Do you remember the classic Beatles song “All you need is love” lah, lah la la lah? This was written in 1967 by Lennon and McCartney as a commission for the BBC to be the British contribution to the world’s first global television link up.
One of the last instructions Y’HoWShUA gave us before He ascended into heaven was “Love one another, by this all men will know that you are my disciples”. The Bible talks in depth about love, specially in the New Testament writings of the Apostle John.
However, the word we read as love in the English language is translated from four different Greek words – eros, storge, philio and agape. Knowing the meaning of the Greek words and applying them to the English translation opens up a deeper understanding of what YHWH means when He talks of love.
Eros is sexual love, this word is not recorded in the New Testament Greek manuscripts.
Storge refers to the natural love we have for members of our immediate family.
Philio refers to brotherly love, or the mutual affection and respect we have for people who share similar beliefs and behaviors. In our modern society this would include members of a sports team, workmates, a fan club or political party. In the New Testament example it refers to the relationship between the brethren in the body of Messiah.
Agape is the highest form of love. This can be better understood as benevolence – the concept of giving without any expectation of reward or return. This is the love YHWH had for His creation when Y’HoWShUA accepted the role of the “Lamb of YaH sacrificed from the foundation of the world” long before human being had even been created. The sacrifice of Y’HoWShUA was planned long before any human being had ever turned to worship YHWH. This was giving without any expectation of reward. This is agape love in its truest form.
Agape is the love we are to have for YHWH. It is the love a husband is to have for his family. It is the highest ideal of the service we are to give to the brethren in Messiah. Agape love is the example we are to show to the world so that “all men will know that you are my disciples”.
We exhibit agape love by following the direct instruction Y’HoWShUA gave us, “If you love (agape) me, keep My Commandments”. It is by living the Royal law of liberty – you shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, you shall not covet – without any expectation of physical reward, that we show our love for all of mankind.
Please watch the complete message exploring love because we must us agape YHWH and all of His creation by living the Royal law of liberty and being the light of the world in the coming age of darkness.
If you have any questions about this message or would like to suggest other subjects for future messages, please feel free to contact me.