The Greek word, agapè, is defined as "a love that is based on the deliberate choice of the one who loves rather than the worthiness of the one who is loved."*
What does that teach us about ourselves and what does that reveal to us about God?
Christianity.about.com defines it as "selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love, the highest form of love…"
Thomas Jay Oord defined it as "an intentional response to promote well-being when responding to that which has generated ill-being."**
However we define it, it is above us and beyond us. It requires more than we can give. It commands a spark of divinity imparted into us to extend to another. It entails the Father of Love breathing and working through us. I can see no other way. We are not good enough, smart enough, clever enough, giving enough. We are inadequate for the task, for the role. We need help. We have to submit to it's Author and let Him write the words and the script.
*The Nelson Study Bible: The New King James Version (1997)
**Oord, Thomas Jay (2010). Defining Love: A Philosophical, Scientific, and Theological Engagement. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Brazos Press.ISBN 1-58743-257-9.
What does that teach us about ourselves and what does that reveal to us about God?
Christianity.about.com defines it as "selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love, the highest form of love…"
Thomas Jay Oord defined it as "an intentional response to promote well-being when responding to that which has generated ill-being."**
However we define it, it is above us and beyond us. It requires more than we can give. It commands a spark of divinity imparted into us to extend to another. It entails the Father of Love breathing and working through us. I can see no other way. We are not good enough, smart enough, clever enough, giving enough. We are inadequate for the task, for the role. We need help. We have to submit to it's Author and let Him write the words and the script.
*The Nelson Study Bible: The New King James Version (1997)
**Oord, Thomas Jay (2010). Defining Love: A Philosophical, Scientific, and Theological Engagement. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Brazos Press.ISBN 1-58743-257-9.
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