New Reminders: Agape Love
by Ardith Hoff
“Agape” (pronounced ah-gape’) means open mouthed, as in a physical expression of wonder, awe, surprise, or astonishment. “Agape” (pronounced ah-gah-pay) love is a divine kind of love that is selfless, unconditional, and sacrificial. It is not based on feelings, attraction, or even family ties. It is the love that God has for us. It is never dependent on what we do or do not do. It cannot be earned or boughten, it can only be received and passed on to others.
Agape love is selfless! It puts others ahead of ourselves. It is giving without expecting anything in return. It is kind, thoughtful, and generous. It is present and available, ready to provide comfort and support. It is from God, but it is what God asks us to emulate to the best of our ability. It is the second of the two great commandments: to love God and love others as we love ourselves.
Agape love is sacrificial! When we love God and others, we will not hesitate to do what we can to make their lives easier, better and more secure. John 3:16 describes this aspect of agape love perfectly. “God so loved the world that He gave His only Son…” As does John 13:15 “Greater love has no man than that he lays down his life for his friends.”
Agape love is unconditional! It cannot be earned. It is not based on how good we are or how much we deserve it. God did not wait for us to be perfect before He loved us. He loved us first. He loved us even in our sin. He loved us before we even knew Him. He invites us to be like Him. He sent Jesus to teach us how to love, but it is up to us to accept His love, and out of gratitude, to do his will.
The world’s version of love is often based on conditions. If you meet the right expectations, you will be loved. If you fall short, that love might disappear. But agape love does not work that way. It is the love that sent Jesus to the cross for us, not because we deserve it, but because He chose to love us no matter what. Agape love is not based on emotions. It is not temporary. It does not fade when we fail. God’s love is constant, patient, and unshakable. Nothing we do can make Him love us more, and nothing we do can make Him love us less.
Corinthians 13:4-8 describes agape love as patient, kind, not envious, not boastful, not proud, not dishonoring, not self-seeking, not easily angered, and not keeping a record of wrongs. It rejoices in truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Other verses, like John 13:34-35, commands believers to love one another as Christ loved them. These verses illustrate that agape love is not merely an emotion, but a deliberate choice and action rooted in God's nature and revealed through Christ’s teachings and His sacrifice on the cross.
That same love is what we are called to live out. To love others selflessly. To love without conditions. To reflect the love that God has poured out on us by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. If you ever wonder whether you are truly loved, look at the cross. That is agape love in action. That is the love God has for us all, and it is the love that will never fail.