The Agapé Road

 

In our Christian lives and Christian walk; which begins when we become born again and have repented of our sin and have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour; from ‘babies’ to ‘maturity’, we walk a road that is ordained by God in His infinite and everlasting agapé love.

As we walk this road (God’s Road for us – what I call The Agapé Road) we often slip and go astray, we deviate from the road that God has willed for us through our sin, yes even as born again believers we still sin, I’m speaking from experience. During these times it becomes necessary for God to discipline us in love in order to bring us back into full fellowship with Him.

In this article I have attempted to show and explain, using scripture, how God’s Road, or way of agapé love leads and guides us in our walk to Christian maturity. I will also attempt to show how his love is all encompassing and is inclusive of His judgement, His justice, His discipline and the things He hates! If we don’t know what He hates, how will we know what to avoid like the plague? God is our everlasting Father, and all His ways are just! His love endures forever!

Deuteronomy 32:3-4 (AMP)

3 “For I proclaim the name [and presence] of the Lord;

Ascribe greatness and honor to our God!

4 “The Rock! His work is perfect,

For all His ways are just;

A God of faithfulness without iniquity (injustice),

Just and upright is He.

On The Agapé Road, and if we are really serious about our commitment to follow Jesus as our Lord and saviour, we will encounter with absolute certainty, all aspects of God’s love!

Only those of us that are born again in Christ Jesus are eligible to walk The Agapé Road. The prophet Isaiah describes it as ‘the Way of Holiness.’

Isaiah 35:8-10 (NIV)

8 And a highway will be there;

it will be called the Way of Holiness;

it will be for those who walk on that Way.

The unclean will not journey on it;

wicked fools will not go about on it.

9 No lion will be there,

nor any ravenous beast;

they will not be found there.

But only the redeemed will walk there,

10 and those the Lord has rescued will return.

They will enter Zion with singing;

everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

Let’s examine together The Agapé Road in respect of God’s all-embracing love in its four main characteristics! His unconditional love, His discipline in love, His Judgement in Love and the antithesis of His love – what He hates!

1: God’s unconditional love – his everlasting love, grace and mercy.

John 3:16 (NIV)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)

 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 

1 Peter 1:3-5 (AMP)

3 Blessed [gratefully praised and adored] be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant and boundless mercy has caused us to be born again [that is, to be reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] to an ever-living hope and confident assurance through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 [born anew] into an inheritance which is imperishable [beyond the reach of change] and undefiled and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 5 who are being protected and shielded by the power of God through your faith for salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.

Whenever the New Testament writers are referring to God’s love, they use the Greek word ‘agapē’ – pronounced ‘ag-ah-pay’ which, when expanded to its full meaning, is translated in English as ‘a love that is unconditional, benevolent, charitable and freely given’ - we don’t have to do anything to earn it or give anything in return for it, we just need to receive it.

1 John 4:7-8 (NIV)

7 Dear friends, let us love one another (our brothers and sisters in Christ), for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ in this way no matter who they are or what they have done? The love the World tends to display is love that is lustful and of the flesh. It is self-seeking and self-satisfying; in fact it is self-orientated in every way! Quite the exact opposite to the selfless love of God – the love that God expects His Church to display towards each other in Christ Jesus!

As we receive God’s agapē love, so it is our duty as God’s children to show His love to others in all we do as part of our service to Him.

The Apostle Paul says this in 1 Corinthians 14:1 (AMP)

Pursue [this] love [with eagerness, make it your goal], yet earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts [to be used by believers for the benefit of the church], but especially that you may prophesy [to foretell the future, to speak a new message from God to the people].

Other bible versions say, ‘follow the way of love and eagerly desire the spiritual gifts.’ Follow the way of love! Yes, indeed, but not just any kind of love, only God’s love which looks like this:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails.

God is love and all that He does is out of love, even His correction, discipline, judgement and what He hates is born out of His perfect agapé love! The Apostle Paul urges us as God’s Church, as His children, to let everything we do be motivated by God’s (agapé) love and if we do not have this kind of love for others then nothing we can do or say will have any kind of true spiritual meaning! We will not be true followers of Christ!

1 Corinthians 16:14 (AMP)

Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us].

1 Corinthians 13:1-3 (NIV)

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

This is the love that brought our salvation to us in Christ Jesus. This is the love that God expects us to have for each other! This is the love that Jesus talks about in Matthew 22:36-40 (AMP):

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 And Jesus replied to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others].’ 40 The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.”

And if we do not love our Christian family in the way God does, we have a problem! Just have a look at what 1 John 4:20 (AMP) says about this:

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates (works against) his [Christian] brother he is a liar; for the one who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen.

Step 2: God’s discipline

Because God is love He disciplines those He loves, those who are His children and have accepted Jesus as their Lord and Saviour and have repented from their sin!

Hebrews 12:6 (NIV)

because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”[Proverbs 3:11-12]

The Bible describes born-again Christians as God’s children, His sons, and daughters and so He disciplines us in love so that we do not go astray and fall into wickedness once again and to bring us back to Him when we do go astray!

Romans 8:16 (AMP)

The Spirit Himself testifies and confirms together with our spirit [assuring us] that we [believers] are children of God.

Proverbs 13:24 (NIV)

Whoever spares the rod hates their children,

but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.

So here we see that God’s love involves discipline and, with everything that God does, it is for our benefit!

Now, why does God discipline those that are His?

The answer is quite simple, because His discipline in His love brings out the fruit of peace and righteousness in us which is right standing with God. In other words, it helps us to become more like Jesus and more conformed to the Son’s image! God’s discipline helps us to live a life worthy of our salvation and to live a life that is conformed to the teachings of His Word! God’s discipline shows us the error of sinful living and adjusts our actions back to righteousness in Christ Jesus when we do fall back into the realm of the flesh and deviate from the realm of the Spirit!

Hebrews 12:11 (AMP)

For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems sad and painful; yet to those who have been trained by it, afterwards it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness [right standing with God and a lifestyle and attitude that seeks conformity to God’s will and purpose].

In the verse above the writer of Hebrews uses the word ‘trained’ by God’s discipline. The Greek word for ‘trained’ here is ‘gumnazó’ (pronounced goom-nad-zo) and refers to the way in which a professional and dedicated athlete trains and is trained.

If I can use this analogy. As born again and Spirit filled Christians, we the Church, are members of God’s team. Jesus is our Captain, and the Holy Spirit is our trainer. Just as an athlete is trained according to the trainer’s rigorous programme which includes personal discipline, so too is the Christian when He is disciplined by God under the coaching of the Holy Spirit to keep us in the will of the Father. In this way we are all trained by the Holy Spirit to become an effective and powerful Spirit filled Church that brings glory, honour and praise to Jesus and light to a dark world!

Step 3: God’s judgement

All men, including born again Christians, are born once to die and once to face judgement. We will all have to stand before God and give an account of ourselves.

Hebrews 9:27 (NIV)

Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,

Romans 14:12 (KJV)

So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

Matthew 12:36-37 (NIV)

36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

2 Corinthians 5:10 (AMP)

For we [believers will be called to account and] must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be repaid for what has been done in the body, whether good or bad [that is, each will be held responsible for his actions, purposes, goals, motives—the use or misuse of his time, opportunities and abilities].

Step 4: God’s hate

So, let’s look at God’s hate this way, if God is love then it stands to reason that He would hate anything that is contrary to His love. What is contrary to love? Anything or anyone that is evil and acts contrary to His Word! In this same vein God cannot love evil nor the perpetrators of evil as that would be contrary to His loving nature.

Let’s have a look at what the Psalmist says about God’s relationship with the unrepentant sinner.

Psalm 5:4-5 (AMP)

4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;

No evil [person] dwells with You.

5 The boastful and the arrogant will not stand in Your sight;

You hate all who do evil.

Psalm 5 was written by King David (the man after God’s own heart) and in it, David is praying to God and asking for his help against his (David’s) enemies, and he reminds God of who He is! Hence in verses 4 and 5 he says that God does not tolerate wickedness and He hates all those who do evil

So, the statement, “God hates the sin but loves the sinner” is not Biblical. The only sinner that God loves is the repentant sinner who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. This is why mankind needs a Saviour – it’s all about Jesus! Jesus is the only name by which mankind can be saved! If God loves the unrepentant sinner, then Jesus died for nothing - there would be no need for a Saviour!

Acts 4:11-12 (AMP)

11 This Jesus is the stone which was despised and rejected by you, the builders, but which became the chief Cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among people by which we must be saved [for God has provided the world no alternative for salvation].”

In Proverbs 6 the author, King Solomon, tells us about the things that God hates. There are seven things he mentions that God hates and that are an abomination to Him.

Proverbs 6:16-19 (AMP)

16 These six things the Lord hates;

Indeed, seven are repulsive to Him:

17 A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others], a lying tongue,

And hands that shed innocent blood,

18 A heart that creates wicked plans,

Feet that run swiftly to evil,

19 A false witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths],

And one who spreads discord (rumours) among brothers.

When we look carefully at the seven things mentioned we see that they all stem from one source, the father of sin who is Satan himself!

Proverbs 6 Verse 17

1. Pride:
Satan’s pride was his downfall and the reason why he was expelled from heaven.

Isaiah 14:13-14 (KJV)

13 For thou (Satan) hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:

14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.

God opposes the proud and gives abundant grace to the humble!

James 4:6 (AMP)

But He gives us more and more grace [through the power of the Holy Spirit to defy sin and live an obedient life that reflects both our faith and our gratitude for our salvation]. Therefore, it says, “God is opposed to the proud and haughty, but [continually] gives [the gift of] grace to the humble [who turn away from self-righteousness].”

1 Peter 5:6 (NIV)

6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. 7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

2. Lying:
One of the titles that the Bible ascribes to Satan is that he is the father of lies. Anybody that lies is not a son of God but the son of the devil!

John 8:44 (NIV)

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

Do Christians still lie? Yes, I’m afraid we do! Even telling someone you will pray for them, and you don’t, is telling a lie. The Church needs to be very careful in our dealings with each other as well as those outside the Church! It is interesting to note from the above verse that God considers lying to be much the same as committing murder!

Ephesians 4:6 (AMP)

Therefore, rejecting all falsehood [whether lying, defrauding, telling half-truths, spreading rumors, any such as these], speak truth each one with his neighbor, for we are all parts of one another [and we are all parts of the body of Christ].

We need to pray the words spoken by David in the verse below and include our own lying lips as well when we slip!

Psalm 102:2 (NIV) brackets are mine.

Save me, Lord,

from lying lips (including my own)

and from deceitful tongues (including my own).

3. Shedding innocent blood (Heartless and needless cruelty to others)
Remember the heartless murder by Cain in the Old Testament and Herod in the New Testament.

Genesis 4:8-10 (AMP)

8 Cain talked with Abel his brother [about what God had said]. And when they were [alone, working] in the field, Cain attacked Abel his brother and killed him.

9 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he [lied and] said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?” 10 The Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s [innocent] blood is crying out to Me from the ground [for justice].

Matthew 2:16-18 (NIV)

16 When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi. 17 Then what was said through the prophet Jeremiah was fulfilled:

18 “A voice is heard in Ramah,

weeping and great mourning,

Rachel weeping for her children

and refusing to be comforted,

because they are no more.”[Jeremiah 31:15]

The account found in Matthew is the fulfilment of a prophecy made by the prophet Jeremiah in chapter 31 and verse 15!

Proverbs 6 Verse 18

4. Vicious plotting and scheming – ‘a heart that creates wicked plans.’
The prime example of this Judas Iscariot when the Devil enters him, and he plots and schemes with the Pharisees and other religious leaders to betray Jesus with a kiss on the cheek for thirty pieces of silver! The spirit of Judas is still very much alive to this day – the kiss of the Devil is found in lying lips that plot evil!

Luke 22:3-6 (NIV)

3 Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. 4 And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. 5 They were delighted and agreed to give him money. 6 He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

5. Being eager to do evil - feet that rush to do evil
This is someone who is always looking to do evil things rather than good things. Someone who has an evil disposition! This is from the Devil!

1 Peter 5:8 (NLT)

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

Proverbs 6 Verse 19

6. A False Witness and slanderer
Look what happened to Korah and his followers when he made false statements against Moses and slandered him in front of the Israelites. God brought a swift and terrible retribution and judgement upon them! Who is the father of lies? Satan!

Numbers 16:31-35 (NIV)

31 As soon as he finished saying all this, the ground under them split apart 32 and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them and their households, and all those associated with Korah, together with their possessions. 33 They went down alive into the realm of the dead, with everything they owned; the earth closed over them, and they perished and were gone from the community. 34 At their cries, all the Israelites around them fled, shouting, “The earth is going to swallow us too!”

35 And fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense.

Psalm 101:5 (AMP)

Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, him I will silence;

The one who has a haughty look and a proud (arrogant) heart I will not tolerate.

7. A divisive person – “a man who stirs up dissension among brothers”
Look how Satan came between God and man in the Garden of Eden by using a snake as his mouthpiece.

Genesis 3:1 (AMP)

Now the serpent was more crafty (subtle, skilled in deceit) than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And the serpent (Satan) said to the woman, “Can it really be that God has said, ‘You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?”

A divisive person sows doubt in others about the truth of the Bible and its teachings. The Bible clearly warns us to stay away from such people!

Titus 3:10-11 (AMP)

10 After a first and second warning reject a divisive man [who promotes heresy and causes dissension—ban him from your fellowship and have nothing more to do with him], 11 well aware that such a person is twisted and is sinning; he is convicted and self-condemned [and is gratified by causing confusion among believers].

Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father
In the name of Jesus, I pray that you would fill me with your Holy Spirit and help me to live my life in accordance with your will. Lord, help me to live and walk on the path that you have willed for my life always and in every way! Amen.

To Jesus belongs all glory, honour and praise!

Jesus the Name above all names!

Remember: Reading this article is no substitute for reading and studying the Bible for yourself! I am flawed the Bible is not!