Love is the priority virtue in the New Testament that believers possess. 1 Corinthians 13:13, Now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. That is a clear cut statement. Love is preeminent above all because it describes the highest possible state you can live in. When believers love, they act most God-like. God does not have faith and hope, but God is love (1 John 4:8). Colossians 3:12, 14:
12 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering…14 But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
Love is the glue that keeps all these virtues connected. You cannot remove love from the list of a believer’s life. Some believers may not be humble or may not have much patience, but no genuine believer can be void of love.
Four Words for Love
Love according to the New Testament is a concept that is misunderstood today because we have painted it with the colors of the world. Unfortunately, in English we have this one word “love” and it means so many things. You say you love your wife, you say love your kids, you say you love you house, you say you love the Chocolate double layered cake you are eating. It is unfortunately the English language does this. The Greek language has four words for love which eliminates any confusion. In fact, the words in Greek are so different from each other that you would never mix them up. For example, “eros” is the physical intimate love between a man and a woman. “Storge” is the love between mothers and daughters; fathers and sons; brothers and sisters. “Phileo” is another Greek word for love that denotes what you would call a brotherly love. Not brotherly in the sense of family, but in the sense of the human race. This is the type of love that makes us want to watch out for our fellow man and wish the best on him.
What is Agape Love?
It is the fourth word for love that is most important. The noun “agape” and verb “agapao” in Greek mean unconditional love. The way God loves His people (1 John 4:11). A biblical definition of love starts with God, never with people. It is a word for the ultimate act of sacrificing oneself for the good of someone else (John 3:16). Agape describes a love that is totally selfless. It delights in giving and determines to do whatever is best for the loved one. It gives without ever expecting to get anything back. The essence of its meaning is indicated by Jesus when He said, Love your enemies (Matthew 5:44). How are we to love our enemies? We are to love our enemies like God loved His enemies. God loved His enemies enough to send His Son to die on their behalf (Romans 5:8). This is unmerited and unwavering, pure love. This love can only be experienced by one who truly knows God and has received His Son as Lord and Savior.
Why & Who Should We Love?
We love God because God first loved us (1 John 4:19). God is the supreme motivator for Christians to love one another. When we slip in our love and adoration of God, our motivation to serve one another will grow stale. We must maintain the strong increasing love for God for Who He is and what He has done. Nothing should diminish that love. We have to love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity (Ephesians 6:24). The Bible goes so far as to curse anyone who does not love Christ (1 Corinthians 16:22). A love for God translates into a love for our neighbor, which will manifest itself in actions toward one another.
Scripture Reference
The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
We love, because He first loved us.
Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha.
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