Welcome to our True Love post. This message is from Pastor Merrill Caviness sermon that he preached at Riverside Seventh-day Adventist Christian church in Washougal, Washington on 16 February 2019. In the Bible, 1 Corinthians 13 is an excellent chapter about love.
Are we looking for Love in all the wrong places? In the Bible, there is a love story in the Book of Genesis.
Genesis 2 tells us about Adam and Eve and the very first marriage.
18 And the Lord God said, “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper comparable to him.” 19 Out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. 20 So Adam gave names to all cattle, to the birds of the air, and to every beast of the field. But for Adam there was not found a helper comparable to him.
21 And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall on Adam, and he slept; and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Then the rib which the Lord God had taken from man He made into a woman, and He brought her to the man.
23 Adam said:
“This is now bone of my bones
And flesh of my flesh;
She shall be called Woman,
Because she was taken out of Man.”
24 Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.
25 And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.
In Genesis 3, Eve is deceived by the serpent. The snake questions God’s Authority and puts doubt into Eve’s mind by saying: “You will not surely die” in verse 4. God had instructed Adam and Eve to not eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. Eve took from the tree and ate the fruit and gave some to her husband Adam. As a result of not following God’s instructions, all of mankind fell into sin.
Blame Game
After the fall, we read in Genesis 3 that Adam blamed Eve, then Eve blamed the serpent and all death, disease, sin and suffering is a result of the original sin. God did not leave Adam and Eve after their fall into sin. God came looking for them as they hid themselves in the Garden of Eden.
Where do you find true love? Here are the different kinds of Love.
Types of Love
Storge is an Empathy Bond. This is family love. Love that your brother has for his sister or child has for their parent.
Philia or friend bond is the love between friends as close as siblings in strength and duration. The friendship is the strong bond existing between people who share common values, interests or activities.
Eros or erotic bond is love in the sense of “being in love” or “loving” someone. Eros is the love where you will give your life for some one else like Jesus Christ did for fallen mankind.
Agape or unconditional “God” love is the love that exists regardless of changing circumstances. Christian Author C.S. Lewis recognizes this selfless love as the greatest of the four loves, and sees it as a specifically Christian virtue to achieve.
The Bible tells us that because of sin, we have lost sight of True Love. The Bible tells us to Love One Another. God has agaped us. We should do the same for other people.
God created Family to teach us how to Love as He does. Make Jesus Christ first and foremost and you will survive trials of Life. Study to advance the happiness of each other. We get a foretaste of heaven when we live by serving other people now. Learn more by reading Ellen White’s book:
Adventist Home
Dave and Ann Wilson were near their 10 year wedding anniversary. Dave went all out to make their special day a blessing. He bought Ann 10 roses and took her out to dinner. Ann told Dave that their marriage was over. Dave took the news very hard.
Dave got on his knees in his car and began to pray. Dave asked God to change him. He prayed that God would make him available to be home more. He prayed to be a better father and husband.
Ann realized her own shortcomings and began praying with Dave. Dave and Ann Wilson have a much better relationship because they chose to seek God and pray.
Accept God’s Offer
God offers us true love that will be there always no matter what. Seek Agape Love in all your relationships. Father God, help us learn how to truly love, in Jesus name, Amen.
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