"COMMANDED TO LOVE"

INTRODUCTION
  1. In the minds of many, love is simply an emotion...
    1. A feeling that cannot be forced
    2. An emotion that can come and go (e.g., "I don't love you anymore...")
  2. Yet we are commanded to love...
    1. And not just in the sense of active good will
    2. But also in the sense of affection, friendship
  3. It is common to distinguish between two different Greek words for love...
    1. Agape (active good will), as that which is commanded
    2. Phileo (fondness, friendship), as that which cannot be forced
  4. Yet the distinction between the two is not always clear cut...
    1. Agape can also be defined as "brotherly love, affection" - Thayer, Strong
    2. Phileo is often commanded in the Scriptures

[Perhaps a review of how we are commanded to love is in order. Also, how we can be taught to develop an emotional love towards another person. Beginning first with the command to love...]

  1. WE ARE COMMANDED TO LOVE
    1. GOD AND JESUS...
      1. We are commanded to love (agape) God with our heart - Mk 12:30
      2. We are commanded to love (phileo) Jesus, more than family - 1 Co 16:22; Mt 10:37
    2. THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY...
      1. We are commanded to love (agape) our neighbor - Mk 12:31
      2. We are commanded to love (agape) our enemies - Mt 5:44
    3. THOSE IN OUR FAMILIES...
      1. Husbands are to love (agape) their wives (which includes to cherish) - Ep 5:25,28-29
      2. Wives are to love their husbands (philandros, to love as a friend) - Ti 2:4
      3. Mothers are to love their children (philoteknos, to be fond of one's children) - Ti 2:4
    4. THOSE IN THE CHURCH...
      1. We are to love (agape) one another as Christ loved us - Jn 13:34
      2. We are to be kindly affectionate (philostorgos, love of family) to one another with brotherly love (philadelphia, fraternal affection) - Ro 12:10

      [It should be evident that the command to love often requires displaying a true, heartfelt, affection towards another (e.g., Jesus, spouses, children, brethren in Christ). If commanded, then it must be something we can develop where lacking. By the grace of God, we can be taught how to love...]

  2. WE ARE TAUGHT HOW TO LOVE
    1. WE CAN BE TAUGHT BY...
      1. God
        1. Concerning brotherly love (philadelphia) to love one another (agape) - 1 Th 4:9
        2. How He sent His Son - 1 Jn 4:9-10
      2. Jesus
        1. How He was willing to die for us - 1 Jn 3:16
        2. How He loved (agape and phileo) His disciples - Jn 11:3,5 (Lazarus, Mary, Martha); Jn 13:1,34 (the disciples); Jn 13:23; 20:2 (John)
      3. Paul
        1. Who taught Christians how to walk in love - Ep 5:1-2
        2. Who taught husbands how to love their wives - Ep 5:25-33
        3. Who practiced brotherly love (agapetos, beloved, dear) - cf. Ph 4:1
      4. Peter
        1. Who taught us to love one another (phileo and agape) fervently - 1 Pe 1:22; 4:8
        2. Who taught us to love (agape) the brotherhood, as brethren (philadelphos) - 1 Pe 2:17; 3:8
        3. Who practiced brotherly love (agapetos, beloved, dear) - cf. 2 Pe 3:15
      5. Other Christians
        1. Older women should be capable of teaching the younger women - Ti 2:3-4
        2. Even young Christians can set an example of how to love - 1 Ti 4:12; 2 Th 1:3
    2. WE CAN DEVELOP HEARTFELT AFFECTION...
      1. Phileo love can be enhanced by adding agape love to it - cf. 2 Pe 1:7
      2. Display active good will (agape), and heartfelt affection (phileo) will follow - cf. 1 Th 4:9
CONCLUSION
  1. We cannot excuse the lack of heartfelt love toward Jesus, our brethren, or our families...
    1. By making a distinction between agape and phileo
    2. For both kinds of love are commanded, and the two often overlap
  2. Where we lack a heartfelt love toward Jesus, our brethren, our family members...
    1. We need to acknowledge the deficiency (as a sign of spiritual immaturity)
    2. We need to be willing to relearn love (whether it be agape or phileo)
  3. When we need to learn love others with a heartfelt love...
    1. Look to the examples of the Father, Jesus, the apostles, and other Christians
    2. Take the initiative to practice agape love, and phileo love will develop naturally

We have been purified to have unfeigned, affectionate love for one another (philadelphia); do we love one another (agape) fervently as we should...? - cf. 1 Pe 1:22