Agape Love || 1 John 3:11 || Manna for the Mind #18

Welcome to Day 18 of my “Manna for the Mind” devotional series! This series takes a passage of scripture (typically 1-3 verses) and builds its understanding through its context and connecting scripture. Doing this helps us understand what the Bible truly teaches us. 

1 John 3:11

11          This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another.

I only have a few study notes for today. I only have one connecting scripture as well, so this means it’s time for a word study! YAY!!! Let’s look deeper at the word “love.”

In this passage, love is the Greek word agapaó (ag – ap – ah’ – o),  which means to love. It represents something you love, wish well to, take pleasure in, or long for. This word’s history comes from embracing God’s will and obeying it through His power. It refers to what God prefers. Simply put, it means actively doing what God prefers with His power and direction.

You’re probably more familiar with this form of agapaó. It’s agape (ag – ah’ – pay), which means love and goodwill. It’s used to describe love, benevolence, goodwill, and esteem. It’s a type of love that centers on moral preference.

We should embrace God’s will and follow it according to his direction and power when we love one another. It needs to be an intentional choice that comes from the heart and is directed by the Spirit.

John 15:12

12          This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.

Jesus loved us so much that he gave his life for us. Loving like Jesus requires sacrifice. It could be your time, money, resources, energy, or something else they might need. We might not have to die for someone, but we can listen. We can help. We can encourage. We can give.  How will you love today? Think about someone in your community who is in need of something like this. Allow the Holy Spirit to use the agape love inside your heart to bless someone as God has blessed you. Amen.

Father, we thank you for the kind of love that only comes from you. Helps to follow your will and comprehend what that means for us and our situations. Teach us how to obey the commands you’ve set before us through the power of your Holy Spirit. Let us love each other. In the same way, you’ve loved us. It’s in your name, we pray. Amen.