Is the Meaning of Love Greek to You?

December 29, 2021 Cyndi

Part 4 – Ahh… Agape/ao/tos!

Take a breath, sisters! Ahh… Our journey has led us here to the final and highest version of Greek love that we’re studying: agape.

I’ve been waiting for this moment because the Scripture paints agape in an especially intricate way with

so much depth and meaning. I’m delighted you’re here to explore this with me.

As I mentioned in the previous article: “Agape is not a love meant to be above God, but a love to mirror God’s love.”

There is nothing more powerful, more real, more consistent, than God’s deep and sacrificial love for us. And, He graciously shows us what it looks like in His Word, so we can emulate it in daily life.

Since this topic is extensive and encompasses a massive amount of Scripture and can spark countless study topics, we’ll break it down in to manageable bite-sized morsels for you to relate to your life today! I encourage you to look up each passage for context and meaning.

What are some verses that support God’s sacrificial love toward us?
- Romans 5:8
- 1 John 4:7-5:3 (there’s an amazing abundance of “love” in these passages!)
- John 3:16
- 2 Timothy 1:7

These passages strikingly describe our state and God’s redemption. We were sinners, YET. We loved darkness YET. We deserved death YET. Yet…we serve a holy God who sacrificed for His sinful people. We aren’t God and we stumble in loving people in a selfless way. YET, we are shown who to love and how to love by the Creator of love itself. Check out these points:

Who are we to love unconditionally with agape love?
- God (Matt. 5:43-46 and other countless verses)
- Others (Col. 2:2, Phil. 2:2, Eph. 4:2, 15-16, 1 Peter 4:8, 1 John 3: 11, 23)
- Enemies! (Matt. 43:46 and others)
What are we NOT to agape love?
- The world (1 John 2:15)
- Darkness (John 3:19)
- Money/idols (Matt. 6:24 and others)
- Falsehood (2 Thess. 2:10)

Some of those points above are hard to follow through with, aren’t they? Some people are downright hard to love! Sometimes our selfish desires get in the way or we love the world above God with how we spend our time and life. I’m right there with you, friend. Loving in a manner that is consistent in intended agape is a daily battle! It takes discipline and constant reminding to continuously act in love.

“My little children, let us not love (agape) in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18. Now that’s a direct call to action isn’t it? But…how do we do that?

How are we to agape love?

Purpose for the Lord to be our first love (Rev. 2:4)
Abide in it (John 15:9)
Be rooted/grounded in it (Eph. 3:17)
Produce its fruit (Gal. 5:22)
Be genuine in it (Romans 12:9). As a side note, I love that in my copy of the Word of God that the heading of this section is “Marks of a True Christian.” Have you ever heard the song, “They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love?” It’s true!
Do everything in it! Walk in it! (1 Cor. 16:14, Eph. 5:2, 2 John 1:6)

The above verses are full of truths for Godly living. They’re full of relevant knowledge to us today! Agape love itself surpasses all knowledge (Eph. 3:19 & 1 Cor. 8:1), so when we pair this type of love with knowledge, it helps us to “determine what is essential, and so be pure and without blame on the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” Phil. 1:9. WOW! What a beautiful pairing.

God knows agape love comes at a cost. That’s why He won’t leave us empty when we show it.

What are some of the results and blessings of living in agape love?
- We’ll receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, we’ll be loved by God, and Jesus will reveal Himself to us (John 14:15-24)
- God will remember the love you display for His cause (Hebrews 6:10)
- We’ll receive the crown of life (James 1:12)
- Sin is forgiven (Luke 7:47)

On the flip side, what happens when there’s a lack of agape love? In Matt. 24:12, Jesus warns that the End Times will be marked (in one of many ways) by others’ agape love growing cold. In 2 Timothy 3:1-7, it not only suggests love growing cold, but pure and good love to be replaced by the love of self, which we discussed in Part 3, “The Many Faces of “Phil.”

That’s why it’s imperative, sisters, to love like there’s no tomorrow. We don’t know when the Lord will call us or our loved ones home to Glory or when he will sound that trumpet.

So, may we sincerely love God and others today (Eph. 6:24). May we pursue the pure love of Christ now (2 Tim. 2:22, 1 Cor. 14:1a). Why? Because we know that agape loving God means that we are rightly keeping His Word (John 14:15, 21; John 15:10; 1 John 5:2-3) and it means we are fulfilling our call to follow Him (John 21:15-19).

Take a moment to read that passage from John 21. It’s a conversation between Peter and Jesus. To paraphrase, Jesus keeps asking Peter if he agape loves Him, but Peter responds in phileo love! God wants our love beyond affectionate friendship. God is asking us today if we agape love Him. If we do, the result is emulating His sacrificial love for God and for others, my friend.

Need help seeing what loving agape-style looks like? Read the entirety of the “Love Chapter” (also known as 1 Corinthians 13) through the lens of sacrificial agape love. The familiar passage is read at many weddings, but oftentimes the intense meaning of this agape love is glossed over or possibly even misinterpreted with storge, eros, or phileo! May we be women, wives, mothers, aunts, sisters, grandmothers, and friends who love sacrificially and unconditionally.

This time together seemed much too short. With everything we’ve studied, I trust you’ve gained insight into God’s intended forms of love throughout Scripture. This is my prayer for you, friend, as we continue on this journey of life together: “Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the (agape) love of God and into the patience of Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 3:5. Thank you for joining me. God bless and may His infinite love enfold you forever as you seek to love Him and others.