QKAG: Issue # 29

PAST ISSUE # 29
Questions Kids Ask About God

Question: What is love?

Answer: In modern term, we know love as great fondness or affection for someone special. But, in Greek term, love is categorized into three kinds - eros, philos, and agape (Greek words). Eros means physical or romantic love. This love is often displayed between couples, and husbands and wives. On the other hand, philos means brotherly love which is the love we have for our brothers, sisters, and friends. The most important kind of love is agape, meaning charity or divine love. This love is between God and His children. Subsequently, we also pass God's love to others in the form of charity.

Key Bible verses:
1 Corinthians 14:4-8, 13; Matthew 22:37-40, Romans 13:8-10

My views:
In general, our first experience of love is probably with our mothers. As babies, we experienced the warmth and love of our mothers who took care of us. As we grew up, we learn to love because our parents showed us how to love through their love for us. However, some children are abandoned or abused by their parents, or come from broken homes. These children probably have yet to experience real love.
As Christians, we accept Jesus into our hearts. When we do this, we acknowledge God's love for us. His love is exemplified by His act of sending His Son - Jesus to die for our sins on the cross (John 3:16). God also commanded His children to love Him and our neighbors (Matthew 22:37:40). I think it appropriate for us to return God's love because He has loved us through His Son. In addition, we should love our neighbors because we want to pass God's love to others. Basically, we love because God loves us first (1 John 4:19). If we have not experienced God's love, how do we really love our neighbors? As illustrated earlier, how do an abandoned child love others when he has not experienced a parent's love? It is probably very difficult for this child to love as he has yet to be loved.
This Valentine's Day, let us reflect upon God's love. As the Bible says: "God is love" (1 John 4:8). What does God's love mean to us? Do we really obey God's commandment to love our neighbors? Even though, God has shown us His love through the sacrifice of His Son, we can still ask God to give us more love so that we can truly love others. Love is a process. With each day, our love for God and our neighbors will deepen. Related topic in Issue # 21.

Last words...
"Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves His Child (Jesus) as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out His commands. This is love for God: to obey His commands. And His commands are not burdensome," (1 John 5:1-3)
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Source: 101 Questions Kids Ask About God, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc