It’s February, a month where we celebrate love. But love is a much more meaningful word than how we see it portrayed in books or on our TVs. It is such a powerful word, in fact, that in Biblical Greek, the language of the New Testament, there were three different words used to describe love. Each word has its own layers of meaning, bringing out the depth of this life-changing emotion.
There is eros, romantic love. There is philos, the love and respect you have for a close friend. But the ultimate love is agape. Agape love is the unconditional, all-encompassing love that God has for us. This love knows no equal. Romans 8:39 reads, “No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NLT). Let the truth of this statement sink in for a moment. There is no place you have ever been or will ever go that is out of reach for God’s love.
Through this agape love, you have freedom—the freedom to live unrestricted by the things that have held you back. You can live out God’s calling in your life full speed ahead. Mistakes will happen along the way, as we’re only human, but God’s love will set us straight again. You can rest assured that God’s loving presence will follow you wherever you go.
This love that God so freely pours into our lives serves as our inspiration for everything we do. God calls us to share His love with others through word and deed. Living out our lives in this way creates an endless cycle of love in our lives, all rooted in God. Take this Valentine’s Day season as an opportunity to reflect on God’s unconditional love for you, and let it motivate you to love everyone in His name.
