Agape Love Reciprocated

Agape Love Reciprocated  

After His resurrection, Jesus appeared to the disciples at the Sea of Galilee's shore, asking Peter three times if Peter loved Him. 

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again, Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon, son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. (John 21: 15-17)

The first two questions, “Do you love me? " in Greek, Jesus used the word “agape” which refers to God’s divine, unconditional love. Both times, Peter responded, “I love you,” using the Greek word “phileo,” which refers to a brotherly kind of love. When asked the third time, Jesus Himself used the word “phileo” and received a “phileo” response from Peter again. At that time, Peter’s love for Jesus was truly brotherly (phileo). Peter was honest. He just had failed to display agape love for Jesus, denying him three times. Peter recognized that his “phileo” love for Jesus could not match Jesus’ “agape” love for Peter. Peter could not love on an agape level. 

Jesus didn’t scold Peter for not being able to love him with agape love. He knew that this would soon change. In retrospect, Peter understood, too, because, after his transformation, his letters breathed agape love for his brothers and sisters in Christ. He also urged all to exhibit agape love (1 Peter 1:22,23; 2:17; 4:8; 5:4; 2 Peter 1:7). What caused the change of Apostle Peter’s preference of word choice? How did Apostle Peter move from “phileo” love to “agape love”? It is simple. Both occasions are separated by a watershed moment, an event that divided the human understanding of God and His Kingdom before and after—the giving of the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. 

The disciples learned and practiced under Jesus for three years, yet their knowledge was not internalized. Jesus granted them occasional power and authority to minister the gospel to others (Luke 10:1-18), but they had not yet experienced the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. Before His resurrection, Jesus promised to send the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, who will remind them of His teachings and instruct them in the deep things of God (John 14:25-26). Only upon the Holy Spirit's indwelling power could the Apostle Peter reciprocate with agape love for the agape love of Jesus. This same agape love Apostle Peter was now urging his followers to pursue. 

Attaining agape love is the prerequisite for Eternity with God. God is love—God is agape (1 John 4:8). We are made after His own image and likeness. Agape love was part of God’s initial divine design. Humanity lost the capacity to agape love in the Garden of Eden but Jesus restored it on the cross. Through sanctification, we attain agape love anew; we regain the capacity to reciprocate with agape love. Because God is agape, we become agape also. Mutual agape love is the solidifying component of being EHAD with God.

The presence of agape love attest to transformative, enduring faith in the believer’s life (1Corinthians 13:5). It is a new, higher level of spiritual maturity. Jesus repeatedly equated agape love with obedience to His commandments. 

Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. (John 14:21) 

Obedience to the Law of God attest to the impartation of Christ’s righteousness through which He enables us to obey His commandments. Loving Jesus with agape love is a display of higher level of spiritual maturity, a level of spiritual growth at which the Law of God is inscribed in the heart (Romans 2:12-16; 1Corinthians 3:3; Ezekiel 11:19). At this level of maturity, the Law becomes a permanent character trait. The command to “Love the Lord with all your heart, all your soul, with all your strength (Matthew 22:37-39) is not a fearful obligation anymore; to love God on agape level becomes the greatest delight in life. 

In becoming EHAD with Jesus, which is sanctification and transformation in His image, you have so internalized God’s Law that it has become your nature. You have arrived at a new mountain top of height, a new exhilarating flight of the human spirit at which you can truly experience Heaven on Earth. At this point, Scripture refers to the believers who have achieved this spiritual maturity as becoming the Bride of Christ who had made herself ready for her groom. 

Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear. (Revelation 19:7-8)

 Apostle Paul describes the required spiritual condition of becoming the Bride of Christ.

To present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. (Ephesians 5:27)

Holiness and purity are signs of spiritual maturity of becoming EHAD with Christ. Without holiness, no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). The grand finale in the Scripture reaches a crescendo with the image of the betrothal unity of Christ and His Bride, the Church, as we truly become EHAD.

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let him who hears say, “Come.” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:17)

Even more, this elevated state of spiritual maturity comes with the promise of the agape love of the Father for those who agape love the Son. 

The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to him. If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. (John 14:21-24)

Agape love is not only our sanctification but our glorification. Without sanctification, we cannot be transformed and without transformation we cannot be glorified.  Apostle Paul concluded:

The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed in us. (Romans 8:18)

When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)

Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body. (Philippians 3:20–21)

Believers on this side of history, when the giving of the Holy Spirit had already happened, are without excuse. We, who have Jesus’ words, the Holy Scripture, and the Holy Spirit, can understand and acquire this amazing agape love. How do we, then, measure our own growth in agape love? 

Task: In light of the discussion on agape love, reread 1 Corinthians 13, but this time, say your name instead of reading the word “love.” For example, “Mary is patient or John is kind.” Notice the qualities of character that do not befit you. What are you going to do to change that? Discuss your thoughts.

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The quality of love that doesn't describe you is the undead flesh, still having a hold on your life. It must be renounced, taken to the cross, and crucified so that the new, Christ-like nature be inscribed as a part of your permanent, holy character