-23, 26
…The Spirit of Jesus in us, the believer. The Spirit of God, the Father, in us…the believer, so that “the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them.” (John 17:26) We are (as His followers) supposed to love with this complete and perfect love…agape love…God love; “the love you (God the Father) have for me (Jesus the Son of God) may be in them (us, believers, disciples of Jesus) and that I myself may be in them.”
Why do we fail at this style of love? Why is it that we continue to rationalize, excuse, and/or justify our reasons for failure in loving as Jesus loved…as Jesus commands us to love? I don’t know the answer for everyone, but I believe some iteration of my position could be applied to most everyone. I believe that our failure to love agape-style begins with the perpetuation of self (remember our working definition stated, love is not self-seeking or proud). We tell ourselves that “we are imperfect” and that “God, knows my heart.” These are true statements. We are imperfect and God does know our heart. It is for these reasons that He sent Himself to (1) die for our imperfections and cleanse/replace our deceitful hearts (2) fill and renew our very soul with His OWN HOLY SPIRIT. The fact that we are still comfortable to “claim imperfection and limit the power of God’s Holy Spirit in us indicates one of two possibilities (1) our “heart” has not been changed or (2) we do not believe God’s claims and promises are true. The conclusion of our reasoning, “I am in Him and He is in me, yet I am incapable of loving like Him” is an illogical and false statement. If HE is in me, I am capable of and empowered to love as He loves/loved. If I think otherwise, I profess God’s words to be false.
Now, lest I be misunderstood, allow me to add a little perspective. Personally, I do not have this agape-style love mastered (Philippians 3:12-16). I know this love is true and available to me, and therefore, it is the standard to which we should live by and strive for. Holding ourselves accountable to the evidence of agape-style love (Jesus love), “dying daily to self,” and submitting to the power of God’s Spirit in us will move us incrementally closer each day to being the people that God has destined us to be. I have an example and evidence for this claim from the life of Jesus’ friend Peter.
15 So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love (Agapeo) Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love (Phileo) You.” He said to him, “Tend My lambs.” 16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (Agapeo) Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love (Phileo) You.” He said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love (Phileo) Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love (Phileo) Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love (Phileo) You.” Jesus said to him, “Tend My sheep. John 21:15-17
I realize there has been much written and taught with regard to this passage of scripture and it is not my intent to get into the exposition or exegesis of this discourse at this time. Suffice it to say that there is a dialogue between Peter and Jesus that is similar to the dialogue that occurs between us (me) and Jesus. Jesus says, Peter do you Agape Me? Peter answers with our rationale; “Lord, I Phileo You.”
Translation: Lord, I am incapable of loving perfectly. I am imperfect and therefore cannot love you with the standard you set and in the fashion you ask me. I can; however, love you with an imperfect human love. Human love is a love born out of convenience. Human love allows for my failures as well as my best interests (as determined by me). Human love considers the feelings of my “self.”
We must consider where Peter’s heart was (and is) at this time. I think we can surmise that he (Peter) had recently been angered with Jesus, felt betrayed by Jesus, was frustrated by Jesus, and misunderstood Jesus along with a number of other emotions and feelings. When I consider these elements I think; “yeah, phileo love matches up with what Peter was capable of giving to Jesus.” Phileo (human love) makes allowances for the things that Agape (LOVE) is not:
Love is not or does not…
- Envy
- Boastful
- Proud
- Rude
- Self-seeking
- Easily Angered
- Keep Wrong-doings
- Delight in Evil
If you are reading this, I’m reasonably sure you know more of this story and I hope you know (or at least have an idea) where I’m going next. The end of John’s Gospel account of Jesus’ life does not complete the story. The life of the apostles continues with the Book of Acts. The promised baptism with fire of Jesus’ Holy Spirit comes and empowers the apostles for service and filling them with God’s Spirit and Love (Agape). Through the next years and continuing saga of the early church we see the followers of Jesus growing in grace and practice of agape love. Do they get it right every single time? I don’t think so; however, I see them living in submission to one another falling back on agape love rather than leaning into phileo love. I think this is evidenced very clearly in one of the last recorded letters from Peter here:
3 His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. 8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, 11 and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
These are some incredible claims that Peter is making, and I believe if he were given the same questions asked by Jesus earlier, he would answer “of course I AGAPE You, Jesus!” And this, without the least hesitation. Look at the incredible claims Peter makes in vss 3-4. “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” And then… “Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” Absolutely mind-boggling!
Next, Peter goes on to describe the process which follows the promise and empowerment of God’s Love (Agape). This next piece is important; agape love doesn’t just happen. We are willing (or not willing) partners with God in the process. I know there are people that would disagree with this doctrinally, but for the life of me I cannot understand these next directions from Peter in any other way. He writes and directs as follows:
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
These are instructions directed toward us, providing insight on our responsibility for the nurture of the faith, hope, and love that God has given and put into us. If we are reluctant to practice these instructions, the alternative is implied in the last sentence…we will be ineffective and unproductive “followers” of Jesus and limited in our knowledge of Him (check out the thoughts from this post).
So…this post turned out much longer than I originally planned and I’m not really done yet, but I think I’ll continue in the next go around. What is the summary for today? We are supposed to love with God-style (AGAPE) love. We cannot rationalize our own inability to love in this fashion. God has given us all we need to accomplish it. Claiming to be His follower without acknowledging His promises makes Him to be a liar. This, I think, is very dangerous thinking. Consider the words of this exceedingly long post and weigh in with your own thoughts if you want. The discussion is not over. More thoughts are on the way…
Posted in A Deeper Walk, iCrucified, Love Series | Tags: 1 Corinthians 13, AGAPE, Love | No Comments »
Study in Love (pt 2)
During the time I am away, I will reposting older entries from the icrucified blog. The following post was an entry from July 19, 2008
Continuing our series today…
Strong’s # 5368 Phileo (fil -eh’ -o) : used 21 times in NT
Strong’s # 5384 Philos (fee’ -los) : used 27 times in NT
Strong’s #25 Agapao (ag -ap -ah’ -o) : used 110 times in NT
Strong’s #26 Agape (ag -ah’ -pay) : used 106 times in NT
Before I begin, I should state that I am NOT a Greek scholar; nor do I make any claim that my study is absolutely exhaustive. As I pointed out in the first post, I have been disturbed by my personal observations in the circles of people professing affiliation with the ways of Jesus. Our scriptures tell us that “God is love” (1 John 4:16); this “love” is “agape” love. We believe Jesus is God; therefore, Jesus is love. If we are followers of His, shouldn’t we also be love? Ok, simple premise…and I’m getting on a tangent already. My point is that I’m merely working through this process and my numbers, findings, deductions, or whatever else my words might be called may not be conclusive. Check it out for yourself, if you don’t agree with what I’m sharing. Ok…that’s my last disclaimer for this study; moving on now… Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in A Deeper Walk, iCrucified, Love Series | Tags: 1 Corinthians 13, AGAPE, Love | 1 Comment »
A Study in Love (pt 1)
During the time I am away, I will reposting older entries from the icrucified blog. The following post was an entry from July 18, 2008
I have been troubled over the past few weeks over what I read, observe, and have experienced first-hand in the circles of the Christian fellowship. Do we understand or have a grasp of what it means to love from a Christian perspective? Evidence indicates that we do not. Recent statistics from the Barna Group show that 1 in 3 marriages will fail among the ranks of those professing Christian affiliation of some sort. We continue to see divisions, unforgiveness, slander, and gossip among other unhealthy attitudes within the rank and file of Christian fellowships as well. What is the reason for this unhealthy behavior and anti-Christian attitudes toward one another? I believe it has to do with our lack of understanding of what it means to love. I believe that, first, we do not understand the concept of Christian love; and second, we excuse ourselves from being included in applying that love. What are the repercussions of this “loveless” perception? How does it affect and effect our Christian lifestyle? Is there a Christian lifestyle without this love?
Over the coming days (maybe weeks) I plan to explore love as it is defined in our Bible. I want to know what love means and how it is effectively lived out in our day-to-day life. I don’t know if I’ll be posting daily with regard to this topic, but I will update the blog with its own category listing. If you want to follow this study alone, just search for the category heading of “love.”
Let us begin with the words for love that are used in the Greek Language (the purpose for this is so we can understand the meaning from our New Testament teachings in the Bible).
Storge – meaning “affection” in the Modern Greek language; it is natural affection, like that felt by parents for their children. This is rarely used in ancient works.
Thelema – meaning “desire” in the Modern Greek language; most often used in the context of “desire” to “do something.”
Eros – meaning “passionate” love and relating to sensual desire and/or longing.
Phileo - meaning “friendship” in the Modern Greek language; includes loyalty to friends, family, community, and requires familiarity. In the ancient texts, philia denoted a general type of love. This is the only other word for “love” (phileo) used in the ancient text of the New Testament besides agape.
Agape – meaning “love” in the Modern Greek language; agape is used in ancient texts to denote feelings for a good meal, one’s children, and the feelings for a spouse. In biblical literature, its meaning and usage is illustrated by self-sacrificing, giving love to all–both friend and enemy. Christian commentators have expanded the original Greek definition to encompass a total commitment or self-sacrificial love for the thing loved.
In the coming studies I plan to ask a number of questions; some will be in search of knowledge while others will be exploring practical answers seeking application of the knowledge. I hope some of you reading along will join in. My primary role in this study is not the teacher; I am merely publishing the works of the student… “me.”
Posted in A Deeper Walk, iCrucified, Love Series | Tags: 1 Corinthians 13, AGAPE, Love, Study | No Comments »
Living the Jesus Creed = “i”Crucified
40 Days Living the Jesus Creed [Days 31-33]
LtJC – Day 31:
“Love does not insist on its own way…” (1 Corinthians 13:5-6)
Jesus Creed Thoughts for the day…
- “Jesus Creed love is AGAPE Love…”
- “Agape Love denies self…”
My takeaway/parting thoughts: icrucified = crucify self = deny self
Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ…”
“To choose to live a life of loving others is to choose against a life of loving only ourselves.” (Scot McKnight) Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in 40 Days Living the Jesus Creed, Becoming the Word, iCrucified, Love Series, Meditations, Shaping Me, Spiritual Disciplines | Tags: 1 Corinthians 13, 40 Days Living the Jesus Creed, Agape Love, Christianity, Denial of Self, disciple, Galatians, Holy Spirit, iCrucified, Jeff Borden, Jesus, Jesus Creed, Luke, Mark, Scot McKnight, Selfless, Spiritual Formation | No Comments »
I can’t Agape
40 Days Living the Jesus Creed [Day 30]
Give us strength with changed heart, O Lord, to love You with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength…and help us, O Lord, for Your namesake to love our neighbor as ourselves. [Amen]
LtJC – Day 30:
“Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)
Jesus Creed Thoughts for the day…
- “Love isn’t what you feel, it’s what you do…” Madeleine L’Engle
- “We are not happy with our lot in life or we are ticked with God for assigning our lot.” Scot McKnight
My takeaway: The thing about this (these) attributes of AGAPE love is the awareness that it cannot be lived to the full under the fuel of ourself (me). We cannot “will” this kind of attitude and behavior; at least with the expectation of sustaining it for a prolonged 
(forever) period (indefinite) of time. Loving enemies, remaining patient and longsuffering with lazy, immature people, being kind in the face of rude and boastful people…this is how love lives. This is the attitude of Christ…not me. Exactly. Not me. Therefore, the only way to live in sustainable God-Love (AGAPE) is for God to live in me. The only way for God to live in me is to for me to make room for Him. Jesus said; “You must be born again.” The inference of this statement is that I must first die or “deny self” in order for the “room” to be made. Indeed, the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26) is budded, flowered, and matured from the seed of me that falls into the ground (John 12:24-26). I cannot love like God…but God in me can. If I am not loving like Him, is He living in me??? Or am I still living in me, occupying the space that God wishes to make for His room.
“You must be born again…” Jesus (John 3:3-8)
Posted in 40 Days Living the Jesus Creed, Becoming the Word, Daily Meds, iCrucified, Love Series, Meditations, Shaping Me, Spiritual Disciplines | Tags: 1 Corinthians 13, 40 Days Living the Jesus Creed, Agape Love, Carry Your Cross, deny self, disciple, Jesus Creed, John 12:24, Scot McKnight, Spiritual Disciplines, Spiritual Formation | No Comments »
Don’t… “Bang your Gong”
40 Days Living the Jesus Creed [Day 26-27]
“If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” [1 Cor. 13] Give us strength with changed heart, O Lord, to love You with all our heart, all our soul, all our mind, and all our strength…and help us, O Lord, for Your namesake to love our neighbor as ourselves. [Amen]
LtJC – Day 26:
We’re talking LOVE…AGAPE Love… “unflinching love” Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in 40 Days Living the Jesus Creed, Becoming the Word, Daily Meds, Love Series, Meditations, Shaping Me, Spiritual Disciplines | Tags: 1 Corinthians 13, 1 John, 1 Peter, 40 Days Living the Jesus Creed, AGAPE, Agape Love, Bang Gong, iccrucified, Jeff Borden, Jesus Creed, Love, Scot McKnight | No Comments »
Love Never Fails
40 Days Living the Jesus Creed [Days 10-11]
“From the highest of highs to the depths of the sea…”
The last couple of days have been somewhat of a roller coaster for me; extreme highs and desperate lows have punctuated the last 48 hours of my life. I realize how dramatic that sounds, but it honestly sets the stage for where my heart has been and how God the Holy Spirit has been ministering to me…helping me to grow in His knowledge and mature in His image. Some of my experience is still very raw and has not been resolved-reconciled just yet. If you are reading this, I covet your prayers for the continuing illumination that comes only from God.
Briefly, some background story –
Two years ago I went from part-time volunteer ministry (associate pastor) to transitioning to full-time vocational ministry (which I am currently involved in). During this two year period, my family moved to a new state, new church, new friends…etc. We left our old life on faith that God would provide for our needs, and He has…in marvelous ways; however, our house had remained on the market for sale during this entire time. Month after month we saw our financial situation strain at its limits and month after month we saw the Hand of God meet our need, often in surprising and creative ways. While this had tendencies of bringing tension into the household, it also brought with it lessons of trust, favor, and reliance upon God. Yesterday, we sold our house. God provided in His timing. This was certainly a moment of celebration of the highest magnitude. JEHOVAH JIREH!!! There is more to this story and the amazing timing of God, but I’ll share more about that in future posts. Suffice it to say the “rest of the story” helps to shape why this event was such an emotional and spiritual high point…but we need to move on for now. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in 40 Days Living the Jesus Creed, A Deeper Walk, Becoming the Word, iCrucified, Shaping Me | Tags: 1 Corinthians 13, 40 Days Living the Jesus Creed, Agape Love, Christian Living, Christianity, Discipleship, Genesis, God, iCrucified, Jesus Creed, Matthew, Religion, Scot McKnight, Spiritual Formation, Spirituality | No Comments »
