Living in Increase (Part 2) - Increase in LoveSample

God's Love

We saved the best for last! The final (and greatest) type of love the Bible represents is God’s love or agape love. The Greek word agape means “the fatherly love of God for humans, as well as the human reciprocal love for God.” Agape is God’s divine love for us and our divine love for Him! This love is also sacrificial, symbolizing what Jesus did for us on the cross when He died for our sins.

When we read Matthew 22:37-40 through the lens of agape love, we see that God wants us to love Him and others out of the overflow of His love for us. Do you know what that means? We have the strength and ability to love God and people always. Why? Because the source of our love for God and people is not dependent on us; it is dependent on God’s love for us, which is everlasting (Lamentations 3:22)!

We started this week with John 3:16, stating, “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” God loved (the original word is agapaō) the world by sending His Son, Jesus, for us. Because of this sacrifice and act of love, we can now love God and people!

So, when you can’t find the strength to eros (love romantically), storge (love your family), or philia (love your friends), you can always find the power to agape. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love each other because He [God] loved us first.” Therefore, be encouraged today! You are loved by God, and you can find every ounce of strength you need to love others through Him.

Emily N. Green

Action Step: Think of one person who has been difficult to love. Pray and thank God for His love for you. Then, ask God to help you love them with agape love!