Divine Agape Love

The official "love" month is pretty much over. God has been convicting me of many things throughout the past couple weeks as I have meditated on His divine agape love.

This week's "Living Beyond Yourself" study is focussed on the LOVE fruit of the Spirit. One statement Beth Moore made which has stuck with me is: "Love is always demonstrative."

Our church ladies ministry has created a new outreach called "Love is a Verb" which is focussed on outreach to teen moms. The title of the ministry sounds the same as Beth Moore's statement, doesn't it?!

And then if we compare those words to 1 John 3:18 "Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth." we can see the scriptural backing!

Of course the ultimate "love" description in scripture can be found in 1 Corinthians 13. And the words tucked into the following four verses are powerful challenges, at least for me!

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 never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love is patient.

Wow, I've been tested in this department lately. My daughters in particular challenge me in this area. And then today, in a VERY slow check-out line, once again I was reminded that divine agape love is patient! I was actually feeling embarrassed by the thoughts that were going through my mind as it was one of my least favorite cashiers at this check out (it's hard to believe there could be a "least favorite" cashier isn't it!!! I've just had some bad experiences with her!). The Holy Spirit immediately chided me and reminded me that this lady needed agape love and prayer. So I set to praying for this lady and took captive those impatient unkind thoughts and made them obedient to Christ.

Love is kind.

My husband is probably the most common recipient of cutting hurtful UNKIND words. I feel challenged to be more kind to him in particular. Just because I want to be honest with him doesn't mean I have to be insensitive!

Love does not envy, does not boast, is not proud.

This is not my typical area of struggle, but occassionally it rears its head.

Love is not rude.

Beth Moore zoned in on "rude" referring to crude or inappropriate talk etc. Of course this is occasionally a challenge, particular with non christian friends. And it does make me second guess TV shows I watch etc. as I do want to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord.

Love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs.

Ooohh, that's a tough one!

Love does not delight with evil but rejoices in the truth.

That's just beautiful!

Love always protects.

THIS is the one that God has REALLY convicted me on. How often do I fail to protect others, in particular their reputation? I know this is a challenge with my kids and husband. I received conviction in this area a couple years ago when studying Woman after God's Own Heart. I was convicted of my need to protect my children and husband, by watching what I say about them to others.

But if I take this one step further, how about the rest of the people in the world? We're meant to love EVERYONE right, even our enemies?! Last week the "crazy lady" who drops her kid off at school each day while we're on lunch duty, was coming up to the school. One of my co-workers immediately started to talk bad about her (which I confess I've done too). I said a few careful words, and knew in my heart I was being challenged to extend divine agape love by protecting the "crazy lady" and being careful not to gossip and malign this lady.

Love always hopes and perseveres and never fails.

Isn't that beautiful! As I sit here pondering these characteristics I can't help but think of those courageous individuals who "step out of time" and extend love to the poor and needy and oppressed (in line with Isaiah 58) whether it is through an orphanage ministry or a homeless/street person ministry or with immigrants and refugees and many many more.

That is the kind of love that HOPES in the face of odds stacked against them. That is the kind of love that PERSEVERES despite the uphill battles. And that is the kind of love that God uses to change people forever which NEVER FAILS.

These characteristics just keep playing through my head over and over and over again. What an AWESOME beautiful picture of love!

Thank you Lord for your Holy Spirit convicting me and speaking to me through this Scripture! I pray that I would live by the Spirit and be led by the Spirit and produce the fruits of the Spirit through Your empowerment. Thank you for your divine agape love! Thank you for demonstrating your love for us while we were still sinners, providing the sacrifice for our sins, so that we could be made right with you! Thank you, thank you, thank you. Amen.