Monday, November 2, 2015

Agape Love


Agape Love
 
Anyone who knows me well, knows that I love german chocolate cake.  The sweet mixture of coconut, and nuts, and chocolate cake is delicious.  I also love the color red, and reading a good book.  After God, I love my husband and my family.  Love takes on many forms, and it has different meanings depending on the situation or context.

Everyone knows February 14th is Valentine’s Day, which is synonymous with LOVE.  But I thought we’d explore a different type of love . . . Agape love.

Agape love is defined as: selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love.  Agape describes the kind of love Jesus Christ has for His Father, and for us, His followers.  Agape love is what was displayed when Jesus sacrificed His life for us on the cross.  (“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 NIV)

Agape love is not a feeling.  It is a love that gives, without expecting anything in return.  It shows itself in action. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NIV). How selfless is that!  Would you be willing to give your life for someone that is not even giving you a second thought? 

Ephesians 5, verses 1 and 2 says, “Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” 

If we are to be imitators of Christ, then we are to put forth our best effort in displaying Agape love to others, not expecting anything in return, and not ‘keeping score’.   What if Christ ‘kept score’ of all the grace and mercy he extends to us daily?  We would never be able to repay Him. 

How shall we display our Agape love for others?  Galatians 5:14 sums it up best: “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’”.

In this month of love, and all the year through, let’s display our Agape love, and watch God change things.

Missionary Margaret Slaughter

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