To Agape or Not to Agape, That is the Question

The New Testament is replete on the topic of Agape Love… the love that serves. It is commanded, examples are given and the theory behind it is discussed.

Agape/Love (especially towards our foes) is an identifying mark of who is and who is not a Christian. Agape/Love is a testimony to the world that God sent Jesus Christ. Agape/Love witnesses God’s wisdom to the spiritual world in Heavenly places.

Something in the scriptures that is implied but not stated is that Agape/Love can make us physically and emotionally healthy.

A quick search of Artificial Intelligence on the topic of how does Agape/Love benefit the giver and/or the receiver reveals these things (to name a few)

For the giver…

- increased happiness and life satisfaction. Acts of kindness triggers the release of feel good hormones in the brain.

- reduction and stress in anxiety

- greater emotional resilience

- a sense of purpose and meaning

- deeper emotional intimacy

- builds a more compassionate community and reduced social isolation

For the recipient…

- Deepens self-acceptance: Agape love embraces a person for their complete self, including all their flaws and vulnerabilities, without judgment. This unconditional acceptance from another person helps the recipient accept and embrace their own true self, overcoming feelings of guilt, shame, and hopelessness.

- Lowers stress and improves mood: The act of giving and receiving love has a positive physiological effect on the body. Love can lower stress hormones like cortisol and trigger the release of “feel-good" neurotransmitters like oxytocin, dopamine, and serotonin.

So, a couple of learning points here. God doesn’t just give us meaningless commands like we’re some kind of lab rats. His commands are purposeful and *beneficial* to us. He wants us to be happy and healthy as we testify to the world.

Also, if we are depressed and stressed out or have any other kind of malady maybe the therapeutic benefits of practicing Agape/Love could be beneficial or even curative. It can’t hurt to try or even to “up our game” in that area. Think on these things.