Genesis chapter 24 and verse 67 always strikes me because of its simplicity. Isaac and Rebecca had met for the very first time but it says she became his wife and he loved her.

In new testament Greek the predominant word for love is "agape." This is an unconditional love, an act of our will, by faith. This is how God loves us (John 3:16). We are called to "agapao" one another as Christ loved us (John 13:34). It always impresses me that husbands are admonished to set the tone for love (agape) in their marriages (Eph. 5:21-33). They are the ones admonished to love in that passage.

This love or “agape”, for others is patient, pure, humble, controlled, kind, polite; thinks God's thoughts and abhors evil. It is never selfish, it is full of faith and never fails (1 Cor.13:4-8).

In any relationship, “agape” is the foundation but affection ("phileo" in the Greek) is also important; the fondness, tenderness, proclamation and demonstration of love (Rom.12:9,10).

Let us let the Apostle John have the final word: "my little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth" (1 John.3:18; KJV). Isn't that what God did for us? (John 3:16) Wow! Enough said!

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