top of page

Agape Love: The Ultimate Expression of Christian Character Growth








The more our heart aligns with God's heart, the more it will overflow into loving others.








Well, we’ve watched as our imaginary disciple, Lucinda, has made the climb up Saint Peter's steps to transformation as outlined in 2 Peter 1:5-7, and now she’s approaching the top. Of course, we’re just talking about one very specific example - being faithful in church attendance. Let’s review right quick.


It starts with faith and virtue-a commitment to truth and a desire to please your Heavenly Father.


To your virtue add knowledge. Some kind of knowledge is gained from Bible study. In Lucinda’s case it’s the truth that God desires for us to assemble together as believers. In real life this cycle is in play for any number of truths that God may be currently teaching you.


To your knowledge add self-control. It’s not enough to know truth, you have to put it into action and obey it.


To your self-control add perseverance. Stick with your new behavior.


To your perseverance add godliness. This new behavior becomes a part of who you are.


To your godliness add brotherly love. God’s nature is to overflow and want what’s good for others.


And now at last the final step is love, the ultimate in Christ like behavior. What’s the difference between brotherly kindness and love? Brotherly kindness - philadelphia affection- is more of an inclination or desire.


Agape love is where the will gets involved again. You’ve heard it said probably that love is an action. Love is where Lucinda will move from the desire that someone else receives good from God to self sacrificing action to help them receive good from God.


Lucinda finds that as her heart fully merges with God’s heart, she is willing to commit to whatever it takes to help someone else see God’s truth. That might look like a hundred different things from Lucinda sharing her love for church in conversation to keeping someone’s kids in the nursery,

to writing postcards to absentee small group members. There is no cookie cutter answer for how God will work through anybody. Our creative God made everyone with different personalities and gifts to display His agape love in a million different ways. This is a form of “God magic” where the more we become like Him, the more truly ourselves we become.


The point here is to see the transformation from your heart being self-centered to God-centered in your desires, from ignorant to knowledgeable of God’s truth in your mind, and from apathetic to obedient and self-sacrificing in your will. Your whole heart, the convergence of your mind, will, and emotions, has been transformed to be like Jesus’ heart, and your actions flow out from your new transformed heart. God has radically transformed you from your heart to your walk.




As long as we live on earth, this is a never ending process that always leaves us satisfied and hungry for more at the same time.

Comments


bottom of page