The Measure of Love

The words “Eros”, “Filia”, & “Agape” from the Greek text for love have always fascinated me. To think that we as English speaking people, and most of the world, for that matter, appear to have only one word to measure this deepest of our emotions is unfortunate. After hearing Pastor Sean’s message taken from Luke 6: 27-36, I was again challenged by the thought that we are to love those whom we perceive as being unlikeable; those who are crude and mistreat us, and those who are disagreeable in every way. I’m just glad I don’t receive back the same measure of love I have often given to those whom I have found to be unlikeable and disagreeable. The two phrases from Pastor Sean’s message that stick in my mind are: “Going beyond the measure of love that is required” and being “Redemptive in our concern for the needs of others”.  My prayer is that I will be more “redemptive” in every facet of my life, and go way beyond the measure of love that is simply acceptable.