What Love is This?

Our New Testament uses the English word "love" about 214 times. "Agapao" (G25) is used about 187 times and refers to having actual concern for the welfare of another. "Phileo" (5368) is used about 25 times and refers to being attracted to people, circumstances or things that produce pleasure, such as love of family, friend, or pet. A compound Greek word "Astorgos" (G794) appears twice (Romans 1:31 and 2 Timothy 3:3) means "not" and "to cherish."

In the song of this title, the idea is what love is this that Jesus had when He gave His life as a ransom for all. Picture the cross and Jesus hanging dead, dripping with blood as the means of reconciliation for the whole of humanity.

This kind of love gives rather than receives, sacrifices rather than receives benefit. Do we love Christ as He loved us?

 

While absolutely true, the observation begs the question, "Yes, but what are we doing to mitigate this shortcoming?"

What kind of love are we lacking? Can we not look at a smiling child in Asia or Africa and to be attracted to their needful innocence. And do we not give, and wish we could give more to our church's missionary outreach? To love the lost in general is easier than to actually feel compassion for a belligerent perhaps homeless person on the street. Some Christians give to the panhandlers located on off-ramps and intersections. Since I knew one of these, who would after his shift walk about half a block and get in his Cadillac, I am pretty sure most of them are deceivers.

But does that make me a phony Christian? What about tough love, where discipline, not apathy cloaked in tolerance, is the need.

Love that issues a word salad of blessings, "I will be praying for you" or redirects a person with need to "professionals" might look good as a whitewashed wall, but could it cloak a heart with "little" love?

Rather than look at others and reassure ourselves, well I seem to be doing as well as others, we are supposed to look at Christ and ask what can I change in my attitudes to better mirror my Lord?

What kind of love is this, the love exhibited by that Carpenter's son, who, while on the cross, asked His friend to take care of His mother? Love that goes beyond lip service to provide mercy and grace.