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“Beloved, let us love one another:
for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He
that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the
love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the
world, that we might live through him.”--1 John 4: 7-9 (KJV)
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The last article here looked
at some characteristics of love. It’s humble, yet powerful. This emotion is anything but simple.
Today's writing
will go further to explore the highest kind of love: agape. This is the Greek
word for the highest kind of love: a selfless charity for everyone. The King
James Version of the Bible translates this word as “charity”, such as in 1
Corinthians 13.
“The
translation of the word agape is love in the verb – form: it is the love
demonstrated by your behavior towards another person.”
“…the
highest form of love. It is the broad, or ‘universal,’ form of love that
includes things like ‘love of all people’ and ‘love of the Earth.’”
“Within
Christianity, agape is considered the Love of God or Christ.”
- Includes everyone
- Absolute/unconditional—without boundaries, labels, or limitation
- Nonjudgmental--sees beyond the outer surface and accepts the recipient for whom he/she is, regardless of their flaws, shortcomings or faults.
- Self-sacrificing--giving and expecting nothing in return
- Committed and chosen
- Compassionate—concerned for the good of humanity
Altruism is an appropriate synonym for agape.
They both refer to the highest level of love that anyone can achieve in life.
Please see the definitions below:
Altruism is the
principle or practice of unselfish concern for or devotion to the welfare of
others
Altruism is
when we act to promote someone else’s welfare, even at a risk or cost to
ourselves.
“At the
basic social level, agape love can be manifested in many ways. But in most
occasions, a complete compassion for good, for the genuine good of humanity
should be taken into consideration.”
“That is
agape love at work. A genuine interest in maintaining the balance of society,
by giving out what you have, to those who don’t have is agape love at its best
manifestation.”
My Conclusion
“‘God is
love.’ Perhaps we should start with John 3:16, where God gave his son, Jesus,
for the world to be saved from the dungeons of sin.”
“Agape love
is not about emotions and feelings. It
is love at work, which is seen more in
what we do, than what we feel. The type of love that God manifests transcends
the bias of human tendencies. See, God loves even those we cannot love, and he
loves genuinely without restrictions. This is the ultimate and purest form of
love.” (Italics mine)
“For the
world to be a better, we should all aspire to live as brothers and sisters,
with care for each other’s needs. This is the premise upon which Agape love is
hinged. Love is not just about romance, it is love in action. As God so loved the world, so should we love each
other!”
Do you live in love?
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