Different kinds of love

Valentine’s Day is in two days and I’m struck by the outpouring of loving thoughts on this day. However, you also read about horrible beatings and killings that happen on this day inflicted by people who feel the opposite of love. We all know there are three “kinds” of love: eros is the emotional, sexual kind of feeling of arousal. Agape is familial love (brother, sister, parent and spouse). Godly love is fileo. All three should be present in a marriage, hopefully. Love is mostly a decision to make these three kinds of love available to a spouse – easier said than done when you consider two differing personalities who have decided to share life together, no matter what. Add to love goodwill – and you have the probability of a long life together. There will be ups and downs, of course, but we make the decision from fileo love. We love because God first loved us.