“See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us, that we would [be permitted to] be named and called and counted the children of God! And so we are! For this reason, the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.” 1 John 3:1 AMP

What a tremendous privilege it is to be named a child of God. The Apostle opens his letter with a challenge to the believer, “See what an incredible quality of love the Father has shown to us…” Throughout the ministry of Jesus, there was steady call for people to “come and see” the reality of the love of the Father. Notice that focus is drawn to the word love. Of course, as expected, the word “love” here is the Greek word Agape. The Greek language has three words for love. There is Philios, or brotherly love; there is Eros, or sexual love, and there is agape, unconditional love. The first two are generally driven by conditional circumstances of motivation. The third is an expression of unconditional response. It is love for love’s sake! In the Old Testament the Hebrew word means “to have pity for the needy and exclusively used to describe the love of God for His people. The prophet Ezekiel records the statement of God about His people after they abandoned Him.

“When I passed by you and saw you squirming in your [newborn] blood, I said to you while you were there in your blood, ‘Live!’ Yes, I said to you while you were there in your blood, ‘Live” Ezekiel 16:6 AMP

Even during their rebellion God’s love was still toward them! It reminds me of the verse in the New Testament,

“While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly. 7Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to willingly give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a good man [one who is noble and selfless and worthy] someone might even dare to die. 8But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:6-8 AMP

Agape love proves and proves itself again and again. It seeks not its own fulfilment but pays the prices every time! When Jesus was talking to Peter He asked him an interesting question. 

So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these [others do–with total commitment and devotion]?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Feed My lambs.” 16Again He said to him a second time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with total commitment and devotion]?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Shepherd My sheep.” 17He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of John, do you love Me [with a deep, personal affection for Me, as for a close friend]?” Peter was grieved that He asked him the third time, “Do you [really] [c]love Me [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend]?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know everything; You know that I love You [with a deep, personal affection, as for a close friend].” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.”  John 21:15-17 AMP

What is missing in the English is the importance of the Greek! In this discourse, Jesus asks Peter the first time, “do you agape Me?” His response was, “you know that I phileis You.” The same question and response came again, “do you agape Me?” His response was, “you know that I phileis You.” Finally, the third time Jesus asks, do you philies Me?” His response was, “you know that I phileis You.”

The point here is that man cannot walk agape love! As best we try, sin rears its ugly head and ruins everything. I pray that each and every day, in each and every way you are experiencing the agape love if Christ. It isn’t measuring you on your performance, or perfection, it is simply saying I love you, My child. That is what motivate us to live more and ore in the image of Christ in our lives so that those who see us give honor and glory to Him. Have a blessed day, Pastor Ken