God's
love is often antithetical to the concepts we expect from human love. There is
no romance involved in Agape love, no passion or desire, and no human emotion.
It
is a choice and a fact, a decision, and often goes against our natural
inclinations as human beings. Agape love seeks the welfare of the recipient of
this love and has not even one drop of selfishness or ill will (Romans 15:2,
13:8-10).
God's
love is eternal and it is not limited in any way. It seeks to bless everyone without
prejudice or partiality. It is not earned or deserved; in fact, God loves us
while we are still sinners (Romans 5:8).
If
we make the choice to love others as Christ loves us, this love is sacrificial,
patient, humble, trusting, hopeful, honors others, perseveres, and is free of
jealousy and score keeping. Agape love delights in the truth and has no part in
evil of any kind (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
We
may interpret someone's behavior based on our life history with them, our
prejudice or bias, and our perception of their motives and intentions. This may
influence the flow of human love between us and them.
However,
Agape love has nothing to do with how we feel about the person. We see this
person from God's perception and not our human reasoning. We do not even need
to like them…we simply allow God to love them through us.
Prayer:
Father
God, teach us to love the whole world as You do. Help us to see everyone we
meet as a potential friend rather than as a stranger. Create in us an open mind
regarding everyone, rather than a closed or skeptical attitude. Give us a
servant's heart toward everyone and a willingness to help them in the name of
Christ.
Create
in us a clean heart and a holy spirit that is sacrificial in our attitude
toward people - even those we do not like or who are abrasive and what we term
as unlovable. Help us to see everyone through Your eyes and to set aside our
human impression of them so that You can love them through us.
Thought
for the Day:
As
God's ambassadors, we even love our enemies and we are generous and kind to
those who abuse and neglect us; because the love of God rules and reigns in our
heart.
