Agape is a Person. First John 4:8b says, “God is love.” When we know agape, we know the Person who embodies it. As the Son of the God who is love, Jesus Christ was agape in human flesh. Second, agape is oneness. All those who know agape are one with God and one with each other in heart and spirit. Literally speaking, agape means that God became one with us. In Christ He took on our low estate, becoming like us so that He could make us like Him. Literally speaking, AGAPE means that God became one with us. Third, agape is others-conscious, not self-conscious. Agape is constantly watching out first for the welfare of others, looking continually for opportunities to give. True love is not complete until it gives itself. Fourth, agape is self-initiating. Agape takes responsibility. It does not wait for others to act first. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Agape is proactive. It acts whether or not anyone else responds or recip- rocates. Jesus said, “Do to others as you would have them do to you” (Lk. 6:31). That’s just what agape does. Agape takes the initiative. Finally, agape is a choice. It is based not on emotion but on deliberate decision. The Bible plainly states that God loves us but it never tells us why He loves us. There is no “why.” God loves us because He is love and it is His nature to love. God loves us because He has chosen to do so. His love is without discrimination. Agape does not choose who to love, it chooses simply to love. It does not matter who the object is. Because it is a decision—a deliberate choice—agape is constant. Unlike emotion-based “love,” agape never changes. AGAPE does not choose WHO to love, it chooses simply to love.
Posted on: Mon, 15 Jul 2013 03:18:31 +0000
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