Faith without religion.
Agape Love: Divine Origin and Transformative Power
In a recent teaching, we delved into the profound message of love as articulated in 1 John 4:7-18. This passage emphasizes the centrality of agape love, a recurring theme in John’s epistle. Unlike 1 Corinthians 13, which mentions agape love six times, John refers to it 16 times in just 15 verses, underscoring its significance.
John begins by urging us to love one another, stating that love is of God and that everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. This raises intriguing questions about the nature of love and its divine origin. Can non-Christians express agape love, or is it exclusive to believers? The discussion challenges the notion that only Christians can love selflessly, acknowledging that acts of selfless love are evident in the lives of many non-believers.
John presents love as evidence of several truths: that we are born of God, that we know God, and that God dwells in us. He asserts that perfect love casts out fear, offering boldness in the day of judgment. This love, when perfected, aligns us with Christ, allowing us to be as He is in this world.
The teaching also highlights the transformative power of love, which eliminates fear and brings us closer to God. It encourages us to err on the side of love, choosing it in as many situations as possible, and reminds us that love is defined by scripture, not by human standards.
Ultimately, the message is clear: genuine love is selfless and fearless, rooted in the understanding that God loves us unconditionally. As we embrace this love, we become more like Christ, living boldly and without fear.
