SATURDAY 12 March, 2016
Love Versus Lust
… Amnon said to him, “I love Tamar, my brother Absalom’s sister.” - 2 Samuel 13:4
For the second time, in this chapter, we read of Amnon’s declaration of love for Tamar. Remember, this violent passion was nothing more than lust. When we express love towards someone, what kind of love is it? The Greek language helps us understand what we are feeling through four distinct meanings. First, eros is merely physical and expresses a sexual passion. Second, stergo primarily refers to a love between parents and children. Third, phileo is an affectionate brotherly love and lastly, agape, conveys God’s unconditional love for each one of us.
Love is well defined in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8:
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. …
Imagine if we tried to place our name in those verses? We would fail miserably! But if we place Christ’s name, it would fit perfectly! God’s love is not selfish; it is not self-centered but cares more about others.
God’s love was demonstrated to us when we were yet sinners. He sent His son to die on the cross for our sins (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). There is no other love that compares to God’s love. It is a sacrificial love, in reality, there is no greater love. Jesus declared: Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends (John 15:13).
What kind of love do you portray to others? Is it sacrificial or selfish?
Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.
~C. S. Lewis~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit Somebodylovesyouradio.org!