Agape Outlaws

Sunday Morning

Mar 22, 2026

Thanks for making the ride out here. Everybody come on in. We’re losing daylight. I’m going to get started. We have some things to go over about the insanity all over the territory. Keep the line moving. Last one in close the door.

I know ya’ll see it. Most even say it: there’s not enough love in this world. But the world’s version of love is soft, conditional, feel-good mush at best. Real love? The kind Scripture commands? In this world? That’s outlaw territory. That’s us.

We’re ganging up in here as agape outlaws—going beyond the boundaries of most, without fear, thinking critically about spiritual love (agape), refusing the sentimental substitute everybody else offers, and living it as a deliberate, sacrificial lifestyle. Ya’ll do know this love is listed first as fruit of the Spirit, right? (Galatians 5:22-23). It requires… no,… it demands… critical thinking in the best sense of the word—not judgmental criticism, but careful, detailed examination to assess its true value and quality, as any outlaw would inspect his weapons for function and reliability, and recognizing it as a critical phase in the believer’s life where real transformation either happens or stalls. Disciple yourself to this and you ain’t just any outlaw. You are a dangerous outlaw roaming free in the territory. Ya’ll know what they did to the Boss’ son. We’ve gotta look at the Boss’ instructions He gave us.

Quiet down ya’ll. Calm down. We all agree what they did to J.C. was terrible. Let’s go over here. I’ll lay it out on the table. Everybody gather ‘round. Don’t spill yer drinks on it. Cigars stay in the back. No spittin’ in here. Somebody throw some wood on the fire. Yeah, this ain’t popular but if you wanted popular you wouldn’t be holed up here with me. It’s no secret this territory don’t want us here. We ain’t puttin up with it. We got as much right to be here as they do. Here’s the plan. Look here and understand…

Critical Analysis: Refers to a detailed examination of something, often to assess its value or quality.
Critical Phase: Indicates a crucial stage in a process, such as a child’s growth where a significant change is expected.

Think of 2 Timothy 3:16-17: Scripture is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, which is instruction in righteousness—so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. That same rigorous, applying mindset must govern how we love. Agape demands we examine our hearts, motives, and actions against God’s standard, not the world’s sentimental version.

What Agape Really Means
In the Greek New Testament, agape (ἀγάπη) is no ordinary affection. It is love rooted in moral preference and deliberate choice—God’s own love poured out. It’s self-giving, sacrificial, unconditional, and persists even when unreturned, unappreciated, or rejected. Unlike human emotions that rise and fall, agape centers on the good of the other, regardless of worthiness or reciprocation. It’s the love God demonstrates: “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16), and He showed it by giving His Son while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8).

This isn’t earned or deserved. It flows from God’s essence, pure, benevolent, devoted. Expanded, agape means choosing to act for another’s highest good, even at personal cost. It’s divine love that gives and gives, the highest form revealed in Scripture.

Agape vs. Phileo: Not the Same Thing
The Bible carefully distinguishes agape from phileo (φιλέω), often translated “love” but carrying a different flavor. Phileo is affectionate, brotherly love—warm friendship, fondness for those who appeal to us, like the bond between close friends or family. It’s emotional, responsive, usually mutual.

(Biblical Research Tip: Look up the definitions of Greek words used. The ancient Greek is accepted as the most descriptive language ever developed.)

Jesus highlights the contrast in his exchange with Peter after the resurrection (John 21:15-17). Jesus asks Peter twice, “Do you love [agapao] Me?”—challenging him toward that higher, sacrificial commitment. Peter, humbled by his earlier denials, responds with phileo: “You know that I love [phileo] You,” admitting his current capacity is more affectionate than fully self-surrendered. By the third question, Jesus meets Peter where he is, asking “Do you love [phileo] Me?”—accepting the honest starting point but still pointing toward growth.

Another clear separation appears in contexts like John 15:13: “Greater love [agape] has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” This is agape—commitment that sacrifices, not just fond feelings (phileo). Phileo can come and go like casual friendship; agape is steadfast, even toward the unloving, underserving, or enemy.

Listen up Outlaws! Most of what passes for “love” today is phileo at best—conditional, emotional, self-serving. Mushy. Agape is rarer because it’s supernatural, produced only by the spirit-filled child of the Almighty whose mind is renewed to the truth of His Word. This is gunpowder. Ya gotta strap on as much as you can carry.

Sunesis: The Understanding That Fuels Agape Living
To walk in agape isn’t blind sentiment; it requires sunesis (σύνεσις)—insight, understanding, intelligence that perceives and applies truth wisely. Sunesis isn’t mere head knowledge; it’s the kind of discernment that connects doctrine to daily life.

Scripture ties this directly to mature love. Colossians 1:9-10 prays for believers to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (sunesis), so they can walk worthy of the Lord, bearing fruit in every good work. This understanding enables agape to operate practically—discerning how to love others effectively, not just emotionally.

Ephesians 5:17 urges, “Do not be foolish, but understand [sunesis] what the will of the Lord is.” Living agape means grasping God’s priorities: truth-speaking in love (Ephesians 4:15), forbearing one another (Colossians 3:13), and prioritizing others’ growth toward Christlikeness. These are your sights. Without sunesis, our “love” becomes misguided or superficial. Your aim for impact will not be accurate. Like shootin’ blanks! Scripture rightly divided and understood is the standard of operating, or manifesting, spiritual (agape) love.

The Growing Stages of Agape
Scripture doesn’t present agape as instant perfection but as progressive growth, mirroring spiritual maturity. Like childhood, youth, and parenthood in 1 John 2:12-14, love develops through stages.

Early stage (like little children): New believers taste God’s forgiveness and basic love. Agape begins as obedience to commands—“love one another”—but often still mixed with self-interest or inconsistency.
Growing stage (like young men): Strength emerges. Believers overcome the evil one through the Word abiding in them. Agape matures into active resistance against fleshly impulses, choosing to love despite personal cost—forgiving offenses, serving humbly.
Mature stage (like fathers): Deep knowledge of “Him who is from the beginning.” Agape becomes steady, parental—nurturing others toward maturity, sacrificing consistently, reflecting God’s unchanging love.

This progression aligns with 1 Corinthians 13: the famous “love chapter” describes agape’s characteristics (patient, kind, not envious, not rude, bears all things) as the mark of maturity. Love never fails, unlike gifts or knowledge that pass away. True growth culminates in agape as the greatest (1 Corinthians 13:13). (Agape translated “charity” in all of the chapter’s nine usages.)

God desires this progression in every child—moving from immature affection to full, Spirit-empowered love. This love is what is feared out there. Yep. He’s right. They don’t want it. This is why so many of us are on wanted posters in town.

Outlaws… Ya gotta become comfortably deadly with your aim.

The Personal Benefit Of An Agape Lifestyle
Once born again—in that moment—all your sins are washed away. However, this gift of spirit (our righteousness) is encased in a flesh-and-soul body that is still tempted and seduced. We will still blow it at times, and here is where God’s grace takes the reins while you’re wounded. When He sees His child living an agape lifestyle, God is (and the brethren should be) quick to throw a tarp over the unattractive behavior that conflicts with the loving mindset as a babe in the Word matures. But this applies to anyone. Including those who’s wound festers from ignoring the damage or falls into self-condemnation, doesn’t heal from the guilt, quits and rides off alone.

Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick [born again] and the dead [those without the gift. ‘Dead in trespasses and sins.’]

For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit.

But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober [think and act discreetly], and watch unto prayer.

And above all things have fervent [red hot] charity [agape] among yourselves: for charity [agape] shall → cover ← the multitude of sins.”

1 Peter 4:5-8

The wild thing is—and it’s been my observation—that as time goes on and one grows in and improves on manifesting this agape love… whatever’s under that tarp just… disappears. Not that it’s any better than, but I wish that worked on the outhouse.

C’mon now Riders, quiet down. That wadn’t that funny. No thanks. I quit whiskey. Yeah really. I know. Who’d’a thunk it?! Somebody open a window. It’s gettin’ warm in here. Let some of this smoke out. Let’s focus here.

The Impact When We Overcome Pride and Press On
If believers would crucify pride and ego, deflect the silly attacks (shield of believing), ignore the mockings and resistance from unbelievers, and still share truth unaffected—in agape—speaking boldly yet kindly, correcting gently, enduring patiently… the world would see something undeniable. I reckon most ya’ll are smart asses by nature. Relax. You can still be a smart-ass—if it’s done in love to drive your point with the goal of opening blind eyes.

Imagine gangs of Christian Outlaws responding to hostility and ignorant attacks not with retaliation or withdrawal, but with persistent, truth-rooted, accurate, love loaded six-shooters. Exactly what the antagonizers won’t be expecting. Ambush ‘em. Give ‘em the truth. Hit ‘em hard. Enemies become prayed for (Matthew 5:44). Division yields to unity. Hard hearts can soften when they encounter love that doesn’t demand worthiness. For all we know, some of them skunks very well could be part of the gang and just don’t know it yet. Win without fighting.

This is God’s desire as revealed in Scripture: that His children walk so deeply in agape that others glimpse the greatness of our Boss’ nature. God IS truth. God IS love (agape). This deeper service brings true enlightenment to the one serving—not worldly wisdom, but the light of Christ shining through selfless love. John 13:35: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love [agape] for one another.” (This verse is addressed to believers—It transcends the administration it was spoken in.) Today, this spiritual love the Church has among itself is a witness of discipleship.

So examine yourself pardners. Fearlessly. Critically. Is your love phileo—conditional, emotional—or agape—chosen, sacrificial, growing? Yield to God physically by way of repenting… changing your thinking to… His written Word. Let scriptural sunesis guide your steps. Upgrade yer ammo. It’s this love expressed that energizes our believing the Boss knows what He’s doing. (Galatians 5:6) Overcome selfishness and pride. Press on in truth and love, no matter the resistance.

The territory out there desperately needs this—not more talk of love, but the real thing delivered. And God has equipped you for this with His written Word and the gift of holy spirit. All it takes is some blued-steel critical thinking to convince yourself of it and the audacious desire to live it. Like the bunch of outlaws ya are! It’s up to us. Saddle up straight-shooters! This -IS- The Great Awakening!

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Where be the believing spiritual Christian outlaws?! Did you know truth-talkin’, Bible walkin’ disciples ain’t welcome by the yella-bellied polecats in these parts? Drop a comment on yer way out. Let me know I ain’t alone out here! But before you head out into the night, let this song here remind you: the call is to rise—in agape, in truth, no matter the resistance.

Agape Outlaws don’t quit!