Agape Love

Sunday’s S.O.A.P. is a weekly devotional meant to encourage you to read the Bible for yourself and to see its relevancy to your daily life.

This Week’s Passage

1 Corinthians 9 – 16

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:7

NIV: It (love) always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (Read online)

KJV: Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. (Read online)

MSG: Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. (Read online)

Observation

Love is unconditional.

Application

I found myself meditating on several verses in 1 Corinthians 13, particularly verses 4 – 8a. I strongly encourage you to read them. I was immediately captured by “Love is…” The passages proceed to tell us all the things that love is and also what love is not.

In life, we always seek love–and sometimes in the wrong places (but I won’t discuss this today). While meditating on these verses I was convicted with one thought…

Is my love unconditional?

Does my love always protect, always trust, always hope, always persevere?

Honestly, no.

Protecting My Time with God

For example, my love does not always protect. Because if I did I would hold my time with God to the highest esteem. I mean, I do…in theory. I make time daily to read my bible, pray, and we have quiet time. However, sometimes I let phone calls distract me, kids derail me. I let distractions rearrange my plans before sitting to read. I could do better. I could protect my time by scheduling it. I could write it like any other pertinent event in my life.

I went through each of these phrases and realized I have a lot of work to do. Because God’s love is absolute for me and I want to be the same to Him.

I ask you to consider the following this week: How are you showing God’s love in your life?

1 Corinthians 13:7 shoots straight to the heart of us because it does not qualify our love. It does not mention who we are to love.

It is sometimes easier to think of our love for spouses, children, parents but what about strangers. Those people that have wronged you. Harmed you. Hated you. Are you showing them unconditional love? If not, then we all have it wrong.

Here’s the Test

What type of conditions do you put on the relationships in your life?

Buy me this. Love me this way. Show up here. Do this. Do that.

Now, think hard…Do you place the same conditions on your relationship with God?

I’ll serve you if… I will love you more if… I need this… Lord, I need that…

We should Christ-like love, agape love, in all our relationships–with God and everyone we meet. Yes…everyone.

* * * * *

“And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle,
encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with
everyone” (1 Thessalonians 5:14).

* * * * *

Prayer

Heavenly Father. Thank you for being the awesome God that you are. Thank you for loving me in spite of me. I praise you for all that you are, all that you have done, and all that you are doing in my life.

Lord, I know that when I am lead by the Spirit that I am full of love. Love that mirrors the love you had for us when you gave your son Jesus. Father, I want to keep step with your Spirit.

I want my love to always protect, hope, trust and perseveres. I want to show my love by protecting my time with you and seeking opportunities to show your love to others.

Thus, in the name of Jesus, I ask according to your word to direct my steps because I want to bear lasting fruit. I want to remain in your love. I want to love others as you have loved me.

In Jesus Name, Amen.

Question: In what way can you love better?