Agape Love

 

     Our word “love” covers a multitude of meanings. We love our food, our animals, a good book or a movie. The Greeks have several distinct and varied words for love. Here are three of them used throughout Scripture.

    The first type of love is philia which means brotherly love, the type of love you would have for a sibling or for a good friend. The second word for love is eros, a romantic love such as a husband and wife have for one another.

     Last but not least is the word, agape, the type of love Christ has for us. We may try to attain this type of love for each other, but it is beyond human capabilities. Agape love was demonstrated when God Himself was made sin for us. He laid down His life for us. He became a humble servant to all.

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.  John 15:13

     This love is self-less, unconditional, all-consuming and sacrificial. It is patient and kind, slow to anger, filled with loving kindness. It never gives up and never fails. (see 1 Corinthians 13) Unlike our human understanding of love, God’s love is a perfect love. God is love. He first loved us. Loving and believing in Jesus gives us full access to this agape love.

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him.  1 John 4:16

    And our loving Father is preparing a place for us. Believe in Him and His all-powerful, never-ending love.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to Myself, that where I am you may be also.” John 14:21-24

     Allow your heart to be at peace. Do not let your heart be troubled. Believe in Jesus. Abide in His love.

Dear Father,

Your sacrificial love came to save us and one day we will be with You. Give us the peace that passes understanding as we live out our days on earth. Thank You for this precious gift of love. We do love You with all of our hearts, with all of our minds, with all of our strength.

In Jesus name

Amen