Bottom Line: Jesus-like love is the most powerful force in the universe.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8

Love (agape)

Agape is an unconditional, self-sacrifice, others-centered, chose-based kind of love. It’s the kind of love Jesus demonstrated on Calvary, and the kind of love followers of Jesus are called to embody.

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
1 John 3:16

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:1-2

Agape is not about getting your way, but giving your life away.

Never (oudepote)

Fails (piptei)

Love is never defeated.

Love endures forever.

Jesus-like love can never be defeated.

Paul is NOT saying that love will always get its way.

The problem: We often care more about getting our way than being loving.

The means we employ other than love occur along a spectrum.

We can appear loving while actually being controlling. We can be nice and manipulative at the same time.

See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne
Revelation 5:5-6

The cross reveals that love is the most powerful force in the world.

• The cross reveals God’s love
• The cross reveals God’s power
• The cross reveals that love never fails

Jesus-like love is the litmus test of faithfulness to the way of Jesus.

Action Steps

Prayerful Reflection

• Where in my life do I most quickly give up on living in love?
• Where in my life do I justify means other than love to secure outcomes?
• Where is Jesus inviting me to be persistent and faithful in love?
  

Practice

Catch and interrogate a moment when you’re frustrated by someone who isn’t conforming to your will.  

• Notice a moment when you abandon love for control?
• Why did you reach for control?  What was driving you (fear, anxiety, pride, etc.)?
• What would it look like to remain present with Jesus-like love?