Unique to the human vocabulary, the term for God's love "agape" is found only in the Bible. The nature of God's love stands in stark
contrast to the only other Greek terms for love, "phileō," "erōs," and "storge," which are usually conditional and often involve some
form of personal benefit.
For God so loved (agapaō) the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him
shall not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)
With this act, the holy God makes a self sacrificing act for the unholy demonstrating an unfathomable depth of "agapē"
love for His "good creation."
John’s prologue provides a dimension of time that contributes to the incomprehensible depth of God's "agapē" love
(John 1:1-4). As Jesus is the means of expressing God's love, His preexistence before
His birth infers that God’s love was His purpose from the very beginning.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with
God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and
the life was the Light of men. (John 1:1-4)
Of all of the supernatural characteristics of God, Believers are asked to mimic only one - His "agapē" love
(1 John 3:16). Jesus explicitly explains that "agapē love is really about in two
commands:
Jesus replied: "'Love (agapaō) the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with
all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love (agapaō) your neighbor as yourself.'
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matt 22:37-40)
In view of His Son’s sacrifice and these two commandments, the primary purpose of "agapē" love is initial salvation
for non-Believers and sanctification salvation for Believers. God's character of "agapē" love provided the means and motive by which one
may be obliged to fulfill God's command, "be holy for I am holy" (1 Pet 1:16).
To learn more, see:
God is Love
How does the Holy Spirit sanctify human beings?
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