Philos
~Brotherly love ~ a love based on friendship~
Incidentally, Philadelphia is the city of brotherly love,
based on this word!
“For the Father himself loves you, because you
have loved me and have believed that I came from God.” {John 16:27}
In this verse, the Greek for love is Philos…basically, in
scripture, when God is entering into a relationship with us; He uses the Philos
type love to describe that “brotherly/Fatherly” love.
Think about the most
solid relationships you have in your life…they are usually based on a deep
friendship. Of course for our spousal relationships, this is the best place to
start!
So, a few weeks ago, I was doing some volunteer work for our
church, when a wife of one of the Pastors stopped to chat with me. God, in His perfect timing sent her to speak
some truths into me that day! One thing
she spoke was, regarding seeing her husband as her “brother in Christ” when she
prays for him, not just as her husband!
This actually became a “light bulb” moment for me! If I am praying for my husband as my brother in
Christ, I tend to pray solely for his growth and benefit. On the contrary, when
I pray for him as my husband, I pray {though not intentionally} with a personal
outcome in mind. “If this changes in
him, it will benefit me.”
One thing I want to point out…God loves us both with an
Agape type love and a Philos type love – they are not necessarily exclusive of
the other. We are to emulate His
example, so strive for both and ask Him to fill you with both in your
relationships!
Now for the Giveaway!
{Drum Roll Please…}
The winner of the
diapers is:
Annika!
Thanks for stopping by!
Be Refreshed!
Wow. I never thought about praying for Eric as my brother in Christ, not just as my husband. Love it! Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDeleteLight bulb came on for me as well, especially during your visit today! I want to say thank you!! And it keeps the mommy/Eve side of me out of my relationship with my husband (sometimes we unknowingly put expectations on them that they can't fill, and maybe aren't meant to, but when you treat them as a friend as well, you relieve those expectations. I mean, come on, would you expect as much out of one of your girlfriends?! ...didn't think so!), I appreciate the new outlook!
ReplyDelete