Thoughts on Love.

Camp was a great experience for me this year.  I think when you go to a place set aside for the glory of God for an entire week, and then spend the week studying the nature of God, you are likely to receive an abundance of spiritual blessings.  I certainly feel that was the case for me.

We studied the four loves (from Greek).  We talked about the first love (storge) that we learn from our families; and how God is our Father and disciplines us as sons and daughters.  We discussed friendship (phileo) that we learn as we develop common interests with others; and how God is a friend to those who share his interests.  We also talked about desire (eros) that we experience so strongly in this world with regard to things and people; and how God both desires us and wants us to desire him with the passion of David.  Finally, we discussed the active and Godly love (agape) that is discussed in I John 3 and 4; and how God loves us with action and expects our actions to reflect our love for Him and each other. 

That brings me to the key thought I had for the week.  The first three loves are described by C.S. Lewis as “natural” loves.  Actions based on those loves are responses to feelings.  But agape is different.  The source of agape is the image of God.  The actions of Christians are not merely responses to feelings, nor are they simply obedience to God’s commandment.  The actions based on agape are a product of who we are, and who we are becoming.  As we are transformed into the image and likeness of Christ, our actions reflect the change. 

Agape–or at least the best I can do,

Chris