AGAPE- Unconditional Love

Here's the next guest post by the talented Adam

“Be the tree that shades the tired, comforts the lonely, and loves the neglected. When it is time, with His love you will bear a fruitful life.”
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One fine morning, a young boy asked his mother, "Mommy, how much does God love me?"

His mother was surprised at his question. She called him close, looked into his eyes and said, "God loves you with unconditional love."

The boy thought for a little while and asked, "Mommy, what is unconditional love?"

His mother recollected for a few minutes and told him, "Do you remember last week when you broke Mommy's teapot while playing?"

The boy fell silent and nodded.

His mother continued, "Although I got angry for a little while; when you went to your room and started crying, I brought you a glass of milk and some cookies. Do you remember?"

The boy's face lit up. "Yes, I do." he said happily.

His mother told him, "God's love for us is like that, but much better and nicer. If we are ready to receive it, we will be really happy."

The boy thought for some time and told his mother, "I am ready to receive God's love, Mommy."

...

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the satisfaction for our sins."
-John 4:19

The Greeks coined three separate words to mean ‘Love’. They were ‘eros’, ’philios’ and ‘agape’. In Christian theology, Agape is termed as the love of God or Christ for mankind. It also translates to ‘Parental Love’. Rightly so, because His children are showered with his unconditional love. I do think however, that there is a condition imposed.

A wise philosopher once said "Everything that belongs to you will come to you, if you only create the capacity to receive it.” Think about this line again. "Everything that belongs to you will come to you, if you only create the capacity to receive it.” It is true with all of our achievements, our goals and our wishes. It is also true for love. Every ounce of God's love will come to you, if you only create the capacity to receive it. So how does one create the capacity to receive His love?

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud"

-1 Corinthians 13:4

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons 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."

A light held to illuminate someone else’s path will surely illuminate your path as well. Any man/woman who learns to give love freely will so receive. It is in serving that one gains the capacity to lead. It is by learning that one earns the capacity to teach. It is by giving love freely that one gains the capacity to receive it.

Jesus once said that the greatest commandment was to love your neighbor as you love yourself. It is not a process that finds fruit immediately. An exercise will yield strength only if performed regularly and quantified with effort. The capacity to love is similar. Each day we must fill a little unconditional love into someone’s life. It could be your loved ones, an enemy who asks for your help, a stranger in need of a shoulder to cry on – it could be anyone! A little effort each day, and your heart will earn the capacity to receive His love.

So my friends ask yourselves, to whom did you give your unconditional love today?

Adam