Unbounded Love

The power of God is the power of unbounded love. In biblical language, agape love. The most common expression for this in the New Testament is the verb agapao. This is the self-giving, ever-welcoming love of God that we see and experience in Jesus. It is actively given; enacted. Unbounded love is the only power that can save us. Jesus' self-giving was not hindered by the cross; the threat of or the reality of death. God's love for all (particularly enemies)is poured out toward a future that is the promised full-fillment of God's unbounded love. We live, in faith, toward that future; our love is an investment in it.

Our descriptions:

--infinite/no end

--love no matter what (think of the worst circumstances)

--no limits, boundaries on love (take some time to reflect on all that this means!)

--unconditional (we confess that our love is so often laden with conditions)

--openness--for everybody

--can't earn it

--love not a commodity (no negotiation)

--No "fences"

--"we're all in it together whether we recognize it or not"

--experiential

--gracious

--You are the overflowing cup!

We spent some time pondering Paul's commission in the Letter to the Philippians:

"Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus" (2:5)

. . ."did not regard equality with God as somehting to be exploited, but emptied himself . . .

he humbled himself, and became obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."

How is it that we live and act "with the mind of Jesus?" How does the unbounded love of God make that possible?

Think of some ways that we can practice unbounded love! Write them in the comment section. Be as specific as you can.