In Acts 2:8 Jesus told the disciples to wait until they receive the Holy Ghost who would give them power (ability, efficiency and might) (AMP) to be witnesses in Jerusalem and Judea and Samaria and eventually the ends of the earth.
This “power” often is emphasized as an awesome thing that we all need. And it is true. We do need the Holy Ghost to be the “power” in our lives. He was sent for every believer.
Unfortunately many people put so much focus on the love of power that they forget about the power of love. Jesus never intended for us to focus on the so called “power” we would have or the spectacular that so many ministries thrive on. The Holy Ghost was given so we could be witnesses to the power of love that God has for mankind.
The gospel is the power of this love working together with the Holy Ghost to lead people into sozo (salvation and wholeness in every sense of the word). The gospel is the good news message of the finished work of the cross of Jesus Christ and everything it accomplished for ALL men for ALL time because of the free gift of the grace, goodness, mercy, love and forgiveness of God.
The power of love is a HUGE subject that I believe can never be exhausted. The whole salvation of the human race depended on this agape love that God has towards mankind. The definition I love of agape love is that in my worst hour God sees me a precious, valuable and something to be highly esteemed. What an amazing thought!! We know the person we are in our worst hour and mostly we don’t want others to know that side of our lives. But God who knows ALL things doesn’t give that a thought. He still loves us with all the agape that He is. In I John 4:7 we read that God IS love and that love springs FROM God. It is who He is, not something He possesses. He doesn’t just give it away but He is personally involved in LOVE. He cannot be separated from it, ever. That’s why when we receive this love, we receive HIM with it. That is how He can come and make His place of dwelling within us. In I John 4:9 we read that the love (agape) of God was manifest (or revealed) in Jesus so that we might live in Him. Verse 16-17 tells us that love is brought to completion and perfection through our union with Christ because of God’s love for us.
In I Timothy 1:5-6 Paul urges Timothy to realize that the object and purpose of all our instruction is LOVE. We must have a life open to God, unfeigned and not counterfeit. He says many people miss the mark (or the point) of instruction in love and get carried away to purposeless and useless arguments. If we don’t keep the love of God for mankind in first place in every bible conversation, we will land up arguing about pointless things. We can only help people if we remember to keep the power of love in the forefront of our minds and remember the power of that love that has redeemed us and changed our lives.
Once we open our eyes and hearts to the power of love, the bible takes on a whole new meaning. Everything we read becomes involved and flooded with this agape love God that is our daddy. It is almost impossible to misinterpret what He is saying when we realize that He has flooded our lives with His love.
I Corinthians 13 is known as the LOVE chapter and is an awesome discovery of God’s love for mankind. But verse 1 of chapter 14 in the Message Bible reads: “Go after love as if your life depended on it – because it does”. That is how to live. We need to hang onto agape love for life because we cannot live without it. We need it just as much as we need each breath of air. Nothing can stand against the power of this love. No circumstance or situation or problem that life can throw at us can change the power of this love (Romans 8:35-39)
Jude 21 reminds us to guard and keep ourselves in the love of God. The Living Bible says we should stay in the boundaries where the love of God can reach and keep us. The only way to get out of the love is to start believing the lies of the enemy and life. We must not allow the circumstances of life to draw us out of this love. Jesus constantly told people to believe on Him and not the stuff in their lives. Focus your heart on agape love – the power that keeps you safe and sound. John 3:16 tells us that God so loved the world that He gave His son so we would be safe and sound.
Safe means: The provision of security and protection, being free from the feelings of risk or danger.
Sound means: A state of being healthy, whole or complete. Not diseased, damaged or inferior.
You are ALWAYS safe and sound in the power of love. No matter what life throws at you or how you feel about it or what you say about your situation, the power of love will keep you safe. All you have to do is believe it. Reach out and believe that God is IN you, to keep you secure and whole. Agape love is the strongest thing you can hold on to. It will NEVER fail you!
