Love
Did you know the biblical word “love” actually has 4 meanings? We love differently – based on the person and relationship.
The first kind of love is
eros
. It is the physical or sexual intimacy between a husband and wife. This is the ultimate expression of romantic feelings, and is often what people think of first.
The next is
storge
– or family love. This is the cherishing, affectionate, tender love between family members like parents and children. It is strong, caring, and lasting.
The next kind is
phileo
– or friendship love. It is a strong feeling of care, respect, compassion. You might feel this for a good friend.
The last meaning of love is the highest kind and is called
agape
. It is how God loves us - divine, selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. This is the kind of love we should be cultivating.
I Peter 4:8 says “Keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” Learn to love appropriately and extravagantly!