Storgē (στοργή) – natural family affection (implied in Romans 12:10, philostorgoi).
Eros – romantic/sexual love (not used in the NT text, but present in Greek culture).
God Is Love
The most radical statement in Scripture about love is:
“God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16).
This does not mean “love is God” (as if any feeling of affection is divine), but that love is essential to God’s nature. Everything He does—creation, judgment, discipline, mercy, miracles—is consistent with His love.
The Great Commandments
Jesus defines the core of biblical love in two commandments:
“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind… And… You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37–39)
Love is:
Total devotion to God (all heart, soul, mind, strength – Mark 12:30).
Self-respecting, self-giving care for others (“as yourself”).
Paul summarizes:
“Love is the fulfillment of the law.” (Romans 13:10)
So biblically, love is:
Rooted in God’s own nature.
Expressed in covenant faithfulness and obedience.
Manifested in sacrificial, others-centered action.
The supreme command and the ultimate measure of spiritual maturity.
2. Old Testament Foundation of Love
Love is not a New Testament innovation. It is woven into the entire story of Israel.
Love in the Law
The Shema is Israel’s central confession:
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” (Deuteronomy 6:4–5)
This love is:
Exclusive – no other gods (Deuteronomy 6:14).
Obedient – love is expressed by keeping His commandments (Deuteronomy 7:9; 10:12–13).
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18)
This is given in a context of:
Not harboring hatred (Leviticus 19:17).
Not taking vengeance or bearing grudges.
Treating the poor, the foreigner, and the vulnerable with justice and compassion (Leviticus 19:9–10, 33–34).
So from the beginning, love for God and love for neighbor are inseparable.
Love in the Covenant
God’s relationship with Israel is described in terms of covenant love (hesed – חֶסֶד, often “steadfast love,” “lovingkindness,” or “mercy”).
“The LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy (hesed) for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin…” (Exodus 34:6–7)
Hesed is:
Loyal love.
Faithful kindness.
Love that keeps covenant even when the other party is unfaithful (Hosea 2–3).
Love in the Prophets and Writings
Hosea: God’s love is portrayed as a faithful husband to an unfaithful wife (Hosea 1–3).
Jeremiah: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.” (Jeremiah 31:3).
Proverbs: Love is practical—kindness, generosity, faithfulness in relationships (Proverbs 10:12; 17:17).
The Old Testament reveals:
A God whose love is initiating (He chooses Israel),
Persistent (He disciplines but does not abandon),
Redemptive (He promises a new covenant where His law is written on hearts – Jeremiah 31:31–34).
3. The Fulfillment of Love in Christ
Jesus is the perfect revelation of God’s love and the embodiment of the Great Commandment.
Jesus Reveals the Father’s Love
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” (John 3:16)
The cross is the ultimate demonstration of love:
God gave (sacrificial generosity).
God gave His only Son (the most precious gift).
He did this for a rebellious world, not for friends (Romans 5:8).
John writes:
“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)
Love starts with God’s initiative, not our performance.
Jesus’ Life of Love
Jesus fulfilled the Law of love perfectly:
He loved the Father with perfect obedience (John 8:29; 14:31).
He loved people with compassion, healing, deliverance, and truth.
Examples:
Compassionate healing: “He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.” (Matthew 14:14).
Deliverance: He set the oppressed free (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38).
Truth in love: He confronted sin (John 4; John 8) but always with the goal of restoration.
The New Commandment
Jesus raises the standard:
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you…” (John 13:34)
The “newness” is in the measure and model:
Not just “as yourself,” but “as I have loved you”—sacrificial, cross-shaped love.
This love becomes the mark of true discipleship:
“By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35)
Love and the Cross
At the cross:
Jesus loves His enemies (Luke 23:34).
He gives His life as a ransom (Mark 10:45).
He breaks the power of sin that prevents us from loving God and others.
Christ is the fulfillment of the Law of love (Matthew 5:17; Romans 10:4), and through His death and resurrection, He opens the way for us to receive a new heart and a new Spirit (Ezekiel 36:26–27), enabling us to walk in love.
4. The Power for Today: The Holy Spirit and Love
This is where continuationist theology is vital: we cannot walk in divine love by human effort alone. We need the present, active power of the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit Pours Out God’s Love
“The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:5)
Notice:
Love is poured out, not dripped in.
It is God’s love, not merely human sentiment.
The Holy Spirit is the agent—He makes God’s love a living reality within us.
This is more than doctrine; it is an experiential work:
The Spirit makes the Father’s love real (Romans 8:15–16).
He testifies that we are God’s children, producing security instead of fear (1 John 4:18).
The Fruit of the Spirit
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love…” (Galatians 5:22)
Love is listed first, and in many ways, all other fruit (joy, peace, patience, kindness, etc.) are expressions of love. Fruit is:
Produced by the Spirit, not manufactured by fleshly effort.
Grown over time as we abide in Christ (John 15:4–5).
Love and Spiritual Gifts
In a Charismatic context, we must hear Paul’s warning:
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1)
Tongues, prophecy, faith to move mountains, generosity, even martyrdom—without love, profit nothing (1 Corinthians 13:1–3).
Love is the more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:31–13:13).
We are to pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 14:1). Not one or the other—both—but love is the priority.
The gifts of the Spirit must be:
Motivated by love (to edify, not to impress).
Governed by love (patient, kind, not self-seeking – 1 Corinthians 13:4–7).
Expressed in love (prophecy, healing, deliverance as expressions of God’s heart).
Love, Authority, and Power
True spiritual authority flows from love:
Jesus moved in authority over sickness, demons, and nature, but always from a heart of compassion (Matthew 9:36; 14:14).
Faith works through love (Galatians 5:6). Where love is strong, faith is energized.
When you:
Know you are loved by God,
Are filled with love for people,
you can boldly exercise authority over the works of darkness (Luke 10:19), because:
You are aligned with God’s heart.
You seek His glory and others’ good, not your own reputation.
Love is not weak. It:
Confronts demons (Mark 1:23–26).
Confronts sin (Revelation 3:19).
Confronts injustice (Isaiah 1:17).
The Holy Spirit empowers believers today to:
Heal the sick out of love (Mark 16:17–18; John 14:12).
Prophesy words of edification, exhortation, and comfort (1 Corinthians 14:3) motivated by love.
Endure persecution in love (Romans 5:3–5; Acts 7:59–60).
Expecting God to Move in Love
When you minister:
Ask the Holy Spirit: “Show me how You love this person right now.”
Expect Him to give you words of knowledge, prophetic insight, healing power, deliverance—all as expressions of His love.
Remember: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). The same love that healed lepers and raised the dead is active through His body today.
5. Practical Application: Walking in Love
Here are 5 concrete steps to walk in this truth, in the power of the Spirit.
1. Receive God’s Love by Faith
You cannot give what you have not received.
Meditate on Scriptures about God’s love (John 3:16; Romans 8:31–39; 1 John 3:1).
Pray: “Holy Spirit, pour the love of God into my heart. Reveal the Father’s love to me.” (Romans 5:5; Ephesians 3:16–19).
Renounce lies that say you are unlovable or rejected. Replace them with truth: “I am accepted in the Beloved” (Ephesians 1:6).
2. Surrender Your Will in Obedience
Love for God is expressed in obedience:
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
Ask: “Lord, is there any area where I am resisting You?”
Repent quickly when the Spirit convicts.
Make a daily practice: “Not my will, but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
Obedience opens the flow of love and intimacy (John 14:21, 23).
3. Pray Daily to Be Filled with the Spirit
Love is the fruit of the Spirit, so you must stay filled.
Pray Ephesians 5:18: “Lord, fill me afresh with Your Spirit.”
Spend time worshiping, praying in tongues, and waiting on God (Jude 20–21).
Expect the Spirit to adjust your attitudes, soften your heart, and give you His perspective on people.
4. Intentionally Love People in Action
Love is not theory; it is action.
Start at home: spouse, children, roommates—serve them in practical ways.
In the church: look for someone to encourage, pray for, or help each gathering (Hebrews 10:24–25).
In the world: show kindness to the poor, the lonely, the difficult (Matthew 25:35–40).
Ask the Holy Spirit:
“Who do You want me to love today?”
“How can I demonstrate Your love to them?”
Then obey the promptings—call, visit, give, pray, encourage, forgive.
5. Practice Forgiveness and Blessing
Unforgiveness blocks the flow of love.
Remember Jesus’ command:
“Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you…” (Matthew 5:44).
When hurt, go before God and forgive by faith (Mark 11:25).
Verbally bless those who wrong you; pray for their good.
Ask the Holy Spirit to heal your emotions and fill you with genuine love for them.
As you do this consistently, you will find that supernatural love—beyond your natural capacity—begins to operate in you.
6. Key Scriptures on Love (With Brief Commentary)
Deuteronomy 6:4–5
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.”
Foundation of all biblical love: total, exclusive devotion to the one true God.
Leviticus 19:18
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.”
Love for neighbor is not optional; it is commanded and rooted in God’s own authority.
John 3:16
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…”
The clearest summary of God’s love: universal in scope, sacrificial in nature, redemptive in purpose.
John 13:34–35
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you… By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
The distinguishing mark of true disciples is not gifts, knowledge, or power, but Christlike love.
Romans 5:5
“The love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Love is not self-generated; it is imparted by the Holy Spirit. This is the key to supernatural love.
1 Corinthians 13:4–8
“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself…”
A practical description of love’s character. This is the “mirror” we hold up to our lives and ministries.
1 John 4:7–12
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God… In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world…”
Love proves that we know God. God’s love in Christ is both the model and the source of our love.
Conclusion
Love is the essence of God’s nature, the heart of His covenant, the fulfillment of the Law, and the supreme command for every believer. In Christ, love is revealed and fulfilled; in the Holy Spirit, love is poured out and empowered for today.
As you:
Receive the Father’s love,
Surrender in obedient devotion,
Stay filled with the Spirit,
Actively love others in word and deed,
you will find that love becomes not just a doctrine, but a supernatural lifestyle—a living demonstration of the God who is love, moving in power through His people in this present age.