No Greater Love

In a day and age where the world’s definition of love is fluid, how can one possibly know what it means to love and be loved? Does the definition of love change depending on the relationship? Is love simply an emotion that comes and goes as time marches forward? Is the ‘love’ you have for siomai or unli rice the same as the love you have for your family? I dare say that our definition of love must be clarified if we are ever going to know what it means to embrace God’s love and to love others in return.

Understanding God’s love is vital to one’s theology and practice of faith. The Bible is clear that God loves us with an agape love, and we can only reciprocate that love because God gives it to us through the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:5). Strong’s Concordance notes that agape is “wider, embracing especially the judgment and the deliberate assent of the will as a matter of principle, duty and propriety.” Agape love is manifested first and foremost toward God because it is a dutiful, submissive, and obedient love. It is a love that does what is right regardless of how a person feels about it. In other words, agape love has a moral core, rather than an emotional one. 

Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world, who died for both godly and ungodly, displayed this agape love. He was, and is, and is to come. He was in the beginning, yet has no beginning. He will be in the end, yet has no end. The humans whom God created failed Him, yet He followed through on His promise to save mankind through His Son. His Word never failed us, because Jesus Christ came down and shed His precious blood as an offering to blot out our transgressions. There is no greater love than this: laying down one’s life for others (John 15:13) What a great sacrifice! Jesus Christ gave His life as a gift to the world. That is agape love in action.

As I reflect on God’s perfect love, I don’t think that somebody can out-give the love that He has shown. He shows His affection unconditionally. He gives promises through His Word that will not fail. Our God, in the person of Jesus Christ, offered the greatest gift of all and that was His life. He touched the sick and they were healed forever. He enjoyed the company of sinners despite challenges and threats. He humbled Himself in the form of a servant to show greatness in lowliness. He came to earth to serve and not to be served. God’s love is far beyond human analogy.

The love of God-the Father, God-the Son, and God-the Holy Spirit is immeasurable. The love of the Triune God is constant, perfect, and unwavering. There is no greater love.

 

PS. Thanks to WOTS Team for proofreading this article I submitted voluntarily as I felt the need to share what God has impressed upon my heart last 2018 and they successfully published it in their 75th magazine issue titled 'From Captive to Captivated'.