Agape

Agape is a Greek word used in the Bible. It refers to God's unconditional love. Another way to put it is, "The love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation". It comes with the package when one receives the new birth or the spirit of God, holy spirit, within.

God is Holy and God is Spirit. He is the Giver. The gift, holy spirit, is what one receives when he or she confesses with their mouth Jesus as Lord and believes in their heart that God raised him from the dead.

Man, when he was born, was body and soul. Animals have body and soul. What sets men apart is the spirit of God. And with that spirit of God, we as children of God receive a new nature, God's nature. Much like how genetics work, children will inherit characteristics of their natural parents, we inherit from God, His nature. And His nature is love.

Other Greek words for love include Eros, or physical love. Phileo refers to brotherly love from where we get (you probably guessed it) Philadelphia. These two, although important, are conditional. Many songs written about love refer to one or both of these. Giving and receiving these forms of love depend upon two agreeing.

Agape love goes beyond that. God loves all of us despite what actions we take, good or bad. He loves the sinners just as much as He loves the saints. His loving us does not depend on circumstances or conditions. His love is constant. And as His children, we can do the same.

That is why as stated in the definition, it is the love of God in the renewed mind [sometimes we don't want to love someone because of any number of reasons] in manifestation [after we make up our mind, we just do it; we love in spite of people's words or actions towards us].

It is definitely taking the high road. It's much easier to coast down the low road. It takes work to rise above the world and travel the Lord's super highway. We rise above the circumstances life throws at us sometimes, we put the Word of God in our minds, we put that Word into action and live our lives with that agape love.

And people will notice that. Your life will impact their lives. And you will help them get closer to God. That is our destination, God's heart. He's just waiting for us to come to Him. He loves us. And His love has no end.

God bless you.

Agape,

Jack Enea

8/8/08