1st Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 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, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
This passage of scripture shows us that it is possible to manifest a form of godliness that seems to have the divine credentials, without the gold of true love at its core. Speaking in tongues and charitable contributions are all well and good, but if they spring from any other motive other than genuine charity, they are worthless in the sight of God even though there are many such instances where individuals might actually benefit form these manifestations. For instance, Hitler was very instrumental in the formation of the humane society, which focuses on the rescue and preservation of unfortunate animals, an activity which in and of itself is good. But the same Hitler brutally murdered millions of innocent Jews, and took satanic delight in their untimely demise, brought on by his own nefarious executions.
The gift of agape love however is manifested uniformly across the entire spectrum of the true Christian's experience, and runs the gamut of the underprivileged and unfortunate, to those who are extremely wealthy, and who seem to be in need of nothing. In other words, the love that is born of God knows no boundaries and is no respecter of persons, but is manifested to all without bias or regard to race, creed, religious affiliation or political orientation. Love is love and when it comes to us as a gift through Jesus Christ, it will spring forth spontaneously from within, without having to be coerced, bribed, applauded, or pandered to.
This type of love is what was manifested to the human family through Christ, who took the initiative of bearing our sins and punishment, by dying on the cross for us when we were not His friends, but rather His enemies. The grace of Christ was manifested to save to the uttermost, any member of the human family who would be willing to be saved, and who would by faith, follow the instructions for the facilitation of God's redeeming grace in their lives. His grace is uniformly extended to the most notorious of criminals, and would have been given to Bin Laden, Hitler, and members of the mafia as well. The beauty of agape love is that it sees and recognizes the potential in everyone, and sets in motion heavenly agencies to retrieve, restore, and bring to perfection those who may have previously been considered as unworthy. Let's read:
Romans 5:7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
As Christians, it is therefore imperative that we submit ourselves to God so that the love which comes from above may find sweet exercise in our interactions with one another. Not only should we love those that love us, but like Christ, the principle should extend evenly to all those we meet in the thoroughfares of life, for when agape love is manifested on a consistent basis, the world at large gets a clearer view of the God we claim to serve, and people are thus encouraged to give Him their lives. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to surrender our old nature to God, so that it may be replaced with the fragrance of Christ's perfect righteousness. Let's read:
1st John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
May God add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!