TEXT:"THE elder unto the well- beloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth."-3 John 1:1

Love is a strong feeling of deep affection for somebody or something. There is only one love. However, there are two sides of love: the God side, which is the Godkind of love; and the man side, which is the Mankind of love.

In the Mankind of love, this is a strong feeling of deep affection for somebody or something that is attracted to you. This kind of love is shown, when a person or thing is attracted to you; but if the person or thing is not attracted to you, you don't show love.

For example, the love of the family i.e the love of fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters, and even the extended relations. These are attracted by family ties. Another example, is the friendly love, this is the love between friends. They are attracted by friendship. Next is the sexual love, this is the love between lovers, especially husbands and wives. They are attracted by marriage. And finally, but on the negative side, is infatuation, this is a very strong feelings of love or attraction to somebody or something, especially when these are unreasonable and do not last long.

And on the other side of love, the Godkind of love is a strong feeling of deep affection for somebody or something that is either attracted to you or not. This is the kind of love that scholars call the "agape love". While we were not attracted to God, because of our sins, God still showed his affection towards us, Romans 5:6-8. This is the kind of love that you show to your enemies, Matthew 5:44. Even when they are not attracted to you.

Another name for this kind of love is Charity, 1 Corinthians 13. In all the portion of the Bible, where the word love is mentioned, especially the love of God, the love is actually referring to this Godkind of love, e.g 1 John 4:8. In John 3:16, " For God so love the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." To render this verse in its real essence, this verse will read, "For God so charity the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

This Godkind of love suffers long, and its kind. It does not envy. It does not talk about or praise itself as being good, especially when this is not deserved. It does not puff up with pride. It does not behave itself unseemly. It is not selfish. It is not easily provoked. It does not think evil.

Furthermore, this kind of love does not rejoice in iniquity, it rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, it believes all things, it hopes all things, it endures all things, and it never fails. And now, there are three great qualities: faith, hope, and charity, but the greatest of these three is charity, the Godkind of love. Shalom!

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.

Pastor K. C.