Actually no human being can ever love the way God loves. It's impossible. God loves with an unconditional love that surpasses anything we can ever imagine. We set conditions towards anyone we love, even our family and children. Past pain forces us to set up barriers that in turn force us to set conditions in all relationships and friendships. We have to rely on God's love for Him to help us love His way and the way His Word asks us to love.

You see the word 'agape' in many references to Christianity. Agapao and agape are used most to refer to love that acts in a proper way, a love that does the right thing, despite our feelings. Christ demonstrated this love when he made the ultimate sacrifice on the cross for us and all mankind. Even though at that time, His level of feeling and desire, was to escape this pain. (Matt. 26:38-39) In spite of His agony of His soul, He asked God, His Father, that His will be done.

Another greek word used by Paul refers to a 'phileo' love often described as the emotional dimension of love. Phileo involves friendship. It expresses delight in doing something; it refers to doing something in pleasure. This kind of love involves emotions and is a decision. You cannot command a person to feel a certain way towards someone else. You cannot command a person to feel positive when they feel negative. It is a process of learning; a process of coming to the place where we feel warm and secure. Where we gain a deep sense of trust and emotional commitment. Love demonstrates loyalty, affection, and commitment.

The choice we make when we love someone is a personal decision that will bring us into a whole new realm of responsibility. Loving as God has asked us to love is difficult, but as Christians with a teachable heart, we can always work towards that ultimate goal of reaching the heights that God has intended us to reach.

1 Corinthians 13 teaches us that, 'Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, love is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs, love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth, love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ...Love never fails'

Ask yourself...

1. Do I apply all these to those that I love?
2. Which ones of these do I have to work on?
3. Do I believe that those that love me apply these to me?
4. How can I show God's love to others?

Sometimes it's not easy to love others. God created us to love each other and that is one of His greatest commandments, that we love one another as He loves us. Love, as well as forgiveness, is a decision that we make in our life. Once we have decided to love another, then we have to take God's Word and apply that to that person we love, whether it is our husband/wife, children, family, friends, or even a stranger. The beauty of loving others is that you awaken a love of God in you that will bring peace and joy into your life.

'...three things that will endure – faith, hope, and love – and the greatest of these is love.' - 1 Corinthians 13:13