Ron Writes

 You would think that nothing could be easier to understand than love. The Greek word “agape” is so often used, you’d think it could be found in an English dictionary. The Biblical definition most often used is “unconditional goodwill.” It’s a love demonstrated by God in sending Jesus, His son, as a sacrifice for our sin. The source of love is in the giver, not the recipient. It’s a selfless love that looks to the good of others over self. It is perhaps the most challenging thing we will ever be called to do.

“Let love be without hypocrisy” (Rom. 12:9). The core meaning of hypocrite is an actor. It’s a term borrowed from the theater. It describes someone who pretends. Tom Cruise is not really a fighter pilot. He’s just pretending. That’s what good actors do. It just doesn’t work well in real life. A hypocrite is someone who pretends to be what he doesn’t intend to be. Paul says don’t do this with love.

Don’t pretend that whatever you’re doing is love. We’ve heard the phrase “war of words,” but today there’s more of a war for words. Words are being redefined. Words like “marriage,” ”justice,” ”woman,” “tolerance,” “truth,” etc., are all being given new meanings, including the word “love.”

When people talk about making love to someone, they’re typically not talking about unconditional goodwill. If you call immoral sexual behavior love, then how could that behavior ever be wrong? The new slogan “love is love” is not saying that unconditional goodwill is unconditional goodwill. They’re describing immoral behavior in a way that can’t be disputed. How can anyone refute love?

Then again, this isn’t being written to non-believers, but to those who no longer conform to the world. It’s for those who are being transformed and renewed.  We’re not being asked to do whatever makes us feel good and call it love. We’re being called to live sacrificial lives that show mercy, grace, and forgiveness to those who don’t deserve it. It’s a call to selfless living. This is one of the most challenging expectations for Christians.