Agape Love - “Unconditional” love!  Wow this is a tough one!  Who do you know that seriously loves you unconditionally at all times?   Who do you love unconditionally at all times?  Well, I fall short.  To love unconditionally at all times would require me to forget about my self for a moment, and sometimes I have to admit I fall short and self gets in the way.  I rarely feel that I’m loved unconditionally.  Don’t take me wrong, I have several people in my life that I know love me and I love them too, but unconditionally at all times…?

In our culture unfortunately we are constantly weighed and measured - that sounds conditional to me?   Sometimes we can get down because we feel unloved, or loved based on conditions.  And unfortunately this may be true in the world in which we live.  But there is one who loves you and me “unconditionally” - Jesus Christ!  He says come just as you are!  He says I “came to heal the brokenhearted and set the captive free!”  Jesus says, “come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” (cf. Matthew 11:28)   Jesus died for you so that your sins can be forgiven.  No one else could do this - only God’s “only begotten Son!”  You and I don’t deserve forgiveness.  Neither can we buy it or earn it!  Wow - what a marvelous thing - God’s unconditional love!  God desires to extend His unconditional love to others through you and me.  To love others unconditionally even when we feel loved conditionally.  Jesus gave a perfect example of Agape love in the parable of the Good Samaritan.  In this parable the Samaritan manifested his love for a complete stranger that was left for dead by sacrificially taking care of him, expecting nothing in return (cf. Luke 10: 25-37).   What’s interesting at the end of this parable Jesus says, “Go and do likewise.”   This is not contradicting Jesus’ unconditional love for you and me, but the extension of His unconditional love for others manifested through you and me!  Wow - how awesome is our God and Savior!  Don’t get down - God loves you and He desires to love others through you - unconditionally!

In His Service,

Pastor Rodney