The Agape Way Its True Source!

There is nothing more attractive to a lost person than someone who LOVES unconditionally, enJOYs lifes adversities, and exhibits PEACE in the face of opposition.

Today and every day, I am challenged to live the way of Agape. This has become my motto for 2010. What does living the agape way mean? The Greek word agape is often translated love in the New Testament. The essence of agape love is a self-sacrifice without expectation of reciprocation. Agape love is uniquely distinguished by its supernatural nature and its character.

Agape is a love which is of and from God, Whose very nature is Love. The Apostle John declares this in 1 John 4:8, God is love. God does not merely love; He is Love. People argue that our God is also a God of judement and wrath and truth. And all that is truth. But God is NOT any of that. He is a God OF those things, but He IS (present tense indicative) LOVE! Even when He is exercising wrath, judgment or chastening He is doing it IN love, because He is Love. God loves because that is His nature and the expression of His being. He loves the unlovable and the unlovelyus! He does not bestow his love on us because we deserve to be loved, but because it is His nature to do so, and He must be true to His nature and character. Gods love is displayed most clearly at the cross, when He showed His love for us even though we were yet sinners. We are undeserving, but He freely gave His love (His Son). He paid the ultimate sacrifice for the lost. He did not love with conditions placed on His love. It was freely given for all.

This type of love does not come naturally to mankind. Because of our fallen nature, we are incapable of producing such a love. If we are to love as God loves, that lovethat agapecan only come from its true Source. This is the the love of God [which] is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us (). It is clear, only God can generate within us the kind of self-sacrificing love proving that we are His children. Because of Gods love toward us, we are now able to love one another; and that love will be a draw for the lost that will then stand in awe of Him.

Today and every day, I am challenged with the diversities of adversities. Adversity comes in the form of affliction intended to drive us toward a deeper walk with Christ and a more conformed image to Christ as weaknesses are revealed. Life has many adversities, but each is individually crafted by God for our good and His ultimate glory. Why not rejoice or have repeatable joy in the midst of something that is for our good and Gods glory? Second Corinthians 4:17 says, For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

I can truly say that affliction today is something I look far more forward to because I know the potential results if I respond right to that affliction. I want more often to have a joy in adversity. This, too, is something as well that does not come naturally to humans, thus it requires the supernatural work of the Holy Ghost. In a trial, He can be praised, and the lost will stand amazed.

Today and every day, I am challenged to exercise love, exhibit joy in difficult and finally, to express peace when experiencing blows from those who oppose. This is no troubling matter. We are exhorted in 2 Timothy 2:2-4, For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. A clear opportunity to witness for Christ arises when we are able to live quiet and peaceably among the brethren.

There is nothing that will turn a lost person off to Christ quicker than seeing the brethren at ought one with another. Paul exhorts us in Romans 12:18, If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Now, to what do you believe as much as lieth in you refers? It could be none other than the Holy Ghost who lives within the believer. He is able to give us the power to live in His love, with joy and peaceably with all men! Amen!

Why am I challenged daily in these three areas? It is because I see the importance of being proactive when given the chance to be interactive in making Christ attractive.