Valentine's Day and Agape Love

So, because Valentines is this Friday, I thought I'd post about Agape Love. :)

Valentine's is a holiday that our culture takes and gives presents, chocolates, rose's, hugs and kisses to those whom they love. We all know that....right?!
Our family doesn't exactly celebrate Valentine's Day. My parents will get each of us kids a little something... like maybe a water bottle filled with a little bit of candy, or something as little as chalk and a ball for the younger ones... just to show us that they love us. :)
However, there is an even better kind of love!... it's called Agape Love. It's a self-less kind of love. A sacrificial love... the love that Christ has for us. Jesus loved us so much that he died on the cross for us!
Before I share a couple of verses, I'd like to share a story about love...
for my little brother's 3rd birthday, he wanted toy guns. So, on July 26th 2011, he got some toy guns. A few days after words, him and I were playing. I was the bad guy... and like all bad guys, you play out the story of the Sheriff shooting you. Well, Elijah shot me, so, I naturally, fell down and said, "I'm gonna die! You shot me, so I'm going to die!" Elijah literally rushed over to me, and scooped my head in his arms and gave me a kiss on the forehead. He said, "You can't die!" When I asked why, he said, "Because your my best friend, and I love you!" I was naturally touched by this, and so, without hesitation, I got up, and said, "your kiss saved me! I'm all better!" :)
I couldn't help but think of this story, when I thought about love. It's a sweet story that I'll remember for the rest of my life. :)
Just like how I "died", we all must "die" to our sins. Christ love was/is the perfect example of how we ought to love one another. Just a little something to think about. ;)
1 John 4:8

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
Romans 5:8

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
John 13:34-35

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 Corinthians 13:7

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends

.John 3:16

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.