2 Thess 1:3, Are We Gods? Agape Towards Mankind.

Class Outline:

Sunday June 4, 2023

Theme: Agape in the New Testament is almost entirely towards our neighbor and not towards God. The emphasis towards God is faith.

1. In Paul there is surprising and startling change of emphasis in love towards mankind far over love towards God.
   1. Jesus’ emphasis in the Gospels is love towards God, MAT 22:35-40.
   2. Paul only uses agape towards God four times, ROM 8:28; 1CO 2:9; 8:1-3; EPH 6:4.
   3. Paul emphasizes agape towards man as the fulfillment of the law, ROM 13:8-10.
   4. Love for others: GAL 5:13-14; EPH 1:15; 4:2; Php 2:2; COL 1:4; 3:14; 1TH 1:3; 4:9; 2TH 1:3, etc…
2. Agape is spontaneous and unmotivated love and we could never have such love towards God.
   1. Our love towards God is always a response to His love and Person.
   2. In a brilliant stroke, the writers of the NT leave us no room to say that we love God if we do not love our neighbor.
3. The NT writers emphasize our faith towards God.
   1. Faith is love towards God, but a love that is receptive, not spontaneous.
   2. “Increase our faith.” The Lord’s response is faith as a mustard seed will do the impossible. Then He tells them to be obedient as unworthy slaves (LUK 17:7-10).
      1. When we fear the repercussions of giving ourselves entirely, faith tells us that as God’s servants we are blessed to inherit the kingdom of God.
4. Agape is for others and it is the fulfillment of the Law (LEV 19:9-18; ROM 13:8-10; GAL 5:13-15; EPH 5:1-2).
   1. God is at work within us (filling of the Spirit, walk by the Spirit, fruit of the Spirit)  and therefore our agape is not ours but His.
   2. We never work independently of God. We don’t become gods, but in us God works, GAL 2:20.
5. Application: Do not make the mistake that you can have a love relationship with God while not loving all others with divine agape love.
   1. Do not fear laying down your life for others. The servants in God’s house are always blessed.
   2. When we fear loss for giving to the unworthy, focus on your faith in what God says.