Agape Love is What You Need

Love is a frequent theme in our culture. Songs, movies, television and radio shows all over the country look at various aspects of love. I do not know from personal experience but have a strong suspicion that all over the world, love is a dominant theme. We hear songs such as "I need somebody to love," "Love takes two," "Lovin' you," "Love is a many splendored thing," "She loved me like a rock." Many of our songs and shows have love as the theme but most confuse love with other things, such as "What's love got to do with it? What's love but a second hand emotion? What's love got to do with it? Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?" (Turner, Tina. What's Love Got to Do with it?). Clearly it is an important subject to all people.

Love is also a major theme in the Epistle of I John. It occurs 36 times in just 5 chapters. It occurs in 24 of the 105 verses -- almost one fourth of the epistle centers on love. The kind of love John talks about is from the Greek word, "Agape." It is the unconditional love that comes from God. This is the kind of love that embodies God's character. But it is not just a feeling of affection that God has for you. No, "Agape" is much more than unconditionally feelings -- it is God doing His best to meet your deepest needs and expecting nothing in return. "Agape" love seeks to meet your needs without a "quid pro quo" or "I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine" arrangement. "Agape" love enabled the Father to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to the cross at Calvary for a world of sinners who despised Him.

Scripture Passage: 1 John 3:11-24

Main Thought: God's love enables you to demonstrate His redemptive love to others, which in turn blesses your life.

Outline:

Love required is "agape" love, the Father's love.
Love refused leads to disaster.
Love revealed provides comfort when challenged.
Love redeemed acts redemptively.

1. Love required is "agape" love, the Father's love.

(11) For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. (1 John 3:11, NKJV)

Why is the Apostle John so concerned that we demonstrate love to one another? Is is not enough that we do not fight or argue with each other? First of all, because you need the blessings that God brings into your life because you love others.

Love because of your Father's love

John's statement here is that this is nothing new, no new commands, no surpises; you have had this command from the beginning. You are to love one another because that is God's character -- "God is love" (1 John 4:16, NKJV) and Jesus' supreme example -- Jesus gave His life for you of which there is "no greater love than this" (John 15:13, NKJV). As Jesus told His disciples, "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love" (John 15:9-10, NIV). You are to love others because God loves you so completely. You remain in close fellowship with God when you not only love Him but carry His love to others in your life.

Love because of your new nature

We should love one another because that is a reflection of who you are in Christ -- a new creation by God (2 Cor. 5:17), holy and blameless (Eph. 1:3), redeemed for all time (Gal. 3:13-14, 1 Pet. 1:18), indwelt by the Spirit of God (Eph. 1:13-14) who is full of grace, truth, and love. That's your true identity in Christ.

Don't be confused about your identity like little Katie, a pastor's daughter. Every time she was asked her name she would say, "I'm Katie, Pastor Allen's daughter." Her mother thought she needed to assert her own identity so she encouraged her to just reply "Katie." The next day, a man asked her name. "I'm Katie," she replied. "Oh, you're Pastor Allen's daughter," he said, smiling. "Well, Dad says so," said Katie, "but Mom's not real sure."

Can you imagine Walter Cronkite having spent his life in a monastery under a vow of silence? Can you imagine Michael Jordan having spent his life as a dentist? Or what about George Washington as a waiter? While there is nothing bad about any of these life choices, it is clear that it would not have reflected who these people were born to be. Walter Cronkite was born to tell the news, Michael Jordan to play basketball, and George Washington to lead. You have a new nature in Christ because you have been born again into the kingdom of God. You, dear child of God in Christ, were born again to love (John 3:3; 1 John 2:29,3:9). Love is a natural reflection of your new nature in Christ.

Love because of the great need in the world

If there is one thing that people need in the world, it is to be loved. Another song about love goes like this, "What the world needs now is love, sweet love." God made us creatures born with a craving for love and nurture. Christians are commanded to love one another because we need it and the whole world needs it.

Love is that one thing
you can never give too much away
nor get too much in return.

Agape love is what the world needs because it is the love that meets needs. Love reaches out to heal the hurts, befriend the lonely, help the poor, lift up the brokenhearted, encourage the downcast soul, to laugh with those who laugh and cry with those who cry. Love holds your hand and pats your back. Love answers softly with compassion and wisdom. Love demands justice and mercy, forgiveness and correction. What the world needs now is what it has always needed -- agape love. You, as a follower of Jesus Christ, are uniquely equipped by God to give this very love to a needy world.

Love because your prayers will then be answered

One of the most exciting reasons to love one another, as John writes, is so that your prayers will be answered! "And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment" (1 John 3:22-23, NKJV). Your faith in the LORD Jesus Christ motivates your love for others which, in turn, grants you the right to ask and receive from God. Believing in Him, you will not ask inappropriately. Loving others, you will ask for that which is in their best interests. Do you see how love works to bring God's best into your life and into the lives of your family, friends, and community? A family member gets into trouble. Your are responding to God's love in your life by loving others. You see this loved one in trouble and pray to God for His help. God knows your heart and sees your love for others so He responds to your prayers. You love that family member so you will not pray for a Rolls-Royce automobile so you can go visit them. You direct your prayers to the source of the problem and God's resolution of it. You direct your prayer to the grace, mercy, healing, or wisdom of God, asking that it be given to your loved one. And God answers your prayers!

2. Love refused leads to disaster.

(12) not as Cain who was of the wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil and his brother's righteous. (1 John 3:12, NKJV)

Through the inspiration and insight of the Holy Spirit, the Apostle John provides a glimpse into the mind of Cain, the world's second murderer because Satan was a "murderer from the beginning" (John 8:44, NKJV). He did not murder Abel in a fit of rage. Cain waited for Abel, made sure he was alone in a field with him, then he killed him. It was premeditated -- thought out in advance. This is what our legal system calls "first-degree murder." Cain suffered from a big case of envy. Abel was a righteous man of God. Abel was blessed in his life with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faith, and self-control -- the fruit of the Spirit born in all believers who walk with God. Cain was jealous of his brother righteous deeds and hated him for it because his own deeds were evil. Abel's righteousness shined the light of God on Cain's life and exposed his wickedness. As Jesus explained:

19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God. (John 3:19-21, NKJV)

This is why it is so important to let your light, your love, shine before others (Matt. 5:16). Not only is it desparately needed by people but it actually helps to hold back the evil deeds of others. It stems the tide of evil in your world. Your light would expose the evil plans and wicked deeds by people at your workplace or neighborhood. So the light of your love acts as a gauntlet which will not be challenged by those who still have a twinge of conscience left. They will hate you for it, but only in secret for they do not want their wickedness exposed.

I'm reminded of a true story of some godly women who were concerned about a store in a local shopping center which sold pornography. They decided to light up that store, in particular the people who entered that store, with God's love. This may sound so trivial but nothing done in Jesus' name is trivial. They set up a lemonade and cookie stand. Several of the ladies would simply sit at the table and offer lemonade and cookies to the men who frequented the store. They didn't lecture them, preach to them, or even share the gospel (unless one of the men specifically asked). They just extended grace, courtesy, and kindness to the men. Some would not even go into the store. Others would hesitate but go in anyway. Still others would avoid the women altogether. But you know what God did? In just a few months, that store went out of business. "Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Rom. 8:37, NKJV).

3. Love revealed provides comfort when challenged.

(13) Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. (14) We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. (15) Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. (1 John 3:13-15, NKJV)

How will the world respond to your righteous love for people, especially your brothers and sisters in Christ? While you would think the world would stand up and applaud, it will hate you instead. For the reason previously listed, your righteous love is a bright light which exposes the wickedness of the world. Those who still have a conscience will hate you but in secret. Those who have seared their conscience through repeated defiance of God's will for their life, defiance of whatever light they have been given, will hate you openly. They are the ones who will challenge your motives, your plans, and your work. They will work to disrupt your every move. The Bible says, "Don't be surprised by the world's hatred of you -- they hated Jesus who was perfectly righteous so they will most certainly hate you.

Yet your love demonstrated to others gives you a certain comfort even when it is challenged in this way. John writes that:

"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren" (1 John 3:14a, NKJV). Because your are demonstrating Christ's love to others, you have confidence that you belong to Him, that you are doing the right thing.
"He who does not love his brother abides in death" (1 John 3:14b, NKJV). Know with certainty that those who exercise hatred toward others abide, not in Christ, but in death. So the hatred which challenges you is able to be put in perspective -- it is hatred against God really.

At this point, child of God, ask yourself these questions:

Is there any hatred in me toward any of my brothers and sisters in Christ?
Is there any hatred in me toward anyone in my life?

Most of us have grown up in the South or lived here for quite some time. Unfortunately, there is prejudice because of skin color or nationality. This type of hatred is all around us. Consider whether there is any vestige of this hatred in you. Have you been influenced by the culture or are you an influence for Christ redeeming the culture? Certainly, prejudice toward another does not reveal the love of Christ and does not draw your nearer to Him.

Set a clear goal for yourself this day: "I will make a conscious effort to demonstrate love toward those in my fellowship group (Sunday School class, Bible study group, etc)." Love for the brethren is critical for we are all in this together. I want to challenge you to actively seek out those you do not know that well and forge a stronger relationship. Sit with someone different each week (this may actually require you to sit in a different chair!). Call someone in the class you do not know well and just tell them you appreciate them being in the class and offer to pray for them. Encourage one another in this way. Exclude no one from your love.

4. Love redeemed acts redemptively.

(16) By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (17) But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? (18) My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. (19) And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him. (1 John 3:16-19, NKJV)

The love that the Bible speaks of here is an action: A decision of the will carried into action that meets the needs of another without any expectation of a reward. This is how we know God's love toward us that "Jesus Christ laid down His life for us" (1 John 3:16a, NIV). God loved us by acting redemptively. So now, as the redeemed of the LORD, how should we respond? We respond to God's redemptive love by acting redemptively toward others. "And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16b, NKJV). This is the "Semper Fi" mentality of a marine -- always ready, always willing, always there!

There is a special emphasis on "the brethren," your brothers and sisters in Christ. When a need arises in the body of Christ, we are to meet that need. Specifically, YOU need to meet the need if you can. An unfulfilled need that presents itself to you must be considered carefully: Can I meet that need? If you are capable of meeting the need, what does this verse teach that you should do?

Meet the need as best you can.
Alternately, if you are unable to meet the need, enlist someone who can.

If you refuse to meet the need before you,even though you could act on it, what does verse 17 teach? "But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?" (1 John 3:17, NKJV). The love of God is not in you -- a scary thought for a child of God.

Take care, be alert, listen up for needs in your fellowship group. Maybe a child is sick. Maybe work is not going well. Maybe someone has an unspoken request for prayer. Be that one to lay down your life for your brother or sister. Remember that physical needs are important. When you are starving, "I'll pray for you" does not really help -- you need food. Then you can provide for their spiritual needs. Don't let your spirituality turn into an excuse for inaction. This is not love. As John writes: "And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him" (1 John 3:16-19, NKJV). Your assurance of God's love is directly related to your demonstration of that love for others.

Another goal for you to set is in loving those who are not (yet) in the body of Christ. I would like to challenge you to reach out to your neighbors. They may be Christians involved in another church -- that's terrific! Then again, they may be unbelievers without the love of Christ and His church. This is a simple but significant thing that we as a fellowship group can do: become a prayer warrior for your neighbor. As a fellowship group, I would like us to stand in the gap for our neighbors. Specifically, here is what you can do:

Pray for courage and then go knock on your neighbor's door.
Tell them your fellowship group (Sunday School class) has taken upon itself the task of praying for their home.
If you do not know your neighbor, this is a great way to learn their names.
Tell them you and we will be praying for them each week.
Ask if their are any specific needs for which you (and we) can pray. They don't have to be real specific so don't push them. While they would not welcome an intrusion into their lives from someone they don't know well, they will have no idea of the heavenly forces which are about to intrude into their lives.
Bring these prayer requests back to church and we will pray specifically for our neighbors.

I am excited by the prospect of what God WILL do as we begin to open up doors in our neighborhoods in Jesus' name. This is a simple but, because I know God's heart, effective way to begin reaching out. Take this challenge to heart to love your neighbor,
"not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:18, NKJV).

Reflect on your life: God's love is redemptive love that brings you into the kingdom of God. You love in response to God's redemptive love, the Father's love for you. When you refuse to love others, disaster strikes. When you demonstrate love to others, you meet a genuine need and gain assurance yourself. Redeeming your time in this way reaps eternal joy for yourself and eternal consequences in God's kingdom. Pray about your commitment to "love one another" (1 John 3:11, NKJV) today!