Agape Style

     The Greeks do not have just one word for love to encompass every feeling known to man, from chocolate to friendship to romance, as we do. The Greek words include “eros,” a romantic, passionate love, the deep love between a husband and wife, for example. There is “philia,” the love of a friend. This is why Philadelphia is known as the “city of brotherly love.” God’s love goes to a deeper level. His “agape” love is a sacrificial love, a selfless love, the highest form of love.

     This sacrificial, unconditional love is found in God’s gift to us. The gift of Jesus. The gift of eternal life. The gift of a sacrifice so deep that our God took on all of our sin and felt the punishment, paid the penalty, for us.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

    He didn’t die for us because we are good enough. We aren’t. Not one of us.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

     No, we can’t earn it. Not one of us. He died for us while we were sinners, to give us this gift of grace and mercy. That is how much we are loved. All we need to do is believe. “Whoever” believes will have eternal life.

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

     Agape love for His children. Believe!

Lord,

Your sacrificial love is tough for us to accept. We long to earn Your love, to do enough, to work harder, to try a little more. But You offer us eternal life just for believing that Jesus died for us. We believe.

In Jesus name,

Amen