Agapē…Authentic Love
“Jesus’ love was one massive crescendo that never diminished. He loved to the end, the Lover of my soul.” - CHUCK SWINDOLL
The quality that distinctively sets His divine love for them, and an impact in apart believers as followers of Jesus is not the world that still exists today. a pithy bumper sticker or a fish emblem The Dynamic—Divine Love The dynamic is love, but not just any dangling from a necklace or a gilded dove pinned on the lapel. These are only love. The Greek word John used for “love” symbols of our faith. The true mark of a is agapē , which essentially means to seek the highest good of another. Although the Christian is love. In John 13, Jesus gave His 11 true dis- Mosaic Law commanded God’s people to ciples a mandate that added a new dimen- love one another (Leviticus 19:18), there sion to the meaning of love. And this new was something about Jesus’ command to dimension not only changes lives but, in love one another that made it new—that is, a compelling way, shows the world we fresh, unprecedented, or unique. This message teaches three truths belong to Jesus. about how we should express Christ’s His Command Anticipating His followers’ insecurity, love to others. Jesus set their drifting ship on a new course • Authentic love is unconditional in its expression and filled their sails with fresh wind: “So now I am giving you a new • Authentic love is unselfish in its motive commandment: Love each other. Just • Authentic love is unlimited in its benefits Which of these applications is the Holy as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another Spirit pointing your heart toward? Real, will prove to the world that you are my authentic, vulnerable agapē is the hardest thing in the world to carry out. You can’t do disciples.” (John 13:34–35) Our Saviour’s great mandate to His fol- it without the Spirit’s power. lowers included a dynamic internal power, “Agapē...Authentic Love” is from Chuck Swindoll’s series Following Christ...The Man of God. You can stream this message online anytime at insightforliving.ca/audiolibrary.
