RHAPSODY OF REALITIES
# AGAPE #SELF_GIVING_LOVE
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11TH
*PASTOR CHRIS
For God so loved the world, that he gave his
only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
him should not perish, but have everlasting life
(John 3:16).
There’re two Greek words you’d find most
frequently translated “love” in the New
Testament. The first is “Agape,” and the other is
“Phileo.” The latter stems from the Greek word
“Philadelphia,” which means “brotherly love.”
Brotherly love is that godly affection you have
for your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.
It’s when you learn to do things for them, and
are willing to help, receive, share with and
esteem others, being kind and affectionate
towards them. The Bible encourages it.
Hebrews 13:1 says, “Let brotherly love
continue.”
For example, if I were sitting on a chair, and
you came in, not having a seat, and I said to
you, “O, come over here and share mine with
me.” That's brotherly kindness. Perhaps it's
food and I decided to share it with you, that's
an expression of brotherly love. “Agape,” on the
other hand, is different; it’s self-giving love; a
sacrificial kind of giving. In this case, I don't
just “share the seat” with you, I offer it to you
to sit on. I don’t just share the food with you, I
give it all to you. That’s “agape,” the love of
Christ.
“Agape” is the love that’s been shed abroad in
our hearts by the Holy Spirit; this means you
can truly love everyone selflessly. Ephesians 5:2
says, “...Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved
us, and hath given himself for us an offering
and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling
savour.” The love being referred to here is
“agape”; the same self-giving love that God
exhibited towards a world of sinners, even
though they didn’t deserve it. You’re required
to love others the same way, if you must be
filled with all the fullness of God.
Someone might say, “Well, that sounds too
difficult!” Not when you’re born again and have
the Holy Spirit. Love (agape) is a product of
your recreated human spirit. You were born to
love. Stir up the God-nature of love in you
continually.
PRAYER:
Dear Father, thank you for your unconditional,
self-giving love that you’ve poured into my
heart by your Spirit. I’m compelled by the love
of Christ to bless and uplift those I meet today,
in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
FURTHER_STUDY:
John 3:16 For God so loved the
world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish,
but have everlasting life. ;
Romans 5:6-8 For when we were yet without
strength, in due time Christ died for the
ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man
will one die: yet peradventure for a good man
some would even dare to die. 8 But God
commendeth his love toward us, in that, while
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
DAILY_SCRIPTURE_READING
1-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Colossians 4:2-18, Isaiah 52-53
2-Year Bible Reading Plan:
Hebrews 4:1-16, Ezekiel 4
# SUPERNATURAL_HELP_COMETH
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