1 Corinthians 13:4-8 explains to us what it truly means to show love to one another. There are 4 types of love that we see in the Bible
Agape- brotherly love, charity; the love of God for man and of man for God.
Eros- love of sexually passion. the modern greek word used is erotas meaning intimate love.
Philia- an affectionate regard, friendship
Storge- love, affection, usually used between family
The love that is used in this particular scripture is agape. This word has also been identified as unconditional love. This love means you will love no matter what happens in that relationship or no matter what the circumstances. We don't have to love every thing that person does, but we must still love the person.
At this point you may be thinking, How do I do that? Does that mean I have to love the gays, the murders, the child molesters, the drug dealers and the homeless?
ABSOLUTELY!!!
These are the individuals that need to be shown love the most. We win people to Christ through being like Christ, not ridiculing and putting these people down. We win them by showing love in the true aspect Christ tells us to love and by being a light in the world around them that is constantly dark.
How do we show that love? God gives us that answer in this scripture. The first thing he tells us is to be patient. The Greek word used for patient is makrothymia, according to the Strong's Concordance this word means patient, forbearance, long-suffering. In James God tells us of the that we will go through various temptations, this includes the temptation to be short-tempered, but we know that this is not what God wants from us. He wants to see us hold our tongue and be patient that is what long-suffering is.
We also must be patient in non-believers coming to Christ as well as patient in our brothers and sisters who are struggling that we may get frustrated with. If we look at the many trials, temptations and test that we go through we all must be patient on waiting on God to bring us through it as well as patient with those around us.
How do we actually show patience with those around us? By holding our tongue when we are attacked and not reacting immediately. By giving God time to work the situation and know that he already sees that future. We know that God will protect us through whatever trial, temptation or test. We must stand strong in our faith that God will bring us through them.
Agape- brotherly love, charity; the love of God for man and of man for God.
Eros- love of sexually passion. the modern greek word used is erotas meaning intimate love.
Philia- an affectionate regard, friendship
Storge- love, affection, usually used between family
The love that is used in this particular scripture is agape. This word has also been identified as unconditional love. This love means you will love no matter what happens in that relationship or no matter what the circumstances. We don't have to love every thing that person does, but we must still love the person.
At this point you may be thinking, How do I do that? Does that mean I have to love the gays, the murders, the child molesters, the drug dealers and the homeless?
ABSOLUTELY!!!
These are the individuals that need to be shown love the most. We win people to Christ through being like Christ, not ridiculing and putting these people down. We win them by showing love in the true aspect Christ tells us to love and by being a light in the world around them that is constantly dark.
How do we show that love? God gives us that answer in this scripture. The first thing he tells us is to be patient. The Greek word used for patient is makrothymia, according to the Strong's Concordance this word means patient, forbearance, long-suffering. In James God tells us of the that we will go through various temptations, this includes the temptation to be short-tempered, but we know that this is not what God wants from us. He wants to see us hold our tongue and be patient that is what long-suffering is.
We also must be patient in non-believers coming to Christ as well as patient in our brothers and sisters who are struggling that we may get frustrated with. If we look at the many trials, temptations and test that we go through we all must be patient on waiting on God to bring us through it as well as patient with those around us.
How do we actually show patience with those around us? By holding our tongue when we are attacked and not reacting immediately. By giving God time to work the situation and know that he already sees that future. We know that God will protect us through whatever trial, temptation or test. We must stand strong in our faith that God will bring us through them.