1. An Unconditional Love
Marla A. Matime
When we think of love, we often refer to the feelings that we experience in
different situations involving another individual or individuals. The Bible
mentions three specific types of love that we experience within ourselves, with
others, and ultimately with Him. The two forms of love that many experience
at any given moment in the day are those of Eros which is a desire and longing
for someone or something and Philos, which is the kind of love that is
expressed towards a companion or a friend. The last form of love that God
commands of all believers is that of Agape love which is the divine love of the
Father towards his son Jesus Christ, humans, and non-believers.
1 John 4: 17-19
“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do
with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the Day of
Judgment; because as He is, so also are we in this world. There is no fear in
love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves punishment, and the
one who fears is not perfected in love. We love, because He first loved us.”
Agape love, being the strongest and self-less form of love, is never determined
by feelings.
The first two types of love that we tend to share is based solely on feeling with
Eros love being more selfish, sexual and erotic, based on the attraction of
physical traits and ultimately, this form seeks to conquer and control. Philos,

2. isn’t selfish; however, the ideal of this form of love is basically, I will love you
and do things for you because you have done or will do those things and much
more for me. If, or when, one person in the friendship or relationship gets
tired, feels slighted or anything else that could cause a rift in the relationship,
the love grows cold, sour and can come to an abrupt end. In Luke chapter 6
and verse 32 we are told that "If you love those who love you, what credit is
that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.”
As believers, we must know that because God shows us his unadulterated love
daily, we must show the same love towards our brothers and sisters in Christ
and show love towards non-believers, because they probably never get an
opportunity to experience what love feels like since they have never been
introduced to the love God has for them. We must be that beacon of light and
hope for them to know that they are loved and that there is one true God who
loves them and wants them to experience the blessings that he has for them.
1 Thessalonians 4:9
But we don't need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for
God himself has taught you to love one another.
If you have ever been somewhere and heard someone say, “Jesus loves you,” I
challenge you to add, “and so do I” to the end of that phrase. The more you
practice putting Jesus first and then expressing your love towards your brother
or sister (whether believer or not) you will grow into being filled with the Agape
love that God commands for us to express and share.
May you and yours be blessed with this message of love.