Author	Thread: What is Agape Love?
Admin	What is Agape Love? Posted : 7 Feb, 2014 06:39 AM Re~Post from Posted : 4 Jun, 2012 09:23 AM What is Agape Love? Unconditional Love There was a song that came out a few years ago that had the lyrics in it: "What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It's the only thing that there's just too little of." The universal need of all men, women and children is for unconditional love. There is another, more recent song that asks the question: "Who will love me for me? Not for what I have done, or what I will become." This kind of love that doesn't depend on our performance, but is a choice by the lover to care for us no matter what, is the idea behind the biblical word agape (ah-ga-pay). This is the main word used in the New Testament for love. I. Four Greek Words for Love The Ancient Greeks used four words for love. They each have a different meaning. These words include: 1. Philia- ( Fill-ee-uh) This means close friendship or brotherly love. The word and other forms of it are found throughout the New Testament. Christians are frequently asked to love fellow Christians in this way. For example Paul says in Romans 12:10 "Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor." 2. Storge- (Stor-gay) Storge is family love, like the bond among mothers, fathers, sisters and brothers. An example of this is the natural love and affection of a parent for their child. Although the word doesn't appear in the Bible, many examples of family love are found in Scripture. 3. Eros- (E-ros) This is the word for the sexual, physical love between two people. Once again, the word doesn't appear in Scripture, but the concept certainly does. The Old Testament book Song of Solomon is a good example. The Bible reserves sexual love solely for the husband and wife in marriage. 4. Agape- (ah-ga-pay) Agape is a selfless, sacrificial love. It is the highest of the four loves. This word and variations of it are found throughout the New Testament. This is the type of love that comes from God. II. God is Agape Love The Bible says that agape is of God, and from God because His very nature is love itself. I John 4:8 affirms this fact when it says: "He that does not love, does not know God for God is love." This means that everything that the Lord does flows from His love. However, it is not the sappy sentimental kind. He loves because it is the very expression of His being. He loves the unloveable and undeserving. We did absolutely nothing to merit God's favor. And, being sinners, we could never do anything that could ever cause Him to love us. God's agape love was shown best when He sent His only Son to earth to die on the cross for our sins. Ephesians 2:1 says that we were dead in trespasses and sins. Paul tells us in Romans 5:8 that "God demonsrated his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." That is one of the characteristics of this type of love. It is always demonstrated in some way. And it is sacrificial. It puts the needs of the one loved ahead of our own needs or desires. Also, it is not based upon feelings. Rather it is an act of the will, or a joyful resolve to act on behalf of the object of our love. III. God's Children and Agape Love The agape love that we are talking about here does not come naturally to humans. Rather it must come from its source, God Himself. Our natural sinful tendency is to put ourselves our needs and desires ahead of everything and everyone else. But when God enters our lives, He gives us a new nature, one capable of this kind of selflessness. Jesus now commands us who know Him: "As I have loved you, you should also love one another" (John 13:34). And the Lord even goes so far as to say that the way that the world will know that we are His disciples, is that we show agape love for one another (John 13:34,35). The Apostle John goes even farther by telling us that if we say that we love God and yet hate our brother, we are a liar (I John 4:20). Love is part of the Fruit of the Spirit of God who indwells every believer (Galatians 5:22). As He begins to change us, conforming us to the image of Jesus Christ, others should be able to see us becoming more and more loving. If not, then they can rightfully question whether or not we have ever truly been saved. Conclusion If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, the only way that you will ever be able to give true agape love, is if you surrender your life to Him in faith. For those of us who claim the name of Christ, it is imperative that we ask Him to help us to demonstrate more and more love in our lives, both for Him, and for those whom He has created. And if we ask for it, He will surely give us this petition, because it is what He desires of us in the first place. Agape love is truly something that the world knows nothing about. However, at the same time, it is what it so desperately needs. May we thank God every day that He has demonstrated that selfless sacrifice to us on the Cross of Calvary so that we can have eternal life. And because of that thankfulness, let us go out and show God's love to those He puts in our path every day. Sourced ~ godtalk.hubpages.com X <>< O Post Reply
View Profile History	What is Agape Love? Posted : 7 Feb, 2014 08:06 PM Hi Jude: Before i write about 'AGAPE',i would ask where i might find this written in the Word of GOD. If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, the only way that you will ever be able to give true agape love, is if you surrender your life to Him in faith. I find the problem with 'christianity' is that they 'accept' Yeshua,and want to try giving their life to Hmi, in exchange for eternal life. I cannot not find this within even one sentence of the Word of YHWH,yet this is what 'christianity' teaches people that they need to be doing this in order to be saved from the wrath of GOD Almighty. This is a far cry from the Gospel of Yeshua Ha Meschiach. I have believed to 'RECEIVE' Messiah and He 'GIVES' eternal life as a FREE GIFT. Agape Agape love sees the need of another and will do something about meeting the need at hand. Agape love does not look for nor needs or asks any type of recompense. Agape love does not originate from within fallen man,as fallen man places conditions upon almost everything he or she does. Agape love will not withhold what would be needed to meeting the needs of others. Without the Holy Spirit the believers is completely powerless to AGAPE' anyone. In the following Scriptures a need is fulfilled without any type of recompense being asked for,this is AGAPE'. Mat 5:43 You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor" and hate your enemy; Lev. 19:18 Mat 5:44 but I say to you, Love your enemies; bless those cursing you, do well to those hating you; and pray for those abusing and persecuting you, Mat 5:45 so that you may become sons of your Father in Heaven. Because He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and unjust. Mat 5:46 For if you love those loving you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax-collectors do the same? Luk 7:47 For this reason I say to you, Her many sins are remitted, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, he loves little. John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that everyone believing into Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For one i do not find much if any AGAPE' within christianity. Maybe the people have been lead away from being disciples / learners of Messiah. Instead of learning to give without looking for anything in return a lot are looking for the 100% return on their investment. Messiah said 'Freely you have been given,FREELY give'. I could be wrong,i was wrong a lot today. Shalom Post Reply
View Profile History	What is Agape Love? Posted : 7 Feb, 2014 11:44 PM "Hi Jude: Before i write about 'AGAPE',i would ask where i might find this written in the Word of GOD. If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, the only way that you will ever be able to give true agape love, is if you surrender your life to Him in faith."...? This is absurd. If the love is "unconditional", which is the love that God the Father hath bestowed upon us from the foundation of the world, then there is no condition "to accept Him", which if a man does not, He will not love them unconditionally. If it is unconditional, then there is no conditions attached to it. Wherever did you learn to think like this..? Post Reply
View Profile History	What is Agape Love? Posted : 9 Feb, 2014 02:26 PM :waving: Hi George Hi EZ...this is a Article a repost...I am courious what others think about it...George has stated this is the problem with Christianity and EZ has stated why would ( I or anyone else ) think like this...any one else have anything to share... Question...for the gents Geroge and EZ here... Did you find the true meaning of Agape Love when you were living in the Sinful ways of the world drinking and partying ???...Or did you find the True Agape Love after you cleaned up ???...I'm just courious... X <>< O Post Reply
View Profile History	What is Agape Love? Posted : 10 Feb, 2014 03:13 AM Hi Jude: Agape',now where did i find Agape',hmmmmmmm let me think. Thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinkinig,Thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinkinig,Thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinkinig,Thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinkinig,Thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinkinig,Thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinkinig,Thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinkinig,Thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinking,thinkinig, Oh now i remember,i did not find Agape' love;Agape' love found me. I was lost,hiding under a rock,and the Holy Spirit of Yeshua found me,drunk,full of hatred,anger,bitter,vengeful,and a i hated GOD Almighty,along with every single person in this life. No,a so called christian did not share the Gospel with me,the Holy Spirit dragged me,as i had my heels dug in deep,but the Grace, Mercy,Love,and Forgiveness of GOD Almighty prevailed and He gave to me FAITH in His Son Yeshua to save me from the WRATH of GOD Almighty against my unbelief. Where do i find Agape' today,the same place Agape' love had been revealed to me, in Yeshua !!!!!!!! Agape' and Shalom Post Reply
View Profile History	What is Agape Love? Posted : 10 Feb, 2014 05:44 PM "Hi Jude: Before i write about 'AGAPE',i would ask where i might find this written in the Word of GOD. If you have never accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, the only way that you will ever be able to give true agape love, is if you surrender your life to Him in faith."...? This is absurd. Actualy it is the truth, it would be absurd to say one knows Jesus, and has rejected this simple truth. If the love is "unconditional", which is the love that God the Father hath bestowed upon us from the foundation of the world, then there is no condition "to accept Him", which if a man does not, He will not love them unconditionally. Faith and faith alone If it is unconditional, then there is no conditions attached to it. Faith alone. Wherever did you learn to think like this..? The word of God his name is Jesus. Post Reply
View Profile History	What is Agape Love? Posted : 10 Feb, 2014 06:24 PM No reason to get all angry about it George...:laugh:...You shared ~ No,a so called christian did not share the Gospel with me... *** Wow you sure have some ill feelings towards folks that you call so called Christians...Dont know why...Anywho...I feel really sorry for folks that get all up in the air about "So Called Christians"...I've never met a "True Christian" that would make me dislike the Mass of them...however I have met some real Phonys that give the name and title of "Christian"...well...a bad name...xo Post Reply
View Profile History	What is Agape Love? Posted : 11 Feb, 2014 03:10 AM Hey Jude: I believe your perception of my reply is not right,where did you come up with that i was angry,I was telling truth,and you thought it was anger. Sorry to see that you cannot understand when a person is speaking truth. Shalom Post Reply
View Profile History	What is Agape Love? Posted : 11 Feb, 2014 06:15 PM I understand Truth very well George...you shared your testimony and I appreciate it every time you do...you also shared ~ "No,a so called christian did not share the Gospel with me"...Im so sadden to hear that you call some folks "So Called Christians"...this is the Anger from you I am speaking of and it can not be denied...Its really sad that you've had a bad expierance with some folks that use the Title Christian that obviously weren't...I've met plenty of Phonies in my journys also...Whats most important is Yahshuas command to us All...We are all Commisioned to Go and Preach the Gospel !!! Not many folks have had whats called a Pauline expierance as you have without Hearing the True Gospel Preached...We just don't hear about those kinds of conversions because most ( Not saying yours ) are not true conversions because they are based on emotions and not reality...xo Post Reply
View Profile History	What is Agape Love? Posted : 12 Feb, 2014 04:04 PM Hi Jude: I would like to again say,i wrote without anger,and i told a little of my life before Messiah,again without anger. Please do not try putting words or emotions upon me which i did not have while writing. Also,i say 'so called christians' as i do not read in Scriptures where the Disciples called themselves chrisitians; others called them christians,they called themselves Saints,of the Way,Brethren Disciples of Yeshua,but not christians. I also am not a christian,but a believer a learner in Messiah Yeshua. I do believe you will be having a Blessed rest of this week. Chesed Post Reply
DontHitThatMark View Profile History	What is Agape Love? Posted : 13 Feb, 2014 10:08 AM I think God uses different methods to bring people to him. He pulls you from whatever holes we've fallen into, and some are deeper than others. In fact, I would say that throughout human history, God has been peeling away the onion of human thought and deception from His truth, which is only to be fully revealed when He comes again and we see Him face to face in all His glory. I did not need God to pull me from underneath a rock. I was not angry or drunk. I was raised by very devout and godly parents who taught me where I should go and what I should do by their own example. That does not mean I was not a sinner, and it does not mean God loved me more or less than anyone else. God loves me the same as the thief on the cross, and the same as Saul before he was Paul, and the same as Cain, the same as Abel. God's love is not like our love however, and the fact that He loves us does not spare us from His wrath. And think about it. Why is God angry with certain people to the point of punishing them? Because the ones that He loves are hurting the others that He loves, and justice must be done. We must die for the pain and discord we cause, and we ALL have sinned. But wait! God loved everyone so much, that even while we were still enemies to God, He sent His only Son to die and give us life and hope. That is much more beautiful and glorious and logical than the concept that God only likes a few people. :peace::peace: Post Reply