The Characteristics of Agape Love

What are the characteristics of agape love? We are going to list the characteristics today and then take a longer look at each characteristic as we go along.
God’s love is defined in I Corinthians 13:4-8 (AMPC)
4 Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
5 It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
6 It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
7 Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
We need to read these verses and really get them down in our hearts. Since the love of God is in us, we are able to do everything that is listed in these verses. We CAN endure long and be patient and kind. Our love CAN bear up under anything and everything that comes.
So, walking in love means we will:
- endure long
- be patient and kind
- never envy or be jealous
- never be boastful or vainglorious
- not be haughty
- not be conceited, arrogant or inflated with pride
- not be rude or unmannerly
- not act unbecomingly
- not insist on our own rights or our own way
- not be touchy or fretful or resentful
- take not account of an evil done to us
- not pay attention to a suffered wrong
- rejoice when right and truth prevail
- will bear up under everything and anything
- be ready to believe the best in everyone
- have unfailing hope