Agape: September 24, 2013

TODAY’S WORD FOR TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2013.

AGAPE

DEFINITION: 

Love; as of God for humankind or of humankind for God.

SCRIPTURE:

Whoever does not love does not know God, because GOD IS LOVE. This is how God showed His love among us; He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. John 4:8-10

Jesus said: You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. Matthew 22: 37-38

Love must be sincere, be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:9-10

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

AGAPE is true and genuine love. AGAPE love is not sexual love as between a man and a woman. AGAPE is a Greek word used by Christians to express the unconditional love of God. Love is the very nature of God. God’s love is selfless and unconditional. The ultimate expression of AGAPE LOVE is God giving His only son to die on the cross for our sins. This kind of love comes to us by God through His Son Jesus Christ. We have AGAPE love in our hearts as a result of knowing that God loves us with no strings attached and that His love for us never changes. We show our love for God by the commitment of our heart, soul and mind to our Lord. This is TRUE AND GENUINE LOVE!

How many times in life do we find ourselves in a position of just needing someone to love us? This is when we need AGAPE love because we need the caring and comforting love that only the Lord can give. Remember, He gave His life for you. What greater love is there then this?

AGAPE love means that God first loved us and we are to love God first and then to love others. It is the love from Christ that compels us to act, on Christ's behalf to share Christ's love to someone (II Corinthians 5:14). It is a love that never fails (I Corinthians 13:8). It is a love that made Jesus say to Peter in John 21:17, "If you love me, feed my sheep." AGAPE love is not just saying we love the Lord. AGAPE love is being willing to serve the Lord and obey His commandments. In Romans 12:9-10 (above verse), Paul defines AGAPE love as being sincere and being devoted to one another in brotherly love. Sincere love is not selfish. When we have AGAPE love we will honor others above ourselves. AGAPE love motivates us to action.

This AGAPE love can only be felt by one that has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. If you want to experience AGAPE love then make that decision today.

LEARNING: 

Our memory verse for this week is found in Psalm 27:5.

For in the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; In the secret place of His tent he will hide me; he will lift me up on a rock.

PRAYER:

Dear Lord, help us as a family today to experience the AGAPE love that only You can give. We commit our hearts, our souls and our minds to You today. Give us today a broken heart that has a concern for those that are hurting. Give us a soul today that loves You with all we have and give us a mind today that is dedicated to learn more about You and Your love for us and for a world.