The word “love” is the most explicitly used, extremely misused and abused word, and at the same time, the least demonstrated action word. Numerous writers have attempted to define love, and many continue to amend and amplify the significance of this most desirable concept. It is unfulfilling to constrain love to its hypothetical element. Instead, we may entertain the concept that love is a verb, an action expression, not just a static trait.
There are many unanswered questions about love. Is love a deliberate choice of commitment or a feeling of connection? Why do we “fall in love” but do not rise? Is it the heart or the brain that loves? Does love encompass a mental or emotional state? Love is still the paragon of virtues, powerful and unyielding, the means to many ends, and surely the need of all today.
Despite love being a complicated concept, it is sad to see how we exist in a cold society where, instead of thriving, this ideal is more fleeting and fading. No wonder a person’s core character is measured by love, which is the only healing response to a world steeped in self-gratification. The virtue of a true Christian is assessed by the fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, and temperance.” (Galatians 5:22, 23 KJV)
Ancient Greek philosophy categorized love into seven aspects, a perfect number: Eros - romantic and passionate love (of the body), Philia - affectionate and friendly love, Storge - unconditional and familial love, Agape - selfless and universal love, Ludus - playful and flirtatious love, Pragma - committed and long-lasting love, Philautia - self-love. The greatest and purest among these is the matchless type of Agape love. Agape (selfless love) is the highest level of love to offer. It is given without any expectations of receiving in return. Offering Agape love is a decision to spread love in any circumstances, including destructive situations. This is priceless love that cannot be measured or counted.
Agape Love
The Bible describes the source of this transcendent Agape love as coming from the Father. The Father’s love so envelops us that it completely changes our lives. His love keeps us alive as we abide in Him. There is no one else throughout the eons of time and space in the universe, who ever demonstrated and revealed such an ultimate level of love. There could be no greater evidence of His deep love than that He sacrificed a part of Himself, His only-begotten Son Jesus, not just to suffering and shame, but even to death. The cup of suffering that Jesus experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane continues to be beyond human comprehension today. No intelligence can truly fathom the agony, sorrow, anguish, and sacrifice endured by Jesus on the cross.
Although the cross symbolizes victory over sin, it also represents our refusal and rejection of our dear Saviour, hanging in sinless innocence, serenity, and utter benevolence. The amazing event marked the highest expression of love, and God’s purpose to redeem us from the snares of sin and destruction. What if God were not love? Then there would have been no cross. Then there would be no life, only eternal demise!
Love is such a powerful component that Solomon, the wisest man on Earth, said, ”Love is as strong as death” (Song of Solomon 8:6). Jesus said, “Greater love hath no man than this, than a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13 KJV). This was done exactly by our self-sacrificing God. God’s love is so unconditional that it does not change because of what we do or do not do. His love is so deep that it goes farther than the farthest, and higher than the highest that one could ever dream! God’s love remains timeless, as it surpasses the test of time and lasts forever throughout all ages and eternity. God’s love is real but not forceful. Love is the agent which God uses to expel sin from our lives. His love unfolds and reveals to us every single day His grace, forgiveness, and acceptance, no matter how wretched we are.
Call to Action
How fortunate we are to be called the “children of God” (1 John 3:1). Thank God for His unfailing love toward us. Brothers and sisters, we are called to action, to “ ‘love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and ‘your neighbor as yourself’ ” (Luke 10:27). This love is to be also extended even to our enemies (see Matthew 5:4). May God help us to be ambassadors of His great LOVE.
This article is the first in a series of articles on the fruits of the Spirit. We plan to publish a new one every 1-2 months. The next fruit of the Spirit = JOY.
Unless noted otherwise, scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
