AGAPE LOVE

The Greek term 'agape' is translated in the New Testament as the word 'love'. 

Unconditional and sacrificial ... it is not motivated by superficial appearance, emotional attraction, or sentimental relationship. 

1. It was used to express the Lord's nature ...  
God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 1 John 4:16

2. It inspired His plan of salvation ... 
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

3. It is imparted to His children ... 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness ... Galatians 5:22

'Agape' love does not come naturally. Because of our fallen nature, we are incapable of producing it. Only those who abide in Christ can 'love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind ... and love thy neighbor as thyself. (Matthew 22:37-39)

Avoid falling into the trap of seeing love the way non-Christians do. They contend that it is a result of having a powerful buoyant attraction toward someone ... causing you to 'fall' in love. That is a carnal 'impulse', not 'agape'. 

We are to love those the world deems 'unlovable' (even enemies). Agape is never based on whether one 'deserves' it ... otherwise, God's love could never have been extended to us. 

Scripture beautifully describes 'agape' ... 

Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Oh, that it might be evident in our every thought, word, and deed.