What is Love? What constitutes Love?
What does it mean when you say you love someone or something?
Origins of Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day (February 14th Holiday) is in commemoration of 2 christian martyrs by the name of Valentine. One was the Valentine of Rome and the second was a Valentine of Terni.
The modern Valentine’s Day celebration started it’s big movement in Great Britain back in the 1800s, eventually transforming into what we see today.
What is Love?
There are 4 Greek words for Love:
- agape – (Ancient Greek: ἀγάπη, agápē)
- Unconditional love, The love of God in the renewed mind and manifestation… it’s God’s love.
- phileo – (Ancient Greek: φιλία)
- Is the love between friends.
- storge – (Ancient Greek: στοργή, storgē)
- Is the love for family.
- eros – (Greek: Ἔρως)
- Is the romantic love.
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
– 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV)
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
– Romans 12:9-10 (NIV)
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.
– John 21:15-17 (NIV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
– Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”
– John 14:21 (NIV)
37 Jesus replied:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
– Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
– John 3:16 (NIV)
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. 3 No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. 4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. 5 There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
– Revelation 22:1-5 (NIV)
Things to Remember:
- Passion, intimacy and commitment
- Sign more then just your name in a Valentine’s Card.
- Remember what God did for us. The sacrifice and Love.