The Grass-Root Friend. Abiotona Alu Sukubo

It can also be described as the feeling of being content or holding one in high regard. Agape was used by Christians to express the unconditional love of God.

      Éros (ἔρως érōs) is passionate love, with sensual desire and longing. The Modern Greek word "erotas" means "intimate love;" however, eros does not have to be sexual in nature. Eros can be interpreted as a love for someone whom you love more than the philia, love of friendship. It can also apply to dating relationships as well as marriage. Plato refined his own definition: Although eros is initially felt for a person, with contemplation it becomes an appreciation of the beauty within that person, or even becomes appreciation of beauty itself. Plato does not talk of physical attraction as a necessary part of love, hence the use of the word platonic to mean, "Without physical attraction." In the Symposium, the most famous ancient work on the subject, Plato has Socrates argue that eros helps the soul recall knowledge of beauty, and contributes to an understanding of spiritual truth, the ideal "Form" of youthful beauty that leads us humans to feel erotic desire -- thus suggesting that even that sensually-based love aspires to the non-corporeal, spiritual plane of existence; that is, finding its truth, just like finding any truth, leads to transcendence. Lovers and philosophers are all inspired to seek truth through the means of eros.

      Philia (φιλία philía) means affectionate regard or friendship in both ancient and modern Greek. It is a dispassionate virtuous love, a concept developed by Aristotle. It includes loyalty to friends, family, and community, and requires virtue, equality and familiarity. In ancient texts, philos denoted a general type of love, used for love between family, between friends, a desire or enjoyment of an activity, as well as between lovers.

      Storge (στοργή storgē) means "affection" in ancient and modern Greek. It is natural affection, like that felt by parents for offspring. Rarely used in ancient works, and then almost exclusively as a descriptor of relationships within the family. It is also known to express mere acceptance or putting up with situations, as in "loving" the tyrant.

      The level of love in a relationship clearly defines such relationship to the parties involved and any third party witnessing it closely or from a far. The level of responsibility in a relationship is also determined by the amount of love in that relationship. Thus in all relationship there are different levels of commitment that are defined based on the type of love involved and we therefore see friendship as a kind of relationship defined by the type of love and the level of responsibility involved.

      Friendship is the state of being friends or friendly with a person endeared to you. Let me reiterate my point here that this friendship can come from anyone irrespective of their personality in the society, importance placed on them and what they are. A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity (Proverbs 17:17). Friendship is built on love which in turn brings forth trust, honesty, loyalty, sincerity and vigilance.

       Now that we have seen the different types of love, we can now ask ourselves this question ‘What kind of love is my friendship built on?’ is it philia or eros? Definitely not agape which only God can give. That is to say if you know the best kind of love you want, it will guide and direct you to find your true friend who is the Grass-root friend. As we go through the next chapters we shall know how to identify the Grass-root friend wherever we go because no matter what, they will never let go irrespective of how hard, bad and heartless you tread them.

      Useful Tips for You:

      Having knowledge of a subject matter is not enough. As you will still need a revelation (divine wisdom) on how and when to apply that knowledge in life else that knowledge is just a piece of information that is useless. This revelation only comes from God who establishes Himself through revelation. And until you have such encounter with God, you can never have wisdom to live your life right.

      Abiotona Alu Sukubo