Dear Friends,
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)
The word Love in this Scripture is a translation of the Greek word “agape,” which is a selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love like we see in Jesus love for the Father, for Jesus love for his followers, in the love of one who sacrifices his life for a friend, and in God’s love for us in sending his Son.
Jesus knew that the hour had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. John 13:1b
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
John 15:13
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
The Scriptures tell us a lot about agape love, but I’m not sure I know what this level of love feels like. Like many Christians, my love for God and for my neighbor seems closer to the level of love described by the Greek word phileō: — to be fond of, to delight in, to cherish — a strong love, but short of an agape love. And I want more.
Even Simon Peter was cautious not to profess agape love when Jesus confronted him following the resurrection.
When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love (agape) me more than these?”
“Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love (phileō) you.”
Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love (phileō) me?”
He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love (phileō) you.”
Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”
The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love (phileō) me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love (phileō) me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love (phileō) you.” John 21:15-17
Although Peter initially avoided expressing an agape love for Christ, in his Epistles he repeatedly expressed the need for agape love in relationships with God and with fellow believers. He learned a higher love.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 1 Peter 1:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. 2 Peter 1:4-7
Jesus put extreme emphasis on agape love when he was asked which was “The Greatest Commandment.” Jesus replied: “‘Love (agape) the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love (agape) your neighbor as yourself.””
Matthew 22:37-39
If you, like I, want to feel the power of a higher love:
Ask
God
Always
Praying
Expectantly
Blessings,
Your Friends in Christ
Because He Loves Us Press 