Love. It's a word we throw around daily, describing everything from our affection for pizza to our deepest connection with family. But is all love created equal? The Bible speaks extensively about love, and it paints a picture that's both familiar and profoundly different from our everyday understanding. So, how is God's love different from human love?
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 NIV [1] If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. [3] If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. [4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. [8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. [9] For we know in part and we prophesy in part, [10] but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. [11] When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. [12] For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. [13] And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Human love, in its various forms, is often conditional. We love those who are kind to us, those who share our interests, those who meet our needs. It can be based on attraction, shared experiences, or reciprocal affection. Think about the love between friends, the romantic spark between partners, or the familial bond between parent and child. These loves are powerful and essential, but they often rely on certain conditions being met. They can fluctuate with circumstances, and they can be broken by betrayal, disappointment, or simply a change in feelings. Human love is often about receiving something in return.
God's love, often referred to as agape in the New Testament, takes a different approach. Agape love is the greatest love. There is no greater love than the love God has for us. The love He has for us has no bounds, nor does it contain any restraints.
Romans 8:31-39 NIV [31] What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God.
Agape is not primarily an emotion, though it can certainly involve feeling. Instead, it's a choice, a conscious decision to act in the best interest of another, regardless of their worthiness or our feelings towards them. It's a selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the good of the other even at personal cost. Think of Jesus's commandment to "love your enemies".
Matthew 5:43-48 NIV [43] “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? [47] And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
This isn't about warm, fuzzy feelings towards those who wrong us. It's about acting with compassion and kindness, even when it's difficult, because it reflects the character of God.
Jesus gave us an example in His parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke 10:30-37 NIV [30] In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. [31] A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. [32] So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33] But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. [34] He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. [35] The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ [36] “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” [37] The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Here are some key distinctions between human love and God's (agape) love:
It's important to note that human love isn't inherently bad or inferior. It's a vital part of the human experience. However, God's love offers a higher standard, a way to love that reflects God's own character and has the power to transform relationships and communities. It challenges us to move beyond our natural inclinations and to love even when it's difficult, to forgive even when we've been hurt, and to serve even when we receive nothing in return.
Understanding the difference between these two types of love can be transformative. It can help us to appreciate the love we receive from others while also inspiring us to cultivate a deeper, more selfless love ourselves. It's a journey, a lifelong process of learning to love as God loves, and it's a journey worth taking.
When we turn to God and look at Him, we see unconditional love. A type of love that is not based on what we do or don’t do. It is a love based on who He is and His love for His children. This is the love of God, and it is flawless.
1 Corinthians 13:1-13 NIV [1] If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. [3] If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. [4] Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. [5] It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. [6] Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. [7] It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. [8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. [9] For we know in part and we prophesy in part, [10] but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. [11] When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. [12] For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. [13] And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Human love, in its various forms, is often conditional. We love those who are kind to us, those who share our interests, those who meet our needs. It can be based on attraction, shared experiences, or reciprocal affection. Think about the love between friends, the romantic spark between partners, or the familial bond between parent and child. These loves are powerful and essential, but they often rely on certain conditions being met. They can fluctuate with circumstances, and they can be broken by betrayal, disappointment, or simply a change in feelings. Human love is often about receiving something in return.
God's love, often referred to as agape in the New Testament, takes a different approach. Agape love is the greatest love. There is no greater love than the love God has for us. The love He has for us has no bounds, nor does it contain any restraints.
Romans 8:31-39 NIV [31] What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? [32] He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? [33] Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. [34] Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. [35] Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? [36] As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” [37] No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. [38] For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, [39] neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
There is nothing that can separate us from the love of God.
Agape is not primarily an emotion, though it can certainly involve feeling. Instead, it's a choice, a conscious decision to act in the best interest of another, regardless of their worthiness or our feelings towards them. It's a selfless, sacrificial love that seeks the good of the other even at personal cost. Think of Jesus's commandment to "love your enemies".
Matthew 5:43-48 NIV [43] “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [46] If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? [47] And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? [48] Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
This isn't about warm, fuzzy feelings towards those who wrong us. It's about acting with compassion and kindness, even when it's difficult, because it reflects the character of God.
Jesus gave us an example in His parable of the Good Samaritan
Luke 10:30-37 NIV [30] In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. [31] A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. [32] So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. [33] But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. [34] He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. [35] The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’ [36] “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” [37] The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.” Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”
Here are some key distinctions between human love and God's (agape) love:
- Human love is often conditional, based on reciprocation or shared values. God's love is unconditional, extended regardless of the other person's actions or worth.
- Human love can be self-centered, seeking personal gratification or benefit. God's love is other-centered, focused on serving and uplifting the other person.
- Human love originates from within us, based on our feelings and experiences. God's love is seen as a gift from God, empowering us to love in a way that transcends our natural inclinations.
- Human love can be fleeting, changing with circumstances and emotions. God's love is meant to be steadfast, enduring even through trials and difficulties.
- Human love is often expressed through feelings and words. God's love is primarily demonstrated through actions, through acts of service, compassion, and forgiveness.
It's important to note that human love isn't inherently bad or inferior. It's a vital part of the human experience. However, God's love offers a higher standard, a way to love that reflects God's own character and has the power to transform relationships and communities. It challenges us to move beyond our natural inclinations and to love even when it's difficult, to forgive even when we've been hurt, and to serve even when we receive nothing in return.
Understanding the difference between these two types of love can be transformative. It can help us to appreciate the love we receive from others while also inspiring us to cultivate a deeper, more selfless love ourselves. It's a journey, a lifelong process of learning to love as God loves, and it's a journey worth taking.
When we turn to God and look at Him, we see unconditional love. A type of love that is not based on what we do or don’t do. It is a love based on who He is and His love for His children. This is the love of God, and it is flawless.
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