Godly Love Handout

Godly Love handout, αγαπη agape, αγαπαω agapao

©Tod Kennedy, knowbelieveapply.com; todkennedy.com

A brief survey of biblical particulars about godly love—God’s sacrificial love in and through the believer.

  1. God is love, and the source of godly love.
    1. God loves all people because he created people in his image (Genesis 1.26-28; Psalm 8:4; 1 John 4:16-19; John 3.16).
    2. God’s sacrificial love to man is also the pattern for how believers love (John 15.13; 1 John 3.16; 1 John 4.10, 11, 19; Ephesians 5.1-2). This love depends on the one loving, not the one loved.
    3. God is the source of a believer’s godly love. (Galatians 5:22; 1 John 4:7-10).
    4. God’s love for believers makes it possible for believers to live with hope (Romans 5:5).
  2. Believers are to live in godly love.
    1. Believers should love his neighbor because God has commanded it (Matthew 22.36-40).
    2. Believers should love other believers (John 13.34-35; 1 Thessalonians 4.9; 1 John 3.11,14,18,23; 1 John 4.11, 21; and others).
    3. Godly love is a fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5.22; Romans 5.5).
    4. Fellowship with God and living by the Holy Spirit are necessary for God’s love to be evident (Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:16-23).
    5. Bible doctrine is the teacher and leader of godly love (1 Peter 1.22; Philippians 1.9).
    6. Compatibility or friendship love (philos φιλος, phileo φιλεω) is different, is personal, and is for certain people (Luke 15.6; John 15.13-15; 19.12; Acts 19.31).
  3. Characteristics of godly love.
    1. Godly love desires God’s will and God’s best in and for the object loved. It is different from “liking” or “approving” of or “agreeing” with someone. Jesus did not “like” everyone (every Pharisee for example), but he loved all people including all Pharisees. Godly love begins as an attitude and expresses itself in good manners, thoughtfulness, good behavior, responsibility, sacrifice, protection, and even correction (1 Corinthians 13.4-7; Galatians 5.13; 1 John 3.17-18).
    2. Godly love (agape αγαπη, agapao αγαπαω) is for all and does not depend upon the merit, attraction, compatibility, rapport, familiarity, acquaintance, or agreement with the object (Romans 5.8; Ephesians 2.4; Matthew 5.43-44; Luke 6.27, 35; 1 John 3.23).
    3. There are four practical Ps of godly love: a product (Galatians 5.22; Romans 5.5), a problem solver (Proverbs 10.12; 1 Corinthians 13.4-7; 1 Peter 4.8), a protector (1 Corinthians 13.4-7; 1 Peter 4.8), and a producer (1 Corinthians 13.4-7; Galatians 5.13). God’s love is a fruit or product of the Holy Spirit, and if applied will solve problems and bring about forgiveness between people, protect people from mental and verbal attacks, and produce God’s good through believers (1 Pet 4.8).
    4. Paul set forth the leading characteristics of God’s love expressed through believers in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. Love is patient, kind and helpful, not jealous, does not brag, is not arrogant, does not act with bad manners, is not self-centered, is not easily irritated, does not hold grudges, is not happy when evil triumphs, is happy when truth triumphs, covers the sins and failures of others, believes the best because God is creator, ruler, and gracious, hopes or is biblically optimistic because God has a plan, endures and does not quit under pressure because God is just, faithful, and compassionate. Paul’s lesson was especially needed and appropriate for the Corinthians.
    5. As we believers mature in the faith, we are more able to apply God’s love. God’s love is in us and from that we love others. We think of others first and do for them that which is good and needed, even when it is inconvenient, difficult, or dangerous for us (1 John 4:19; John 15:13; 1 Thessalonians 3:12; 2 John 5-6, Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7).
    6. Godly love includes responsibility which is being accountable to God, to doctrinal principles, and to one’s level of spiritual growth; protection of others by way of verbal protection (what we say), mental protection (our thoughts), and physical protection; self-control which relates to sacrifice, responsibility, and protection; good manners and thoughtfulness; and thankfulness to God and people in our lives, for their help, support, sacrifice, protection, learning, and so on. See the above Scripture.
    7. We know that Scripture commands us to apply godly love. Do we, by the power of the Holy Spirit, obey Scripture (John 13:34-35; 2 John 5-6; Ephesians 5.2)?