THE POWER OF LOVE
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:16-17.
God loved us not because we had something to offer Him, but rather because He had something to give us. We are all sinners and the Bible says the consequence of sin is death and eternal separation from God. There is nothing we can do to make us good enough. But God made a way for us by sending Jesus to help us. He willingly gave up His beloved Son to save us from eternal damnation; not because the world was lovable but because God is love and He took steps to show it. Jesus became a Sacrificial Lamb. Through the death of Jesus, the barrier between us and our relationship with God was torn in two. The crucifixion of Jesus not only brings us peace and reconciliation with God, but it also brings us into a personal, loving relationship with Him. God sent His Son to die in our place so that if we believe in Him, we won’t perish but will have eternal life.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35.
Love is a cycle! The same love that God gives to you; He wants you to offer to everyone that you come in contact with. The Holy Spirit pours out God’s love into our hearts, so we can pour it out into the hearts of others. We're to freely give of that which we have also freely received. We're to love the people God placed in our family, neighbourhood, church, workplace, and school. This is a command. A commandment is not optional; it is not a suggestion. We are to love one another. We must be quick to forgive and love as God loves us.
Love is often described in terms of feelings or emotions; it is not empty talk. True love takes action. Love is not what we feel, think, or say, but more of what we do. Love is the trademark of Christianity. God has gifted us with the capacity for love and to love, because we are created in His image. Love is the greatest power in the world! It rejoices in the truth and protects the weak. Love lends a helping hand to all those in need, misery or grief. It forgives and, when possible, offers reconciliation. Love does not believe in demanding but it feels joy in giving. It breaks down barriers! These relationship barriers often arise from our past experiences: the hurts, betrayals, wounds, rejections and disappointments that left us unable to give or receive love. Love is greater than any of the spiritual gifts and is even greater than faith and hope. 1 Corinthians 13:13. Anything we do, no matter how heroic needs to be motivated by love. Love puts others first. Love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.
The Greek language has many variations on the word love.
1. Eros
Eros, which is named after the Greek god of love and fertility. The Greek word erotas means ‘intimate love’. It is where we get the modern-day ‘erotic’. Eros is a passionate and intense form of love that arouses romantic and sexual feelings. This kind of love is based upon familiarity and direct interaction. It is transient, short-lived, and unless replaced by genuine love, results in disappointment, hatred, divorce, and murder. Eros is a strong fire that burns out quickly. Tread with caution though. Relationships built solely on the basis of Eros will fail.
2. Philia
This is a type of love that is felt among friends who’ve endured hard times together. It is the most general type of love; encompasses care, respect and compassion for others. Philia often involves the feelings of loyalty.
3. Storge
This is the affectionate love you have for your family. It is a natural form of affection that often flows between parents and children; and children for their parents. Storge is natural; it is present without coercion or force. Yet it can also become an obstacle, especially when family don’t agree with or support your purpose or goal.
4. Ludus
This is a playful form of love. Ludus is the feeling we have when we go through the early stages of falling in love with someone or something. Sadly it is a temporary condition.
5. Mania
This is a type of love that leads a partner into a type of insanity and obsessiveness. It occurs when there is an imbalance between Eros and Ludus. The person wants to love and be loved to find a sense of self-worth. Because of this, they can become jealous, possessive, unbalanced, and psychotic. And if the other partner fails to respond or reciprocate with the same kind of mania love, many problems will arise.
6. Pragma
Pragma is a love that has aged, matured and developed over time. It is a love that has transcended the casual. You can find pragma in married couples who have been together for a long time, or in friendships that have endured for decades. Pragma is the result of effort on both sides. It is love between people who have learned to make compromises, demonstrated patience and tolerance in other to make the relationship work.
7. Philautia
This is self love. You cannot share what you do not have. If you do not love yourself, you cannot love anyone else either. Philautia love involves loving yourself and embracing all the qualities you perceive as weakness.
8. Agape
"There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." John 15:13. This is the highest type of love. It is God's immeasurable and incomparable love for mankind. Agape is the divine love that comes from God. 1 John 4:19. It is perfect, caring, sacrificial, and pure. Agape is unconditional love. It is the purest form of love that is free from desires and expectations. Agape is to love others regardless of their shortcomings or flaws. Agape love is how God loves each and everyone of us and it is how He wants us to love one another.
"4 Love suffers long and is kind;
love does not envy; love does not parade itself,
is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely,
does not seek its own,
is not provoked, thinks no evil;
6 does not rejoice in iniquity,
but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails." 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
Agape love is what separate a believer from the world; through it, we portray the nature of God. You must love God and the people He has sent to be part of what you are doing. It is love that comes from a pure heart; there's no ulterior motives. Agape love is patient; it endures insults and bears with those who disagree with us. Agape love is kind; it seeks out what it can do for others regardless of what it can get in return. Agape love does not envy or boast; it does not lord over others or treat them as if they're less important. Agape love never knowingly or needlessly embarrasses or humiliates anyone; it is not self-seeking, or greedy. Agape love is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongdoing. Agape love is forgiving; it never takes delight in the suffering and misfortunes of others. Agape does not digs up the sins of the past; it protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres.
“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” 1 John 4:11.
True love feels your pain; it feels your joy. True love handles hardship by focusing on hope. It can tolerate pain or suffering without complaining or getting angry. True love is content and thankful of its blessings. It doesn’t envy other people. True love is not proud and boastful; it is humble enough to admit its own mistakes and strive to correct them. True love forgives; it does not bring up past wrongs in accusation or retaliation. True love does not return evil for evil; it doesn’t put you into shame or humiliation. True love is thoughtful and concerned of the welfare of others; it is not selfish, and inconsiderate. True love always does the right thing; it disciplines itself to avoid errors. True love is truthful; it doesn’t lie. True love protects you and wants you to be safe. It trusts. True love is optimistic; it sees a bright future with you. True love doesn’t easily give up; it is persistent. True love eliminates fear, anxieties and insecurities. It does good even to those who hate it. True love acts with humility. True love is faithful; it will not crumble under pressure. True love covers a multitude of sins; it seeks reconciliation. True love is tolerant; it endures with others who are difficult to deal with.
HOW TO WALK IN AGAPE LOVE:
1. Become a child of God; a child of Love.
The first step to walking in agape love is to be born again. God loved you so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ to die a painful death on the Cross. Call upon Him now. Allow Christ to reach out and touch you with the agape love that flows from the heart of God. Repent, ask for forgiveness and receive salvation in faith. Romans 10:13; 1 John 1:8-9; John 1:12. Ask God to baptize you with the Holy Spirit today. Luke 11:13. Receive His mercy. Place your trust in God and let Him teach you how to love as He has loved you.
2. Love God.
Love is first and foremost directed toward God and then toward others. Do you truly love God? Loving God brings us into His inner circle. To love God is to keep His commandments. John 15:10. You will be delighted to hear the Word of God and do them. Obeying God will be a thing of joy; you will always want to please Him. It will not be a struggle for you to obey God. To love God is to seek His kingdom and righteousness. To love God is to hate sins. If you love God, you will keep company of those who also love Him. If you love God you will be a giver. God is a giver and whosoever loves God will equally be a giver. To love God is to spend time in His presence daily. To love God is to pray and ask Him to fill you with a new understanding of agape love.
3. Forgive.
The ultimate example of love was displayed when Jesus hung on the Cross and cried out for those who were crucifying Him: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” Luke 23:34. When someone hurts our feelings or offends us, we have a choice to forgive. A lack of forgiveness leads to anger, disappointment, and bitterness. And bitterness becomes the root of not loving others. So, forgiveness is the soil that allows unconditional love to grow. We should be ready to forgive others, even when they don’t deserve or ask for our forgiveness. This is a demonstration of a love that keeps no record of wrongs. 1 Corinthians 13:5.
4. Accept others differences.
God made people to be different. So don't expect everyone will be exactly like you. Every time we meet someone, we are faced with a choice: love or judge them. "Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God." Romans 15:7. One of the ways we reflect God’s love and bring Him glory is by accepting others just as He accept us. We can accept them without approving of their sins. When we criticize or condemn people, we communicate rejection. But to truly love, you must avoid trying to change the person for your own purposes. You can't change anyone. Only God can really change people! Our job is to love and help them. You may not like the way they look, speak, act, think, or smell, but you must acknowledge that Christ loves them enough to die for them. He accepts everyone as they are. So should we.
5. Honour others.
To honour is to esteem someone as highly valuable. When we value others we're emulating the attitude of Christ. Philippians 2:3-5; Romans 12:10. Love not only inspires us to serve, it encourages and strengthens us to persevere in our service. Serving others is the overflow of God’s love in us. Treat them with dignity, respect and love, not based on what they can do for you, or how they treat you, but rather based on how God treated us. Bless them with your words; it can rekindle hope and confidence. Pray for them. Be ready to forgive. Cover their sin. Don’t gossip about them. Help if the need arises. Don’t rejoice when they fall. Treat everyone you come across daily the same way you want to be treated. You can be an agent of God's love in a hateful world.
Loving others will not always be rosy, but agape love means forgiving, accepting and honouring even those who are different and difficult. When God’s love flows in us, we can love others as He loves us. We can love unconditionally. We can love freely without expecting anything in return. And we don’t have to wait for February 14th of every year to express agape love; let others see it reflected through us daily. You can begin right now, not just on special occasions. If we fail we have missed what it means to be a true child of God.
"31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. 32 And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:31-32. God has commanded us to walk in agape love. Love is a decision; a decision to treat people the way Jesus would treat them. Love is a walk; its the lifestyle of the children of God. When you walk in agape love, you will attract the blessings of God. When you walk in agape love, you are patient with others. When you walk in agape love, you're identified with Jesus. When you walk in agape love, you are guaranteed of God’s protection. Walking in love will cause you to live a life of victory, success and abundance. When you walk in agape love, you are a carrier of God’s presence. Joy and peace are also benefits of walking in love. You experience joy when you show agape love to others. Those who walk in agape love receive answers to their prayers. God’s ears are always open to their prayers. When you walk in agape love, you’ll only see the best in others. If you walk in the agape love, you won’t steal, slander or malign anyone. When you hold a grudge or are bitter towards another person you are not truly showing agape love. Are you walking in agape love as a child of God? If not, whose child are you? The measure of our maturity is our love for God and for others.
If you are willing to start anew with Christ, then pray this prayer: Father, I believe You love me. The Bible says I can love You because You first loved me. I thank you for Your love. I come to You today, fill my heart in a greater way that You ever have before. Fill me with the Holy Spirit and love. Help me to grow in Your love and let me show Your love to people all around me. Thank You, Father, in Jesus name. Amen.
PRAYER POINTS
1. Father, I thank You for Your love which is poured out in my heart, in Jesus name.
2. O Lord, fill my heart to overflowing with Your love, so that everyone I come in contact with will receive Your love through my life, in Jesus name.
3. Clothe me, O Lord, with Your garment of love, in Jesus name.
4. I silence the activities of the spirit of selfishness and greed in my life, in Jesus name.
5. Every barrier to agape love in my life, crumble now, in Jesus name.
6. Holy Spirit, separate my life from every spirit of bitterness and unforgiveness, in Jesus name.
7. Father, fill me with Your presence so that I might walk in love as Christ loves me, in Jesus name.
8. Lord, help me to genuinely love people, in Jesus name.
9. Father, help me to be hospitable, kind, generous and loving towards others, in Jesus name.
10. Thank God for answering your prayers.
