What is love? I have touched on this subject in the past, so lets start off with how the Bible describes love.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8New International Version (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
However, there are two terms used for love in the Bible Agape and Philia. Philia love is defined as brotherly love and typically is a close friendship with or affection for the other person. Agape love is probably a little harder to define, but I will try. This type of love is the perfect highest form of love. It is an unconditional love that transcends and persists regardless of circumstance. God loves all of us regardless of what we do because it is His nature.
I do not believe that it is possible for use to demonstrate Agape love 100%. I am sure that each of us has some part of it as we came from God to begin with, but due to the fall, we do not have the full potential to show Agape love on our own. We must seek help from the Lord to even come close to having the ability to have 100% Agape love.
Here is an example, how many of you would want to see a rapist/murderer in Heaven? I am sure there are some that will say yes, but there are two who I definitely know that answer is Yes, Jesus and God. To God it does not matter that this person committed rape and murder, it matters what happens afterwards. Sure God would have rather it did not happen, but remember that Satan has control of the Earth until Christ returns. Does this person fall down on their knees and admit that they have sinned and is willing to accept Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior? Are they willing to repent of their ways? They will still be punished by man for their actions. If you answered “No”, this person does not belong in Heaven, then you have judged them and you will be held to the same judgement later.
This is where God differs from us and why Agape love is so powerful. If we could learn to love people regardless of circumstances, we might just get along better. Remember, Christ told us to:
Matthew 5:43-48 New International Version (NIV)
Love for Enemies
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
This type of love is not brotherly love, but love your enemies regardless of what they do to you. It is very difficult for us to do this as most of us want to crush and destroy our enemies, I know I do. However, if we could turn that in to love, then how many souls would be saved and spend eternity with God versus Satan in the Lake of Fire.
If you are struggling with demonstrating Agape love, then I urge you to pray and ask for God’s help. The worst He can say is no, buy He may say later/wait or He even may say yes. If God says no, then I really urge you to sit down and think about why He he replied in this manner.