So what is love really?
Wikipedia definitions love as “a constellation of emotions and experiences related to a sense of strong affection or profound oneness. The meaning of love varies relative to context.”
Here are some simple definitions I found from various locations:
Agape love = self-sacrificing, paternal love of God for humanity
Philia love = brotherly love or a fondness and appreciation for another
Eros love = usually refers to love constituting a passionate, intense desire for something
So that is the easy part – the definition. But what does this really mean. I mean, how does one put their love into action? The Bible says to love your neighbor as yourself so how do we really do that? What kind of love does that refer to?
So often I hear that we should “love them as they are, where they are” so does that mean we should be accepting of their sins too? How do you separate the two?
Is there a difference in how we are commanded to love Christians versus non-Christians? How about how we love or enemies versus our friends?
What about our children – how do you show love for them? I have seen too often where parents say they are showing love by being permission or not spanking. I have also seen parents who are authoritarian and never allow their kids to express themselves. How do you find that balance?
What about the wayward child? You know, the one who causes those grey hairs and your ulcers. How do you show them love? What about tough love? What is tough love? How do you redirect them so that they are not wayward anymore? Can you?
I plan on continuing this in a future blog but this should be enough to start some discussions 
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After reading this post, I am now thinking of Billy Crystal in “The Princess Bride” saying “Twue Wuv”. Off the top of my head, I’d have to say that I think of respect going along with love.
I’m sure Paul will come back with something profound, so I’ll just say “ditto” ahead of time.
I’m with Kim, ditto with the profound stuff! Let me tackle the “eros” love. I think that is more fun.
…of course only if your married. Engaged couples would simply find this kind of love frustrating!
Premarital sex is not God’s plan. I know it happens all the time and people will have sex before marriage but that still doesn’t make it right. What if one of our boy’s decided not to marry but decided to live with a girl and enjoy all the yum-yums of marriage? He attends church, he is a believer and is a Youth Sponsor. Will anyone, other than his parents, bring this situation to his attention? Will anyone confront in love and hold him accountable? Or is this only his problem?
I do agree with Kim that respect has a lot to do with it. But respect alone will not bring a turning around. I know that only the Holy Spirit can convict and change hearts, but sometimes bringing light to the sin can be the beginning of the realization that the backslider needs God’s forgiveness.
Bringing truth to such a situation is a reminder to the believer that we are “set apart for sacred use.” Accountability with the Word of God goes hand in hand along with the work of Holy Spirit for obedience and sanctification. I believe “tough love” in this situation is the bringing forth the sin, letting it be known that it is not acceptable, and that it grieves the Holy Spirit.
Premartial sex is not the unpardonable sin, and it can be forgiven when sincerely repented and forgiveness is sought and accepted.
Just using this “sin” as an example.
QP – I certainly agree with your comments about the “fun” part of Eros love – but I think it just blew my “G” rating.
Eros love can also apply to other aspects. For example, you have heard someone say “I sure do love chocolate” yet you don’t necessarily think of eros love in that instance. Yet, from my understand, it falls under that definition.
An interesting thought just struck me. Can we have “eros love” for something at church – something like a ministry for example? Hmmm. For example, I have often said that I have a passion for this or a passion for that. Is that Eros love or another type of love? How do you diffentiate it? Can it turn into Philia or Agape?
Wow, this is a very thought provoking post and I wish I got in on it earlier. One danger us Christians have is equating love with being nice. Love is always kind (the Bible says that) but nice is another thing. Love has to be tough to endure difficulty and it has to be tough in order to deliver words or consequences that are difficult for the loved one to hear.
This is a good discussion and an important concept to explore.
love you forever…
just know that your insight to things, questions, love, and the Word of God always takes me to the next level. You have such wisdom and knowledge and I am so blessed to be able to tap into it. My oh my…you are an instrument used by God to set my my spiritual life on FIRE!!
The blog arena is not a place to tell all about how this love came to be. There is so much detail and many other God moments that there are no words to give a hint of how this came to be. You are my kinsman!
Not to mention how you have been there for others behind the fire and crash scenes! You have been someone elses strong tower in those times that life is crashing or burning down around them, God has placed you there to extend His love and protection through you! Babe what a blessing you are!
Yes there is such thing as love at first sight! And yes we have had to endure tough situations like many others – but there is no other that I could have gone through it with such grace like I have with YOU! You made it possible!
Baby you can light my fire! for such a time as this…