The power of God's love

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” 1 Corinthians 13:7-8a (ESV)

We often toss around the word love like it’s nothing, simultaneously “loving” chocolate and our families. But perhaps therein lies the problem, for the love Paul refers to in this passage goes beyond our fickle, fragile definition.

Paul uses the Greek word agape — three syllables that carry the weight of love’s highest and most holy form. Agape is the love God graciously pours out on us: pure, unconditional and given for our greatest good. Indeed, God is the very source of agape love. 1 John 4:7 tells us, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God” (ESV).