"Agape love is radically different. It involves a revolution in outlook without parallel in history, a complete transvaluation of all human understandings of love. It is to be unconditionally committed to the well-being of another. It is sacrificial, seeks not its own, is gracious and forgiving, spontaneous and joyful. It is empowering, not controlling. It is directed to both the good and the evil - it is love for one's enemies and one's friends. It is redemptive, not punitive. It seeks to win one's enemies, not destroy them. It seeks peace, not violence, in the name of redeeming the situation." Paul G. Hiebert "Transforming Worldviews"

This is the love that God showed us. He looked on rebels and traitors and then forgave us for our rebellion and payed the price we should have paid. He chose to restore us to Himself, rather than destroy us as He had every right to do. He looked on the most wretched and foolish of men and then said, "I love you and want you to follow me." We cannot even begin to imagine such compassion, such extravagant love that would bear the cross and shame for rebellious humans.

Such a love is beyond my comprehension, let alone my reach. I can hardly bring myself to think of another person without thinking of them in relation to my desires and needs, let alone unconditionally commit myself to their well-being at the expense of my own. What does it mean to have Agape love, to empower even ones enemies and to identify with the most down trodden and abused of people. Surely it means more than just feeling bad that bad things happen, or feeling sorry when we see someone sleeping on the street. It means giving without receiving and paying any price to love another.

I am not sure I am capable of loving as God calls us to. In fact I am sure I am incapable of loving with the extravagance of agape love. As C.S. Lewis said, "I am mercenary and self-seeking through and through. I want God, you, all friends simply to serve my turn. I talk of love as a scholars parrot may talk Greek, but self-imprisoned always end where I began." How then can God ask us to love our neighbor as ourselves or call us to love our enemies with this incredible love? It can only happen as God works in our lives, transforming us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Yet we must be willing to act, willing to step out in faith and touch the lives around us. Heibert suggests that prayer is an offering of oneself to the work one is praying for. As I ask God to teach me how to love others I know He will push me into places I do not want to be.