God created us with the capacity to love, an attribute reflecting His nature. In Greek, two notable words for love are 'phileo' and 'agape'. Phileo refers to attraction, and Agape refers to unconditional love, selflessness, and sacrificial love – the kind of love God has for us.
Agape love is beautifully exemplified in John 15:13 (NIV), where Jesus says, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." It's the kind of love that Jesus demonstrated on the cross, a love that is willing to endure hardship and make sacrifices for the sake of others.
God made our hearts to love in this agape way, challenging us to love others not based on their actions or our feelings but as an act of will, mirroring God’s love for us. It goes beyond superficial interactions, fostering deep connections and reflecting the full heart of God.
Quote
We will only understand the full love of God when we meet him face to face.
Prayer
Lord, help the areas of my heart that have experienced hurt and heal me back to love. Amen.
Action Point
Where have you experienced hurt? From family, friends; it’s time to find God’s love in those situations again.
Copyright notices
(NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Use in other publications. You can use all of this devotional when including this credit. Copyright © Carl Brettle. Subscribe for free via www.faithlift.org