Christian biblical agape love

Christian biblical agape love, can it be found in the world we currently live? Would you agree there is a love deficit in the world we live in?  Look around the nations and you see anger, bitterness, strife, contention, distrust, and violence to name a few.  Hatred, division, and racism is on the increase.

Even getting a good morning from coworkers, a hi or a smile at the gym, a thank you for a job well done is in short supply.  Why do people seem so angry or disgruntled and don’t want to be bothered?  

Well, there is a love deficit in the world.  When we turn away from God and live our lives the way we want to live it, overtime a coldness or callousness develops.

Our problem is we’ve turned away from the one who’s essence is love. He can impart his perfect love within us.  We have no ability to do that under our own power. 

I know what you’re thinking.  How can you say I don’t have love?  I can’t speak to your particular situation but which category do you find yourself below? 

There are generally 3 types of love: (Eros, Lust, and Agape).

1. The ancient Greek god of love is associated with Eros love. The Romans identified Eros with Cupid. This type of love is physical love. Usually sexual in nature or erotic.  Many societies have associated sexual intimacy with the word love. What we find is a person can have a sexual relationship with another person and not love them at all.  It’s purely physical to satisfy the needs of their flesh.  Men usually have an easier time disassociating their emotions with the act. Women are usually more emotional.  A committed heart this can be extremely painful. Either male or female can gratify their sexual appetite without being in love.
2. Lust is defined as an intense sexual desire or appetite.  An uncontrolled or illicit sexual desire or appetite; lecherousness.  A passionate or overmastering desire or craving (ex. for power).  The bible warns us about lust.  Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempted he any man. ¹⁴ But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.¹⁵ Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death”.  James 113-15   Many of our young people today usually confuse lust with love. Sadly, many adults are now confusing the two.  Lust unchecked usually brings about a negative consequence. Unconditional love always brings a positive result.
3. The love of God or Christ for humankind defines agape love.  We need more of this Christian biblical Agape love demonstrated amoung one another. 1 Cor. 13:4-8 describes agape love.  See the difference as you read on below. 

God’s definition of Love (Agape)

1 Cor. 13:4-8 ( KJV)

Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

⁵ Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

⁶ Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

⁷ Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

⁸ Charity never faileth: 

1 Cor. 13:4-8 (Amplified Bible)

⁴ Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.

⁵ It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].

⁶ It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.

⁷ Love bears up under anything and everything that comes is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening]. ⁸ Love never fails

What becomes quite clear is God’s definition of love is quite different from our modern definition.  We need more Christian biblical agape love in our society. If we determine to put in practice God’s love in our everyday lives anger, bitterness, resentment, envy, and strife would disappear overnight. Petty arguments and misunderstanding would melt away.

God’s wisdom is far superior than ours. Let’w walk in God’s love as believers in Jesus Christ.

In the new Covenant Jesus gave us two commands. 

1. Love the Lord you God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself.  

These commands are not optional but required.  Let’s exercise God’s love and watch the positive impact it will have on our relationships and on the world around us.  As scripture says “love never fails”!

CALL TO ACTION:

The question, how do you stack up?  We all must look internally.  Ask the Lord to help us in this area if we are falling short as outlined above.  Ask God to impart his love within us. Under our own power, we can not achieve agape love. 

God needs to purify our hearts so we can walk in his love.  This takes humility. Confess this shortcoming. Repent before the Lord and ask him to give you the grace to walk in his love. God loves us and wants to see us reflect his nature.

None of us are perfect.  We are all work in progress.  God won’t force himself on us.  We must desire to change and seek him. 

If each of us began to walk in the love of God, what impact would that have in our personal relationship, marriage, work environment and on the broader world which we live?

Ponder and come back to this post several times and check your progress.  May God bless you as you pursue him with all your heart.  We give all glory and honor onto him!