THE  LENGTH  AND  LIMITS  OF  LOVE
Part II

In our last issue of the Trumpeter, November/December 2007, I asked you to keep that copy for reference so you will have a more detailed explanation of the Greek words. I also pointed out that Love, like Hate, are motives for action. Without the action, they are vain. [As faith without works is dead]. 

We are going to begin this issue with clarification about the definition of our two words for Love in the New Testament. Today, (December 7, 2007, Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day = God save our Country), as I got to my office I wanted to see what would be the definition of "Bible Love" at the first online site I found. So I went to Google and typed in "Bible Love Defined".

The very first entry was {http://www.godandscience.org/love/biblicallove.html }. I want to quote from this site to show you how easy it is to be confused about "Bible Love". In the first two paragraphs, Rich Deem does a good job hitting the nail on the head in one area by showing how often other emotions are called "Love", when they are totally "not love". Love suffers "Identity Theft" i.e. it is used in place of  other motives and actions, such as lust, like, desire, fornication, adultery, etc. You get the picture.

But in the third paragraph he does what most Christians do, he defines AGAPE as "God's kind of love", and therefore outside the possible realm of the unbeliever, and PHILE as a soulish love, a sort of "Man's kind of love".  I quote Mr. Deem with my emphasis bold and underlined:
BEGIN QUOTE FROM MR. DEEM

"The Greek language (the language of the New Testament) uses two different words to describe and define love. The most commonly used Greek word translated 'love' in the New Testament is 'AGAPE'. This love is represented by God's love for us. It is a non-partial, sacrificial love probably best exemplified by God's provision for our rebellion:

For God so loved (AGAPE) the world, that He gave His only begotten Son,
                          that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

The gift of God's son as a provision for sin was given to all humans, regardless of who we are. God's love is unconditional.

In contrast, our love is usually conditional and based upon how other people behave toward us. This kind of love is based upon familiarity and direct interaction. The Greek word "PHILEO" defines this kind of love, often translated "brotherly love. ' PHILEO'  is a soulish (connected through our emotions) kind of love - something that can be experienced by both believers and non-believers. This is in contrast to AGAPE, which is love extended through the spirit. AGAPE love requires a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, since the non-regenerated soul is unable to love unconditionally. AGAPE love gives and sacrifices expecting nothing back in return."

END QUOTE FROM MR. DEEM

Now this is exactly what is the general conception, and it is what most preachers teach. This is where our definitions become important. We cannot accept such teaching based upon these definitions. We must find proper definitions that will explain the two words consistent with their Biblical usage. Folklore explanations will not do! They lead to confusion at best and to heresy at worst.

A few points may help to clarify
1. Contrary to Mr. Deems understanding, heathen sinners love one another with AGAPE love just as much as Christians do! In Luke 6:32, our Lord compares His Disciples (cf. Verse 20) with heathen sinners; For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.
[The Greek word for love all four times in this verse is AGAPAO, the verb form of the noun AGAPE]. If a heathen woman has a child in danger, her love for that child will be no different than the love of a Christian mother, and requires no relationship with God to be valid love. The motive will be the same, but from different sources. The Christian has God, while the heathen is without God and without hope in the world. This principle is very important in defining Bible love.

2. Contrary to Mr. Deems understanding, PHILE Love is just as much God's love as is AGAPE. This is very easy to prove since God clearly loves Jesus with AGAPE love in John 3:35 and with PHILE love in John  5:20. End of controversy!

3. We must Love Jesus with both AGAPE and PHILE Love. Two portions of Scripture establish this. John 14:21-25 says He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. The Greek word for love all 7 times in these verses is AGAPE.

But I Corinthians 16:22 says If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. Or as the New King James has it  If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come! This verse is extremely important because it curses everyone who does not love the Lord Jesus Christ with PHILE love!! ANATHAMA = A Curse and MARANATHA = A petition for the Lord to come, especially in judgment. A Chaldean word.

4. Humans Love and know God by believing in and Loving Jesus. John 1:18 and 14:6

5. The Love of God in Christ can be rebuffed, resulting in eternal loss. See Mark 10:21
"Then Jesus beholding him loved him" Jesus looks at this young man, and LOVES him with AGAPE love, all to no avail because of a refusal to obey.

6. "Genuine" love never fails I Corinthians 13:8. But if I Love my family and desire to see them saved, but they do not come to Christ, Love did not fail, but the love motive is unfulfilled. Look at Romans 9:2-3
where Paul says: I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart. For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Notice Paul has "Sorrow" and "Heaviness", and does not use the current lie spoken by Televangelists every day, "Jesus loves you and so do I"

As I have said before, love is a Motive, and requires Action for its fulfillment. Where Salvation is concerned, it is necessary also to have the POWER for that fulfillment. This is where another important study is required, namely the difference between the POWER to do something and the AUTHORITY to do it. Simply because we love someone does not mean we have the power or authority to entitle them to Eternal Life. Eternal salvation is by faith in the finished work of Christ.

Take the time today to  "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith" II Corinthians 13:5. Ask yourself whether you are loving the Lord with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself, the two great commandments that are recorded in all three synoptic Gospels;

Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

Mark 12:30  And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.

Luke 10:27  And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

In the next issue of the Trumpeter I will take up the threefold dialog between Jesus and Peter in John 21:15-17. And in the March - April edition, Lord willing, we will survey "LOVE" in the Apostle John's first Epistle.

E-mail Questions or Comments about this article may be addressed to haydenk@svbc.org