In our modern culture, the term "love" is applied in many different ways -- we love our football teams, we love our valentines chocolates, we love our vehicles, we love our ___________.
However, when we come across the word "love" in the Bible, specifically in the New Testament, the type of love referred to is much more significant than the type of love that we apply to these worldly things.
When we read the New Testament and come across the word "love", there is a good chance that the word was translated from the Greek word "agape".
When the word “agape” is used in the Bible, it refers to the highest form of love that intentionally desires others' highest good.
Agape-love is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional love that persists no matter what the circumstance.
Agape-love is the love that Christ demonstrated as He forgave those who brutalized him and nailed Him to a cross.
Agape-love is also the type of love that is to be an identifying quality in the lives of Christians! That's us!
John 13:35
New Living Translation
35 Your love (agape) for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
Not only should Christians demonstrate agape-love for one another, but we are instructed to do EVERYTHING with this type of love!
1 Corinthians 16:14;24
New Living Translation
14 And do everything with love (agape).
Do everything with love? That may sound super intimidating at first...it may even seem impossible...
BUT REMEMBER!
It is through the POWER of the SPIRIT that lives in us, we are enabled to demonstrate agape-love.
Romans 8:9
New Living Translation
9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you.
Love Is The Greatest
Agape-love is also the type of love described in 1 Corinthians 13. This is a good reminder that we can possess many positive traits, but those traits equal nothing without the love of God flowing through us.
1 Corinthians 13
New Living Translation
13 If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love (agape) others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
2 If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love (agape) others, I would be nothing.
3 If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it; but if I didn’t love (agape) others, I would have gained nothing.
God wants to express his agape-love FOR others THROUGH us...
Let's let Him!