By: Ted Camp, Silent Word Ministries

As Valentine Day nears, I thought it would be good to write about Bible love. Love lives to give not to get.

There are at least five different loves in the Bible. (1) Phileo love a “friendship love” That says, “I need you.”

(2) Eros love is a “self love” that says, “I will love you if ...” The world is full of self-love that demands others to prove their love by pleasing them. Worldly love means that the one who pleases me the most, loves me the most.

(3) Epithumia love between a husband and wife that says, “I love you because you are mine.”

(4) Storge’ a “family love” that says, “I love you because you are part of me.”

(5) Agape love is an “unconditional love” from God. Agape love gives and expects nothing in return. It says, “I love you no matter what.”

Unconditional love means there is not one thing I can do to make God love me more, or one thing I can do to make God love me less. God simply loves me unconditionally because of Christ. There is a difference in lust and love. Lust seeks to get, but love seeks to give. One husband said, “I love football, pizza, my dog, and my wife, but not in that order.”

Elisa Morgan, president of MOPS (Mothers Of Preschoolers) gives insight into a child’s view of love: The Toddler’s Creed...“If I want it, it’s mine. If I give it to you and change my mind later, it’s mine. If I can take it away from you, it’s mine. If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine. If it’s mine, it will never belong anyone else, no matter what. If we are building something together, all the pieces are mine. If it looks just like mine, it is mine.”

Well, it is time that some people learn that love is not like the Burger King, you can’t have it your way all the time. True love is in a home where envy and strife are shut out and love is shut in. True love seeks to give to others instead of self. One woman said, “I have never known that kind of love.”

I often say, “Don’t love things but love people.”

As you give your Valentine Cards this year don’t forget to also give God’s “agape” love to your family, friends, and others. You will be glad you did, and so will they.

These Are Words of Wisdom.

Ted Camp is director of Silent Word Ministries, a worldwide ministry to the deaf based in Trenton. E-mail him at TC@silentword.org to be added to the email list for weekly articles or phone (706) 657-8000.