Love comes in various ways. People love their pets, family, significant others, and personal possessions. Greeks have several words to describe the various loves like eros, philia, and agape. Some loves can last, while other loves do not.
In writing about love, Catherine Latterell states the assumption that “Love conquers all” (326). Not all types of love can fulfill the assumption. However, the type of love that can conquer all is the religious agape.
This agape is the perfect unconditional love. It is a gift from God, giving people the capability to share the love with others (1John 4:7, 19). Paul describes the perfect love beautifully in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, 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, trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
With this love, people can overcome any obstacle with triumph. Jesus proved this when he walked the
Earth many years ago.
Jesus of Nazareth is the first human ever to have complete agape, having all of the qualities of perfect love.
He is the prime example of love conquering in triumph. He came down from the right hand of God in heaven and "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant" (Philippians 2:7). He cared for people and not just those in high places, but mainly the people most would cast aside. This is a man who is fully God, but washed the filthy feet of his disciples, mere fisherman and a tax collector (John 13:5). Jesus Christ loved these people.
It is stated that "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). He became the perfect pure spotless lamb that God had ordered Jews to sacrifice to redeem their wrong doings. Christ fulfilled the law
and gave himself as an offering out of his love (Ephesians 5:1). He died on a cross, a most painful and horrific death, to redeem those who believe in him, so they could break free from the bondage of sin. He conquered death, and from his love sets his people free. Jesus urges those who have felt his love, to show it to others.
God knows the power of the agape, so he commands his people to share it. At one point, Jesus states that the second part of the greatest command is to love ones neighbor as oneself (Luke 10:27). In the Sermon on the Mount, he tells his people to show the love to their enemies (Luke6:27). People have overturned hatred by loving their enemies, but in turn also change themselves. By showing love to others, a person changes inside. Someone, who is always about oneself that starts to love and care about others, has a change of focus. The person's wants and selfish desires are not the priority. People who have this change of focus are more likely to reach out to others and share the love that built up in them. The love they share by reaching out can save the person. This concept is used in the movie To Save a Life.
To Save a Life is a Christian drama film directed by Brian Baugh and written by Jim Britts. It was released into theaters on January 22, 2010, receiving mixed reviews. Some believe the film to be poorly made and overly preachy, while others find it inspirational (“To Save a Life Movie Reviews”). The movie covers many issues such as suicide, pregnancy, popularity, and more. The movie starts with a boy, Roger, shooting himself at school because he feels completely alone like no one cares.
His ex-best friend, Jake, highly affected by the suicide, searches to find what ultimately led to Roger hitting rock bottom.
Coming to the realization that he had a part in isolating Roger, Jake starts soul searching to find what is truly important in life.
He meets a youth pastor, who helps him answer some of the hard questions. He becomes a Christian and his life starts to change. He is no longer focusing on himself, but caring about others. Jake decides to befriend a loner at school, Johnny. He
invites him to sit with him at lunch day after day, invites him to his youth group, and becomes his friend. Jake shows his love for Johnny through the various actions in the film. Johnny starts to make more friends and wears a smile on his face more
often. The film ends with a letter stating that Johnny had thought about suicide, even writing the goodbye note to his mom, but Jake saved him by making him feel wanted (To Save a Life). The film illustrates the sharing of love saving someone's life, specifically through Jake and Johnny. When people reach out and share agape, lives do change. Jake reached out and shared love causing Johnny to feel accepted and appreciated (To Save a Life). People do not always notice, but love
brings them out of darkness.
People, everyday, struggle with depression, loneliness, grief, and many other issues. Many try to hide the
issues and put on a façade, but are deeply hurt on the inside. Some turn to drugs and alcohol to turn away the pain.
Agape can and has conquered the issues. Listening to many testimonies in my life, I have heard of God’s love pulling people out of rock bottom and turning their life around. There are students who have felt so depressed and alone, but from the love of one person reaching out to them, now feel accepted and purposeful. Some students lean on the love to get through times of troubles. With agape, students overcome obstacles or have the endurance to get through the hard times.
Though there are many types of love, only one can overcome all. Perfect agape conquers; it saves lives.
Works Cited
“1 Corinthians.” The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985. Print.
“1 John.” The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985. Print.
“Ephesians.” The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985. Print.
“John.” The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985. Print.
Latterell, Catherine G. "Romance." ReMix Reading + Composing Culture. 2nd ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2006. 326-27. Print.
“Luke.” The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985. Print.
“Philippians.” The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985. Print.
To Save A Life. Dir. Brian Baugh. Perf. Randy Wayne and Sean Afable. New Song Pictures, 2009. DVD.
"To Save a Life Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes." ROTTEN TOMATOES: Movies - New Movie Reviews and Previews! Flixster, Inc. Web. 01 Dec. 2010.< http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/to_save_a_life/>.
In writing about love, Catherine Latterell states the assumption that “Love conquers all” (326). Not all types of love can fulfill the assumption. However, the type of love that can conquer all is the religious agape.
This agape is the perfect unconditional love. It is a gift from God, giving people the capability to share the love with others (1John 4:7, 19). Paul describes the perfect love beautifully in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, 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, trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
With this love, people can overcome any obstacle with triumph. Jesus proved this when he walked the
Earth many years ago.
Jesus of Nazareth is the first human ever to have complete agape, having all of the qualities of perfect love.
He is the prime example of love conquering in triumph. He came down from the right hand of God in heaven and "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant" (Philippians 2:7). He cared for people and not just those in high places, but mainly the people most would cast aside. This is a man who is fully God, but washed the filthy feet of his disciples, mere fisherman and a tax collector (John 13:5). Jesus Christ loved these people.
It is stated that "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). He became the perfect pure spotless lamb that God had ordered Jews to sacrifice to redeem their wrong doings. Christ fulfilled the law
and gave himself as an offering out of his love (Ephesians 5:1). He died on a cross, a most painful and horrific death, to redeem those who believe in him, so they could break free from the bondage of sin. He conquered death, and from his love sets his people free. Jesus urges those who have felt his love, to show it to others.
God knows the power of the agape, so he commands his people to share it. At one point, Jesus states that the second part of the greatest command is to love ones neighbor as oneself (Luke 10:27). In the Sermon on the Mount, he tells his people to show the love to their enemies (Luke6:27). People have overturned hatred by loving their enemies, but in turn also change themselves. By showing love to others, a person changes inside. Someone, who is always about oneself that starts to love and care about others, has a change of focus. The person's wants and selfish desires are not the priority. People who have this change of focus are more likely to reach out to others and share the love that built up in them. The love they share by reaching out can save the person. This concept is used in the movie To Save a Life.
To Save a Life is a Christian drama film directed by Brian Baugh and written by Jim Britts. It was released into theaters on January 22, 2010, receiving mixed reviews. Some believe the film to be poorly made and overly preachy, while others find it inspirational (“To Save a Life Movie Reviews”). The movie covers many issues such as suicide, pregnancy, popularity, and more. The movie starts with a boy, Roger, shooting himself at school because he feels completely alone like no one cares.
His ex-best friend, Jake, highly affected by the suicide, searches to find what ultimately led to Roger hitting rock bottom.
Coming to the realization that he had a part in isolating Roger, Jake starts soul searching to find what is truly important in life.
He meets a youth pastor, who helps him answer some of the hard questions. He becomes a Christian and his life starts to change. He is no longer focusing on himself, but caring about others. Jake decides to befriend a loner at school, Johnny. He
invites him to sit with him at lunch day after day, invites him to his youth group, and becomes his friend. Jake shows his love for Johnny through the various actions in the film. Johnny starts to make more friends and wears a smile on his face more
often. The film ends with a letter stating that Johnny had thought about suicide, even writing the goodbye note to his mom, but Jake saved him by making him feel wanted (To Save a Life). The film illustrates the sharing of love saving someone's life, specifically through Jake and Johnny. When people reach out and share agape, lives do change. Jake reached out and shared love causing Johnny to feel accepted and appreciated (To Save a Life). People do not always notice, but love
brings them out of darkness.
People, everyday, struggle with depression, loneliness, grief, and many other issues. Many try to hide the
issues and put on a façade, but are deeply hurt on the inside. Some turn to drugs and alcohol to turn away the pain.
Agape can and has conquered the issues. Listening to many testimonies in my life, I have heard of God’s love pulling people out of rock bottom and turning their life around. There are students who have felt so depressed and alone, but from the love of one person reaching out to them, now feel accepted and purposeful. Some students lean on the love to get through times of troubles. With agape, students overcome obstacles or have the endurance to get through the hard times.
Though there are many types of love, only one can overcome all. Perfect agape conquers; it saves lives.
Works Cited
“1 Corinthians.” The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985. Print.
“1 John.” The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985. Print.
“Ephesians.” The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985. Print.
“John.” The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985. Print.
Latterell, Catherine G. "Romance." ReMix Reading + Composing Culture. 2nd ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2006. 326-27. Print.
“Luke.” The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985. Print.
“Philippians.” The NIV Study Bible. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1985. Print.
To Save A Life. Dir. Brian Baugh. Perf. Randy Wayne and Sean Afable. New Song Pictures, 2009. DVD.
"To Save a Life Movie Reviews, Pictures - Rotten Tomatoes." ROTTEN TOMATOES: Movies - New Movie Reviews and Previews! Flixster, Inc. Web. 01 Dec. 2010.< http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/to_save_a_life/>.