To many, love is a strong positive feeling toward others. But to Christians, love is so much more than positive feelings. In fact, love according to the Scriptures, sometimes involves overcoming negative feelings in service of a higher goal. True Christian love is based much more on commitment than on feelings and is grounded in obedience to the commandments of Jesus.
R. C. Sproul said it well when talking about Christian love: “Genuine love for Jesus manifests itself in obedience to His commandments.”1 Another name for this type of love is agape. In the New Testament agape is a transcendent love and is the highest form of love. Normally when we think of love we focus on eros, or erotic love, and philia, or brotherly love. Agape love, not only is the highest and purest form of love, but it is the love of choice and often is not based on attraction at all.
A beautiful description of this special type of love can be found in (1 Corinthians 13:4-7): “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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.”
Corrie Ten Boom once said: “Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.”2 I believe that agape love is like that. It can function regardless of our feelings since it is an act of the will. And when our will is focused on being obedient to the commandments of Jesus this manifestation of the love of God can become a transformation power in the lives of the people we interact with.
When Jesus was put on the cross He said: “…Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing…” (Luke 23:34). That’s agape love. When Stephen was being stoned to death we read: “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ When he had said this, he fell asleep. (Acts 7:59-60).” That’s agape love. And when someone slanders your character or hurls insults at you, and you decide to pray for them instead of getting bitter, that’s agape love.
My friends showing true Christian love toward others, especially unbelievers, combined with prayer for their salvation, in my opinion is the most powerful way to call upon the Holy Spirit to convict them of their sinful lifestyle and bring them to salvation. May I challenge you to again read (1 Corinthians 13:4-7) and ask the Lord to give you that kind of love:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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.”
When you do this, not only will you be pleasing the Lord, advancing His kingdom here on earth, but playing a role in bringing souls to the saving knowledge of Christ. And what can be more joyous, exciting and thrilling than this!
1 R. C. Sproul’s Most-Powerful Quotes | Simply Quotes
2 Corrie Ten Boom: The Power of Forgiveness – Life:Beautiful Magazine (lifebeautifulmagazine.com)