“For God so loved the world that He gave his only son” (John 3:16).
The word “loved” in John 3:16 comes from the Greek word “agape.” It is the highest of the four types of love found in Scripture. Agape-love is selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love.
Agape-love isn't born out of emotions, feelings, familiarity or attraction, but from the will and as a choice to give sacrificially even if not returned, earned or deserved.
It’s impossible to experience or give this love outside of a relationship with God. God fills us with His agape-love when we receive Jesus as Lord (Rom. 5:5; 10:9-10).
“We love Him because He first loved us” (1John 4:19). We were first loved so now we can agape-love. We receive God’s love and respond back with the love we have been given.
Love is to flow from God to us and out to others. It begins by receiving love from God and seeing ourselves through the lens of His love for us. We then can love even an “unlovable” neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:31).
The heart of loving oneself is connected to how we love others with a love flowing out of what we have received. The result impacts others with God’s love that flows through us. Love can even make good neighbors out of enemies.
The love that is to flow from us can be kept for oneself and turn selfish. “In the last days perilous times will come: for people will be lovers of self and utterly self-centered” (2Tim. 3:1-2).
“Lovers of self” could be translated as “affection and attention directed solely at self” or “lusters of self.” Our culture reflects the missing presence of agape-love.
To love others without loving yourself leads to burnout. To focus on yourself without loving others is selfishness. Both are unhealthy and counterfeit to what agape-love is. Both make “self” an idol and seek to find life apart from God. This futility of selfish love is sinful.
Love can be Christ-less. Without looking beyond ourselves to Jesus, there is very little to love. Without Jesus, all we do is take and at best love conditionally. We cannot agape-love without our eyes fixed on Him.
When our love is directed to God and others, we no longer serve self and are free from its tyranny.
God is love. Love compels. Pursue love. Love never fails!
Pastor Andy Spurlin serves at Restoration Christian Church in Park Rapids.
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July 31, 2021 at 06:02PM
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DEVOTIONAL GUIDE: God's love flows through us - Park Rapids Enterprise
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