THE NATURE OF LOVE Divine Love Outpoured Rom 5:5 The love of God (Gods own love; n: agape) has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Rom 5:5 The love of God (Gods own love; n: agape) has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Agape the perfect love between the Persons of the Godhead, AND the love of God toward man. Agape the perfect love between the Persons of the Godhead, AND the love of God toward man. Jn 3:16 For God so loved the world Jn 3:16 For God so loved the world The divine love that comes into us at new birth. The divine love that comes into us at new birth. Divine Love is Costly. Beloved, let us love (v: agapao) one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1Jn. 4: 7+) Beloved, let us love (v: agapao) one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1Jn. 4: 7+) Agape love is divine and transformative and can only be experienced through the new birth Agape love is divine and transformative and can only be experienced through the new birth We are commanded to love Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth thru the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love (agapao) one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, thru the word of God which lives and abides forever. (1Pet1:2+) Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth thru the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love (agapao) one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, thru the word of God which lives and abides forever. (1Pet1:2+) 1 Jn 3:9 No one who is born of God practices sin because His seed abides in him Divine love is contained in the seed it is possible for us to love as God loves. 1 Jn 3:9 No one who is born of God practices sin because His seed abides in him Divine love is contained in the seed it is possible for us to love as God loves. Love is an action, not a feeling 1 Cor 13: Love is Patient & kind, not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way, is not irritable, keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Cor 13: Love is Patient & kind, not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way, is not irritable, keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Love does not wait to be reciprocated before it gives all. Love does not wait to be reciprocated before it gives all. All nonbiblical literary efforts to define love fall short of this description of Christ & the love He enables in us when He indwells us. All nonbiblical literary efforts to define love fall short of this description of Christ & the love He enables in us when He indwells us. Some Spiritual Applications Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do (Lk 23:34) Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do (Lk 23:34) Lord, do not charge them with this sin (Acts 7:60) Lord, do not charge them with this sin (Acts 7:60) that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart; for I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen, according to the flesh (Rom 9: 1-3) that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart; for I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen, according to the flesh (Rom 9: 1-3) Misty Edwards worship song: What does love look like - and then I saw Him, hanging on a tree, looking at me, with those beautiful eyes and arms wide open, a heart exposed.. Misty Edwards worship song: What does love look like - and then I saw Him, hanging on a tree, looking at me, with those beautiful eyes and arms wide open, a heart exposed.. The love test No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in usGod is love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God in Him. (1 Jn. 4:12+) No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in usGod is love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God in Him. (1 Jn. 4:12+) And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor 13:13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. (1 Cor 13:13)