Man’s first sin

397 Man, tempted by the devil, let his trust in his Creator die in his heart and, abusing his freedom, disobeyed God’s command. This is what man’s first sin consisted of. All subsequent sin would be disobedience toward God and lack of trust in his goodness. (1707, 2541; 1850, 215)

398 In that sin man preferred himself to God and by that very act scorned him. He chose himself over and against God, against the requirements of his creaturely status and therefore against his own good. Constituted in a state of holiness, man was destined to be fully “divinized” by God in glory. Seduced by the devil, he wanted to “be like God,” but “without God, before God, and not in accordance with God.” (2084, 2113)

399 Scripture portrays the tragic consequences of this first disobedience. Adam and Eve immediately lose the grace of original holiness. They become afraid of the God of whom they have conceived a distorted image—that of a God jealous of his prerogatives.

Man’s first sin

397 Man, tempted by the devil, let his trust in his Creator die in his heart and, abusing his freedom, disobeyed God’s command. This is what man’s first sin consisted of. All subsequent sin would be disobedience toward God and lack of trust in his goodness. (1707, 2541; 1850, 215)

398 In that sin man preferred himself to God and by that very act scorned him. He chose himself over and against God, against the requirements of his creaturely status and therefore against his own good. Constituted in a state of holiness, man was destined to be fully “divinized” by God in glory. Seduced by the devil, he wanted to “be like God,” but “without God, before God, and not in accordance with God.” (2084, 2113)

399 Scripture portrays the tragic consequences of this first disobedience. Adam and Eve immediately lose the grace of original holiness. They become afraid of the God of whom they have conceived a distorted image—that of a God jealous of his prerogatives.

Love is a person

All of us at a certain point of life might have asked in one way or another,

What is love?

And there are, of course many answers to this ever relevant question,

Because love is a complex and powerful reality

And almost everyone experiences and feels it in unique ways.

That's why the Greeks came up with 10 different words

For the many types of love we encounter throughout our lives.

1. Philia — Love without romantic attraction and occurs between friends or family

 members

2. Pragma — Enduring Love, love that matures over many years

3. Storge — Familiar Love. A natural form of affection that often flows between

 parents and their children, and children for their parents

4. Eros — Romantic Love. It’s a passionate love displayed through physical affection

5. Ludus — Playful Love. It is an uncommitted love. That is casual, and based on fun

6. Mania — Obsessive Love. It is an uncontrollable love towards someone 

or something

7. Xenia — Love of the stranger. Love for people you don’t know

8. Narcissistic — Ego-centric love. Love of or desire of one's own body

9. Philautia — Self-love in its healthiest form

10. Agape — Selfless Love. The unconditional love of God, Seeking the good of those who don’t deserve it.

Thus Ancient Greek society recognized that there are many kinds of love,

That love has many shades and flavors.

But according to the Holy Scriptures there is only one answer to the question,

‘what is love?’

Love is a person 

and

that person is Jesus. 

Because 

He is the origin of love.

Apart from him there is no love.

He is the reason we even know what love is,

And he has taught us everything we need to know about love.

May His selfless love inspire us to love like Him.

Love is a person

All of us at a certain point of life might have asked in one way or another,

What is love?

And there are, of course many answers to this ever relevant question,

Because love is a complex and powerful reality

And almost everyone experiences and feels it in unique ways.

That's why the Greeks came up with 10 different words

For the many types of love we encounter throughout our lives.

1. Philia — Love without romantic attraction and occurs between friends or family

 members

2. Pragma — Enduring Love, love that matures over many years

3. Storge — Familiar Love. A natural form of affection that often flows between

 parents and their children, and children for their parents

4. Eros — Romantic Love. It’s a passionate love displayed through physical affection

5. Ludus — Playful Love. It is an uncommitted love. That is casual, and based on fun

6. Mania — Obsessive Love. It is an uncontrollable love towards someone 

or something

7. Xenia — Love of the stranger. Love for people you don’t know

8. Narcissistic — Ego-centric love. Love of or desire of one's own body

9. Philautia — Self-love in its healthiest form

10. Agape — Selfless Love. The unconditional love of God, Seeking the good of those who don’t deserve it.

Thus Ancient Greek society recognized that there are many kinds of love,

That love has many shades and flavors.

But according to the Holy Scriptures there is only one answer to the question,

‘what is love?’

Love is a person 

and

that person is Jesus. 

Because 

He is the origin of love.

Apart from him there is no love.

He is the reason we even know what love is,

And he has taught us everything we need to know about love.

May His selfless love inspire us to love like Him.

Justified in the Blood of Christ 

Saved from Wrath of God

Saved through Christ 

Reconciled enemies to God through death of Christ

Saved through Life of Christ 

Romans 5:9–10 (NKJV): having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

Justified in the Blood of Christ 

Saved from Wrath of God

Saved through Christ 

Reconciled enemies to God through death of Christ

Saved through Life of Christ 

Romans 5:9–10 (NKJV): having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

We Must receive the abundant grace 

and gift of righteousness 

to reign in this life through Christ. 

The free gift comes to all men 

but must be received. 

Don’t harden your heart!

Romans 5:17 (NKJV): those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

Romans 5:18 (NKJV): the free gift came to all men