“Agape” Kind of Love

By Rev Alvin Tan

I n the story of “Beauty and the Beast”, we see love triumphs over fear, hurt, rejection and softens the hardest of heart. We learn that in life, love cannot be forced. “Beauty and The Beast” teaches us that love is a choice. So how can God command us to love? In John 15:12 it says, "I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you." The answer is in the meaning of the word. The word Jesus uses here for "love" is "Agape." It is one of four words that were used to describe different kinds of love in the Greek culture. “Agape” refers to unconditional love. This love is not based on a feeling or natural attachment. This love is an action based on a choice. It means something you do because it was right. In this sense you can love someone you don't even "like." That is the kind of love Jesus talks about here. “Agape” may involve the emotions, but it is not based on them or motivated by them. Interestingly, it is the word most often used to describe God's love for us in Jesus (John. 3:16; John 15:12).

In Luke 10:25-37, Jesus tells a story called "The Good Samaritan." It tells of a man on his way to Jerusalem from Jericho who got robbed, stripped of his belongings and left for dead. Then came a priest and a Levite who chose not to get involved with this man. Along came a Samaritan who stopped, tended to this injured man. He even took him to an inn and paid for the expenses of this injured man. He lived out his love in action.

Being a Good Samaritan means going out of your way to help a stranger in need, with no expectation of thanks or recognition. As we venture together in High Praise, we need to catch the spirit of Christ. Love needs to the primary motivation in all our dealings with people and ministry. This story teaches us a couple of principles:

Be of assistance even if others acted foolishly (vs. 30)

The road from Jericho to Jerusalem was dangerous. It was foolish to travel alone. It was asking for trouble. When this guy got robbed and beaten, you could say, "He was asking for it – addicted to stupidity!” We all make mistakes. Probably many of us have made dumb moves if we were to be honest. We still manage to tolerate ourselves after a foolish mistake - not because we like what we did, but because we hope that we will learn from it. Let's assist each other along this journey of growth and learning. You might just learn something yourself.

1 Corinthians 10:12 - "If you think you are standing strong, be careful, for you, too, may fall into the same sin."

Be of assistance even if others don't and pass by on the other side (vs. 31,32)
It was normal for priests and Levites to regularly travel that road. They had a legalistic and religious view of compassion. They probably had a number of excuses for not helping the Samaritan. We too probably have at times many good “excuses” for not answering the prompting of the Spirit of God. “Excuses are nails used to build a house of failure” as someone once said. It will not be the nails to build God's House in High Praise! You can make a different in High Praise by reaching out in love to someone in need. You can make a difference by being a team member in High Praise. Many of you are doing so. Great job! Go for gold in Christ!

Be of assistance even it takes time (vs. 33)

That victim's problem became a big interruption for the good Samaritan's travel plan. He, like the priest and Levite, had things to do. We have many important tasks in life. The question is what is the most important thing at that particular time? To love the way Jesus tells us to may require you to miss a meal, a celebration, personal comfort or conveniences so as to help someone. As High Praise moves on, there will be challenges to our own personal comfort and convenience. Are we willing to lay them down so that others may be touched by God's love? Are we willing to be bothered by unplanned interruption so that His love can be shared?

Be of assistance even if it costs you (vs. 35)

The Samaritan gave the innkeeper the equivalent of two days' wages and literally a blank check. Would you be willing to leave your credit card with an innkeeper so that it may be used to assist some stranger? That is taking a very big chance. Are you willing to give as the Lord has blessed you? God take bigger chances with us. We are the “victims” and Jesus is the “Good Samaritan”. He saves us when no one else would and could. We need to learn to take “big chances” with each other as we venture into this new frontier with Jesus! We got to trust Jesus our Provider as we sow our finances and blessings into His work.

Be of assistance even if he is not like you (vs. 30 33)

The Samaritans and Jews were enemies for a long, long time. Besides that, this guy was injured. No one wanted to look at him, let alone touch him. Through this parable, Jesus also reminds us that our neighbors may not be the people whom we like. They may not even like us. It is exactly to such kind of people that we learn to share God's love. The barrier that separates neighbors must come down. The most powerful barrier-destroying machine is the Agape love of Christ. We are the channels by which this Agape love can flow… even to people who are not like us or do not even like us.

Be of assistance even if it is dangerous

By stopping to help, the Samaritan faced a real risk of getting himself hurt or killed. The same robbers who almost killed that victim might be still lurking around. To exercise real Agape love is to take risk. Doing the work of the Ministry involves risk and making sacrifices. As a church, you and I will be called upon to risk all for Jesus Christ. It is called “Being on His cutting edge”. There will be good times and also difficult ones. Yet when we get discouraged and hurt, there is always the healing and love of God available. The risks of loving people may be physical, social, economic, emotional . . . but we are called to take risks by the One who risked all for us.
Agape – We need it!

Why is it so important to Jesus that we love others? Why must we love more than just our friends and family, more than just those we naturally love? The reason is because God wants us to experience a kind of love that is not earth-bound. It is a supernatural love and only a true born-again disciple can experience and exercise it. Agape is a very special kind of love and when we exercise it, we show evidence that we have been touched by the power-packed Agape love of God.

Have you been touched by God's Agape love? Only you can answer that for yourself. If you have been filled with His Agape love, your whole life will change. You will not become vindictive but you will a genuine desire to love others.

You are God's people. This is the body of Christ. Do demonstrate the power of His love around us. Let's build great relationships and friendships in High Praise! Good friends, stand shoulder to shoulder and fight the battle together in extending His Kingdom. So open your hearts to the power of His Agape love and let the same love touch someone for Christ today!