Agape is the primary characteristic of God that is instilled in us when we become his children (Rom. 5:5). It is not emotional love nor does it expect anything in return like other kinds of love. Rather it is a characteristic of concern for the other, of empathy, giving, helping, and doing what God wants [...]

We are a spirit, we have a soul, and we live in a body (1Thes. 5:23). When we ask to be delivered from the hand of the Evil One by the saving grace of God through Jesus Christ, then our old spirit nature is crucified with Christ and we get a new spirit linked eternally [...]

In the last lesson we began a discussion of Rom. 12-15, which outlive Agape as lived practically in the Christian life. 12:1 says, I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] [...]

We’ve taken 20 lesson to discuss a number of the aspects of what Agape is not. We didn’t cover all of the many “not” facets of Agape, but by this time I think everyone has a good idea of what is not. But simply knowing what Agape is not, is not enough. Agape must be [...]

God’s love, His Agape, is not shy. But neither is it pushy and belligerent. It is always willing and ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us. A gentle and logical answer (1Peter 3:15). One directed by the Holy Spirit, not one that we’ve created to make ourselves look good or [...]

Agape does not believe in the “good” in people; it instills good in people. The New Age movement, which by the way is certainly anything but new, would have us believe that all people are inherently “good,” and that given the right opportunities, they can express that good to the benefit of all humankind. Boy [...]

Agape is not passive, it is active; it presents the gospel and obeys God at all times. It is important to understand that God’s nature in us does not make us totally laid back, simply allowing others to do as they want and “what ever will be will be.” As the driving characteristic of God, [...]

As we continue our study of Agape, we need to pause from time to time and dwell on a point or two that’s already been made. That’s what we’re going to do in this lesson. Agape is not something we do for or to others, it is something that we are. And Agape is not [...]

God’s love is not unconditional. At the same time it is unconditional. This is not an unsolvable conundrum; it simply depends upon the topic of discussion. Let me explain. God’s Agape causes Him to extend the same offer of salvation to every person. In fact, it is His desire that all humans be rescued from [...]

Tradition is a good thing because it passes information from one generation to the next. Tradition is a bad thing because it passes information from one generation to the next. Tradition never questions the information it passes, it just passes it. So if the information is good, then the tradition is good. But on the [...]