Be More SelfLESS, Not Selfish

This week I will be adding to a subject from last week: *unconditional love.

I'm sure you've all sat in a Sunday School lesson about the different types of love, specifically agape love. "The term "agape” is used in the Bible; it refers to a pure, willful, sacrificial love that intentionally desires another’s highest good." I sat through many lessons about this as I grew up, but I couldn't say I truly understood the concept of agape love until recently. I knew that Jesus loved me *unconditionally, but I didn't expect myself to love others the same way. I didn't hold myself to a higher expectation of how to love others, whether it was strangers, friends, or family; I loved them casually.

I didn't expect myself to love those who consciously chose to hurt me, lied to me, or despitefully used me. Matthew 5:44 says, "But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" We all know this concept (if you've been raised in the church), but do we honestly think that we could seek the higher good for our enemies and bless those that curse us? Can we truly see ourselves giving our enemy a hand if they're in danger? Can we see ourselves mourning the loss of their soul, or do we see ourselves praying that God punishes them for hurting you or your loved ones? God can punish them, but that's His decision, not yours.

He wants us to choose Him; it hurts when we do the opposite. We see that in the SIXTH chapter of the Bible. The story of Noah is about one man that found favor in God's eyes because he had not become wicked like the rest of mankind. Even in the very beginning of the world, God regretted making mankind and grieved that they had become corrupt.

Genesis 6:5-7 (AMP): The Lord saw that the wickedness (depravity) of man was great on the earth, and that every imagination or intent of the thoughts of his heart were only evil continually. The Lord regretted that He had made mankind on the earth, and He was [deeply] grieved in His heart. So the Lord said, “I will destroy (annihilate) mankind whom I have created from the surface of the earth—not only man, but the animals and the crawling things and the birds of the air—because it [deeply] grieves Me [to see mankind’s sin] and I regret that I have made them.”

Yes, God regretted making mankind, but that is what makes His mercy and grace so amazing! I'm constantly reminded of these verses in Psalm 73. "Then I was senseless and ignorant; I was like a beast before You. Nevertheless, I am continually with You; You have taken hold of my right hand. You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward, receive me to honor and glory." Psalm 73:22-24. His love for us truly knows no bounds. Despite this, our choices limit what He does for us. Not because He doesn't want to help us but because it depends on our willingness to choose.

Now that we've laid the basis of how God's love works, let's talk about how we're supposed to love the same; *unconditionally. Love as He loves us. That's the least we could do to those that don't even know or acknowledge Him. After all, Paul did say, "And now there remain: faith [abiding trust in God and His promises], hope [confident expectation of eternal salvation], love [unselfish love for others growing out of God’s love for me], these three [the choicest graces]; but the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13:13.

Just one definition this week ;)

unconditionally - adverb

1. With no limits in any way : without restriction by conditions or qualifications

Additional Resources & Reading

Chapters:

• 1 Corinthians 13 - The Exellence of Love

• Romans 12 - Dedicated Service, 14 - Principles of Conscience, 15 - Self-Denial On Behalf of Others

• Philippians 2 - Be Like Christ, 3 - The Goal of Life

• Colossians 3 - Put On the New Self

Passages:

• Romans 8:26-39 [The Love of Christ]

• Philippians 4:1-9 [Think of Excellence]