“Do not love (agapaō: to love unconditionally and sacrificially as God Himself loves) the world, nor the things in the world. IF ANYONE LOVES (agapaō: denotes caring love, a deliberate attitude of mind that concerns itself with the well-being of the one loved) THE WORLD, THE LOVE OF THE FATHER IS NOT IN HIM, because all that is in the world, the LUST OF THE FLESH, THE EYES, and THE PRIDE OF LIFE, is NOT OF THE FATHER, but is OF THE WORLD. And the world passes away, and the lust of it, but HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF GOD ABIDES (menō: to be in a state that begins and forever continues) FOREVER.” (1 John 2:15-17)
The EXTREME IMPORTANCE OF LOVE is expressed in the answer Jesus gave when asked, by “…an expert in the law, testing (peirazō: to put to the proof His feelings or judgment) Jesus with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘LOVE (agapaō) the Lord your God with ALL your HEART, SOUL and MIND.’ This is the FIRST and GREATEST commandment. And the second is like it: ‘LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets are based on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:35-40)
Jesus illustrated agapaō love to His disciples, “Simon Peter said to the other disciples, “I am GOING (hupagō: a final departure, “I’m returning to my former job”) fishing.” They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and IMMEDIATELY got into the boat, and that night THEY CAUGHT NOTHING. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples DID NOT KNOW THAT IT WAS JESUS. Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?” They answered Him, “No.” And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” SO THEY CAST, and now they were NOT ABLE TO DRAW IT IN BECAUSE OF THE MULTITUDE OF FISH.” (John 21:3-6) Peter realized it was Jesus and dove into the water and swam ashore, where they discovered they had caught 153 large fish. Jesus prepared breakfast for them so, they all ate.
Then Jesus asked Peter, “Simon, do you LOVE (agapaō) Me more than THESE (Jesus was referring to the 153 fish they just caught)?” Peter said, “Yes, Lord; You know that I LOVE (phileō: to be a friend to be fond of) You.” Jesus said, “Feed My lambs (give up fishing, come back as my disciple).“ (John 21:15) Jesus asked a second time, “do you LOVE (agapaō) Me” Peter responded, “You know that I LOVE (phileō) You.” The third time Jesus said to him, “Simon, do you LOVE (phileō) me?” PETER WAS HURT because Jesus asked the third time, “Do you (phileō) (do you even LIKE me Peter)?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I LOVE (phileō) you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” (John 21:17) JESUS DESIRES FOR US TO LOVE HIM WITH ALL OUR HEART, SOUL AND MIND.
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham