excerpt from "Let's Talk About Love - Again"
1st Corinthians 13
The word most often used in Scripture for Christian love is the word agape and has itself become a familiar English word. Agape is the Greek word for love in I Corinthians 13. Agape is best described as “unconditional love.” Agape love embraces the intellect as well as the emotions. Agape love is a decision of the will that says, “By the power of the Holy Spirit living and working in me, I choose to love this way.”
Agape love always gives, never expecting anything in return. Agape is not based on any mutual attraction for the object of its affection. It is love that loves the unlovable, love that loves those that may by all outward appearances be unattractive indeed. Agape love knows no limits; it sets no boundaries.
When we love agape style, we always look out for the wellbeing of those we love placing their interests before our own. Agape love follows in the footsteps of Jesus.
Agape love is the self sacrificial love of Jesus who left His heavenly throne to die on the cross for us “while we were still sinners,” when we were at our worst, when we were most unlovable. Just as the love of Jesus always looks out for our welfare and best interest, so when we love each other with agape love, we will look out for the welfare and best interest of others.
Pastor Lorah Houser Jankord 
January 31, 2010
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