For You From The Word
By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. (John 13:35, NIV)
For You To Think About
Second in our series on love
As Kelly sat across from the pregnancy support volunteer, she couldn’t stop her tears. The woman across the table handed Kelly a tissue and covered Kelly’s hand. Then, the woman got up, walked around the table, leaned over, and hugged Kelly. “It will be okay,” the woman promised Kelly. “I care about you and I will help. You will not be alone.” Kelly felt loved and accepted.
Kelly was experiencing agape, one of four types of love referred to in scripture. Agape is selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love. (The other three types of love are philia, brotherly love; eros, sexual love; and storge, familial love.) Agape originates with God. In response to His agape love, people return a reciprocal love to God, and then to fellow human beings.
Agape love is unselfish. Agape is unique for humans in that it does not always run parallel to our natural feelings. To demonstrate agape is to make a choice to love. For instance, the volunteer had her own life struggles. She put aside those issues when serving Kelly.
Agape is sacrificial. Nor was the volunteer expecting any form of payment in serving Kelly. She chose to show Kelly love with no strings attached. Kelly was not in a position to do anything for the crisis pregnancy volunteer, other than to accept the woman’s love and support. When we love others with agape, we simply seek an opportunity to do good to them and work ill towards none.
God demonstrated His love for us by sending His Son to die for us. We show our love for God by loving Him back … by extending agape love to others.
For You To Pray
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your amazing love. Let me love you back. Bring into my life those who face an unplanned pregnancy. Allow me the privilege of loving them as you love us: unselfishly and sacrificially.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.