The God-kind of love is the most powerful force in existence. It’s even more powerful than any force known in the physical realm.
First John 4:8 tells us that God is love. This love has been imitated, misunderstood, and misrepresented. Yet God’s love is the most powerful and important part of every true Christian’s life. In fact, it’s so important that if we are not growing in the God-kind of love, we are not really growing at all.
On the other hand, if we have made a life of love our goal, it makes every other aspect of life meaningful. Life becomes filled with the hope and the enjoyment God has always intended.
The God-kind of love touches every level of human existence: spirit, soul, and body. It is the most important ingredient in making our faith, prayer, or any other ac tivity fulfilling—whether it’s a natural or spiritual interest.
This kind of love is the foundation for the covenant God made with every Christian. The God-kind of love is beyond anything the natural mind could ever think or create. This new kind of love is born and developed in the recreated human spirit. This love is evidence that Jesus is alive in us.
Knowledge alone has many limitations. Feelings and reasoning are undependable. But there are no limits in God’s totally reliable love. First Corinthians 8:1 says:
The word agape is the Greek word for the God-kind of love. Agape is God in action—His love demonstrated through the ones He loves, toward those who need His love.
Agape love denotes an overwhelming generosity and undefeatable goodwill that always seeks the highest good of the other person — no matter what he does. It is a self-giving love that gives freely without asking anything in return. It is a love based on choice and decision rather than feeling and emotion. Agape describes the unconditional love of God for every individual.
This God-kind of love acts quite different from natural, human love. For instance, to feel loved, some people tend to be performance-oriented. Others think they must do something to deserve love. That kind of love is purely human or natural love.
People who love with this natural type of love are governed by their emotions. Their love for others continually changes. Natural love is filled with conditions. This love says: “If you do something for me or give me the right thing, then I will continue to love you, otherwise you won’t get my love.”
In contrast, when we choose to release God’s love, then we act based on the decision we have made. It doesn’t matter whether anyone responds or not, we have decided to be a person of love.
  |
 |
How's your love life?The most powerful force in existence is the God-kind of love. It is more powerful than anything known in both this realm and in the realm of the spirit. It is one of the greatest proofs that Jesus is alive in you. If you cannot say you exhibit this kind of attitude in your life then re-examine your commitment to talk in love. There are two kinds of love: "agape" love and "phileo" love (which is friendly or brotherly love). There is a sharp contrast between the two. One is born of the Spirit; the other is born of emotions. Where natural phileo love has its limits, agape is unlimited love. God's love born in you will stand strong even when your emotions have every reason to quit loving. |
Comments