Agape God’s Love

1. What is the definition of Charity?

CHARITY, Websters Dictionary:

1. In a general sense, love, benevolence, good will; that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men, and to do them good. In a theological sense, it includes supreme love to God, and universal good will to men.
2. In a more particular sense, love, kindness, affection, tenderness, springing from natural relations; as the charities of father, son and brother.
3. Liberality to the poor, consisting in almsgiving or benefactions, or in gratuitous services to relieve them in distress.
4. Alms; whatever is bestowed gratuitously on the poor for their relief.
5. Liberality in gifts and services to promote public objects of utility, as to found and support bible societies, missionary societies, and others.
6. Candor; liberality in judging of men and their actions; a disposition which inclines men to think and judge favorably, and to put the best construction on words and actions which the case will admit. The highest exercise of charity, is charity towards the uncharitable.
7. Any act of kindness, or benevolence; as the charities of life.
8. A charitable institution. Charity-school, is a school maintained by voluntary contributions for educating poor children.

2. Are the best gifts the best way?

But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. 1Cor 12:31

3. What is the more excellent way?

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity (agape), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity (agape), I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity (agape), it profiteth me nothing. 1Cor 13:1-3

4. What is the character of charity (agape)?

Charity (agape) suffereth long, and is kind; charity (agape) envieth not; charity (agape) vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity (agape) never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1Cor 13:4-12

5. Which is the greatest: Faith, Hope or Charity?

And now abideth faith, hope, charity (agape), these three; but the greatest of these is charity (agape). 1Cor 13:13

6. Do we have any examples in the Bible of charity (agape)?

And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the apostles’ feet. Acts 4:32-37

7. If anyone doesn’t (unselfishly) love his neighbor, can that person (unselfishly) love God?

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. 1John 4:20 ESV

8. Can we add a word to clarify the above verse?

If anyone says, “I (unselfishly) love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not (unselfishly) love his brother whom he has seen cannot (unselfishly) love God whom he has not seen. 1John 4:20

9. Is charity (agape) a description of God’s character?

for God is love (agape). 1John 4:8

Note: Agapao is simply the action word for agape.

10. What did Jesus say about this selfless character?

Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love (agapao) thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love (agapao) your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. For if ye love (agapao) them which love (agapao) you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matt 5:38-48

11. What does it mean to be perfect?

Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Luke 6:36

12. How far will this selfless love (agape) go to help others?

Greater love (agape) hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13

13. What is the best example of this pure unselfish love?

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Luke 23:33-34

14. Can we say that we (unselfishly) love God if we do not have His selfless character?

He that loveth (agapao) not knoweth not God; for God is love (agape). 1John 4:8

15. What will convict all men that we are disciples of Jesus?

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love (agape) one to another. John 13:35

16. What is one of the signs of the end of the world?

And because iniquity shall abound, the love (agape) of many shall wax cold. Matt 24:12

NOTE: This verse is in response to the disciples asking Jesus what shall be the signs of the end of the world. Verse 3.

Also for someone’s love to wax or grow cold, the person must have had love (agape) before it could grow cold. Because if it is cold out in the evening and you go out in the morning you do not say its getting cold but rather: It is still cold. Therefore the people whose love (agape) will grow cold is Christians.

17. What is Jesus’ advice to do in this situation?

As the Father hath loved (agapao) me, so have I loved (agapao) you: continue ye in my love (agape). If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love (agape); even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love (agape). John 15:9-10

18 How long do we need to hang onto His love (agape)?

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matt 24:13

19. What must we endure in?

And because iniquity shall abound, the love (agape) of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Matt 24:12-13

20. If the love (agape) of the churches will grow cold: then which church should we follow?

These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. Rev 14:4

NOTE: It is commonly known that in prophecy a woman represents a church based on “Jer 6:2 I have likened the daughter of Zion to a comely and delicate woman.” So the people here spoken of are not defiled by the different churches whose love is growing cold. If you think about it how many of these churches would let Jesus in if He came to their church? But according to Rev 3:20 Jesus Himself says “Behold I stand at the door and knock” so if He stands at the door that means He is waiting to be allowed in.

21. If we do not follow a denomination or church body, then who do we follow?

These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. Rev 14:4

22. Then were should we record the names of all our church members?

Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. Luke 10:20

To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, Heb 12:23

And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise. Luke 10:25-37