The Power of Agape

Love, I’m pretty sure, is a part of everyone’s vocabulary. We love that new TV show, love pizza, love traveling, and fall in love. The word is used so often in so many different contexts that it has virtually lost its impact.

Let’s take a step back for a moment—what is love, really? We don't need a dozen opinion polls, because we’re lucky enough to have the Creator’s own definition of love in 1 Corinthians 13. The famous “love chapter” of the Bible centers around a simple Greek word: agape. This was not the only word in the Greek language for love, nor was it the most popular in its time. The Greeks glorified the physical love between a man and woman: eros (from which we get our word erotic). They had a word for the loyalty between friends: philos. A third Greek word for love was storge, which described the strong tie between a parent and child.

Christians were soon to make the whole world aware of the power of the underdog, agape. They accomplished this not through catchy slogans or endless repetition, but by compelling demonstration. Agape, you see, means “self-sacrifice.” As Christians followed Christ’s own humble example of love, thousands were moved to become followers of Jesus themselves.

Here’s a hands-on definition you can take with you through this week and throughout your life: agape love is seeking the highest good of another person. This is the challenge set before you: seek the highest good of your spouse, kids, parents, boss, coworkers, customers, and neighbors. Love them with agape. Want a place to start? Start here:

“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” (1 Corinthians 13:3-7)

With God's help, you and I can take agape off the pages of Scripture and make it a powerful force for change in the lives of others.

-Billy-

© 2008 by W. Joseph Sherman.