Love One Another As I Have Loved You
by Mihran Kulhanjian
My dear Friends,
The word agape is an ancient Greek word. The word is a form or expression of a type of love, a type of charity. This kind of love is a love man [a born again child of God] has for God and God has for man, His creation. This is not a love of emotion, attraction, sentimentality, brotherly love or a love of familiarity. Agape love is an unselfish love. It is a love that asks for nothing in return. It is a love that cares and protects. This love is the love God has and wants us to have. It is a love of faithfulness, sacrifice and commitment; a love that wants to help others, and does, and wants always the best for others. The two great Commandments Jesus gave us expresses this love:
"Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40).
Love that comes from a pure heart is expressed as agape love. In 1 Timothy 1-5, the Paul stated:
"Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith."
As believers we should be compelled to love. This love is a choice. We love or we do not. Do you have a pure love in your heart to help those who need help? Do you have a sincere love to help orphans, widows, the oppressed, the lost and the spiritually blinded, the nation of Israel and the chosen people of God. Is your love pure?
Paul says it clearing in Romans 13:8-10:
"Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,”“You shall not murder,”“You shall not steal,”“You shall not bear false witness,”“You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law."
Indeed, love is the fulfillment of God's law--all of it. Will you love as God loves? Will you set aside anger, hate and indifference? An unforgiving heart cannot truly love. You must forgive all who have ever harmed you. Love begins by forgiving. After Jesus showed us how to pray in Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus stated in Matthew 6:14-15:
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses".
Forgiveness is important. Not only does Jesus state forgiving others in the Lord's Prayer but He repeats it right after the Prayer. Let's begin by forgiving and loving one another as the Lord Jesus Christ commanded:
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another" (John 13:34).
How do you forgive someone? Forgiveness is a decision. You make a decision to forgive. That's it. It is a choice you make. Forgive and forget. Jesus said forgive. So, you forgive. Do not let pride, pettiness or selfish or immaturity hold you back from forgiving others. The only one you hurt is yourself when you do not forgive. You forgive and you forget. If you do not forgive others, God will not forgive you. Why should He? He wants you holy, to be like Jesus, to be His child. You cannot continue to be God's child if you disagree what He wants you do to. Hold no bitterness toward anyone. And try not to forget what Jesus said on the cross. As He was dying He said: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do" (Luke 23:34). When people hurt other people, they do not know exactly what they are doing. Hurting someone is satanic and Satan himself wants you to feel pain, to feel bitter and be unforgiving. Satan wants you to take vengeance on people, to separate, isolate and hate all who have hurt you. Unforgiving people hurt continuously by holding onto feelings that are not godly. God says "Vengeance is mine" [Deuteronomy 32:35]. And the Apostle Paul affirms "Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord" (Romans 12:19; Hebrews 10:30)
We cannot be separated from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord:
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“For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is i Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).
We cannot be separated from God's love, but we can turn and not accept His love, and many, many do. They want no part of God. They do not want to be subject to God nor yield to Him. Self-centered and the pride of life [1 John 2:16] have consumed many in this perverse generation.
"For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world" (1 John 2:16).
The lust of the fresh [gratifying physical desires]. The lust of the eyes [the non-physical, covetousness, worshiping the god of materialism]. The pride of life [the unyielding self-centered and pride in possessions and status in the world]. Oh yes, " Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty [arrogant] spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18). Are you consumed or preoccupying by the lust of the fresh, the lust of the eyes and the prided of life? Examine yourself and be careful. Are you living for God or yourself? Are you fulfilling God's will or do you want God to yield to you and your will? It's time to straighten up, make your path straight. Love God, and soften your heart to love others; for you are commanded by God to love.