Agape

So for the past few weeks I have been doing a Beth Moore study entitled "Living Beyond Yourself." It is a study about the Fruit of the Spirit, and applying it to ones life. For those of you who have done a Beth Moore study, you know that it is definitely a daunting task! There is SOOOO much information, sometimes it is hard to take it all in. For those of you who haven't done one, I highly recommend it-for the same reason, there is SOOOO much information! I really feel like I am learning a lot.

This week was a look into the first fruit: LOVE. While the first couple of days focused on Eros Love (love in marriage) and Philos Love (Friend Love), the remaining days focused on Agape Love.

Most all of us are familiar with the following scripture from 1 Corinthians 13:

" Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love neveer fails."

If you are anything like me, the verse is so familiar you just skimmed over it. I challenge you to read back over the verse and really realise how complex and daunting the task is to think about loving each and every person this way. Not just those who we hold the closest-but what about those that WE feel are unlovable? However, God calls us to love as He loves! So, how in the world are we suppose to do that??

So, here is the encouraging part and what I have learned!!

"For God is greater than our hearts." 1 John 3:20

Only God is capable of Agape love. That perfect love that never waivers. But we can show God's love to everyone knowing that "God is greater than our hearts", when we are filled with his Holy Spirit.

So, I challenge you this week, just as I have been challenged to think of those people on your "unloveable" list. What is keeping us from loving those people? We can't focus on what is "wrong with them", but we have to change our thinking and ask ourselves, "How can I better love this person?" What do I need to change in my heart and thinking?

Who is God calling me to Agape? Who is God calling you to agape?