God is Agape!

Most of us have all heard or read something referring to the definition of love. Do we really know or understand what love is? Much of the scriptures use the word "charity", to describe love. The bible tells us in First John 4:8 that God is love! In this verse and elsewhere in the New Testament, the Greek word is actually "agape". We know that God's love is not like the natural human love that uses emotions to ground itself in hatred that can come overnight. The God kind of love or "agape", does not fail, nor does it change with the circumstances or situation.



What is this "agape", or "God kind of love"? The Message translation describes it this way: Love:



Never gives up!

Cares more for others than for self.

Doesn't want what it doesn't have.

Doesn't strut, doesn't have a swelled head,

Doesn't force itself on others,

Isn't always "me first,"

Doesn't fly off the handle, or keep score of the sins of others,

Doesn't revel when others grovel,

Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,

Puts up with anything,

Trusts God always,

Always looks for the best,

Never looks back,

But keeps going to the end.

(1 Corinthians 13:4-7). (Message).



You might say, "How can we ever have this God kind of love"? The good news is that we when we become born again, our spirits are re-created in the image of God. This "agape", or "God kind of love", is shed in our hearts or (spirit man), by the Holy Spirit. We already have the "God kind of love", operating on the inside of us. It is our choice to release this love by making a conscience decision to renew our minds by His words and allow the Holy Ghost to manifest His love through us.

When we operate in God’s love, rather than through our emotions, we are not only fulfilling the commandment of love but we are placing ourselves in a position to operate in faith. Faith works by LOVE! Faith works by the “agape”, or “God kind of love”. (Galatians 5:6).



By Susan White