Agape - My Favorite Kind of Love

Hi sweet friend!

Can you believe that we are in February? For some, January might have flown by in a blur. For others, it might have crawled by filled with heartache and troubles.

Today, I hope to share some good news with you that will bless your soul no matter what the past month has held for you.

Since most of our American culture focuses on love in the month of February, I thought we could take a look at the different kinds of love we experience from God and others.

Agape love. For those of you who, like me, grew up going to Sunday school, this may not be a new term. For those of you who don't know, agape love is often described as the love that comes from God...but that is only part of the picture.

Ephesians 2:4-5 says, "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—" (ESV)

In the phrase, "great love," agape is used. Here it is a noun that means "affection, good will, love, benevolence, brotherly love" (Strong's Concordance).

Think about that for a minute. God has great affection and good will toward us...."even when we were dead in our trespasses!"

This is amazing news!!!

Moving on to the next phrase "He loved us." Now the word used here is agapao...which is a verb. When used, it often means "to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, to love dearly" (Strong's Concordance).

In the coming weeks, we'll unpack these two words a little more and check out other places they are used. Yet, for now, I hope you are feeling the big spiritual hug from your Heavenly Father as He has a great affection with which He loves you dearly!

Rest in His embrace sweet friend.

~ Stephanie

StephanieMBullock.com