Selfless love, often referred to as "agape" in the New Testament, is a central theme in Christian theology and ethics. It is characterized by an unconditional, sacrificial love that seeks the well-being of others without expecting anything in return. This form of love is exemplified by God’s love for humanity and is the standard to which Christians are called to aspire.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of selfless love is rooted in the nature of God Himself. In 1 John 4:8, it is stated, "Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." This passage underscores that love is not merely an attribute of God but is intrinsic to His very essence. The ultimate demonstration of selfless love is found in the sacrificial act of Jesus Christ. John 3:16 declares, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse highlights the depth of God’s love, which is willing to give the greatest gift for the redemption of humanity.

Jesus’ Teachings on Love

Jesus Christ taught extensively about love, emphasizing its importance as the greatest commandment. In Matthew 22:37-39 , Jesus responds to a question about the greatest commandment: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’" Here, Jesus links love for God with love for others, indicating that true devotion to God is expressed through selfless love towards others.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus further elaborates on the nature of selfless love. In Matthew 5:44 , He instructs, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This radical call to love even those who oppose us exemplifies the selflessness that characterizes Christian love.

The Apostle Paul on Love

The Apostle Paul provides a detailed description of selfless love in 1 Corinthians 13, often referred to as the "Love Chapter." In verses 4-7 , Paul writes, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." This passage outlines the attributes of selfless love, emphasizing its enduring and self-giving nature.

Paul also highlights the supremacy of love in the Christian life. In 1 Corinthians 13:13 , he concludes, "And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love." This statement underscores the preeminence of love as the highest virtue and the foundation of Christian ethics.

Practical Application

Selfless love is not merely a theological concept but a practical mandate for believers. In Philippians 2:3-4 , Paul exhorts, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." This call to humility and selflessness is a practical outworking of agape love in the life of a believer.

The early church provides a model of selfless love in action. Acts 2:44-45 describes the communal life of the early Christians: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This spirit of generosity and care for one another reflects the transformative power of selfless love in a community.

Conclusion

Selfless love, as revealed in Scripture, is the hallmark of true Christian discipleship. It is a love that mirrors the character of God, demonstrated supremely in the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Through the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, believers are called to embody this love in their relationships with God and others, reflecting the heart of the Gospel in their daily lives.1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity braggs not itself, is not puffed up,
Topicalbible.org

John 15:13
Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
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1 John 4:16
And we have known and believed the love that God has to us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him.
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The Realization of Selfless Love
... THE REALIZATION OF SELFLESS LOVE. It is ... manifestation. And that Divine Image
is revealed and realized as stainless, selfless Love. Hidden ...
/.../allen/the way of peace/the realization of selfless love.htm

The Hermit and the Boy
... And heard an answer, Wake, Thou deedless dreamer, lazying out a life. Of
self-suppression, not of selfless love!'. Tennyson, St. Telemachus. ...
/.../chapter v the hermit and.htm

The Way of Peace
... THE ACQUIREMENT OF SPIRITUAL POWER. THE REALIZATION OF SELFLESS LOVE. ENTERING INTO
THE INFINITE. SAINTS, SAGES, AND SAVIORS; THE LAW OF SERVICE. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/allen/the way of peace/title page.htm

The Way of Peace
... THE ACQUIREMENT OF SPIRITUAL POWER. THE REALIZATION OF SELFLESS LOVE. ENTERING INTO
THE INFINITE. SAINTS, SAGES, AND SAVIORS: THE LAW OF SERVICE. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/allen/the way of peace/

The Realization of Perfect Peace
... Only the Peace of Heaven endures through all trial, and only the selfless heart
can know the Peace of Heaven. ... To conquer love of self and lust of life,. ...
/.../allen/the way of peace/the realization of perfect peace.htm

Brokenness
... The whole Sermon on the Mount with its teaching of non-retaliation, love for
enemies and selfless giving, assumes that that is our position. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter i brokenness.htm

Saints, Sages, and Saviors: the Law of Service
... vision, that of the savior actively manifesting his knowledge in selfless works,
and ... And this only is true service"to forget oneself in love towards all, to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/allen/the way of peace/saints sages and saviors the.htm

Cadman -- a New Day for Missions
... shepherdless multitudes shall have social ameliorations and new incentives and selfless
leaders. ... the ineffable height and depth and mystery of all love and all ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/cadman a new day.htm

The Cardinal was Seated, -- He Rose as Moretti Appeared. ...
... It will be my glory now to show him what a son's love and pardon may be ... who pardoned
the unhappy outcast and said, 'Sin no more,'"who was so selfless, so pure ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xv the cardinal was seated.htm

Concerning "Good," "Light," "Beautiful," "Desire," "Ecstasy ...
... [316] This finely suggests that the "Selfhood" of God is selfless. ... [320] The manifold
yearnings of the spirit for Truth, Beauty, Spiritual Love, etc. ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter iv concerning good light.htm

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