In a transactional world, love often comes with strings attached. We give because we want to be repaid. We help because we want to be noticed. Sometimes, we even love hoping that God will bless us more. But true love has no hidden agenda. Love from God is love that gives without expecting anything in return.
Jesus said in Luke 6:32-33, “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you?” This is a tough challenge for every believer. True love is tested not when we are liked, but when we continue to love those who give nothing back.
This kind of love doesn’t make sense to the world. But this is the love God has given us. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” We do not deserve this love, yet God gave it first. His love does not depend on our response. There are no hidden conditions, no secret agendas.
Sometimes we give love hoping others will change, or so they will “realize” something. But love without agenda actually frees us. We love because it is right, not because it will be repaid. We do good because God has already done good to us first.
This kind of love not only heals others but also transforms our hearts. When we learn to love selflessly, we are learning to become like Christ. And that is our calling as His disciples.
