“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren” - 1 John 3:14
The Foundation of Genuine Spiritual Life
Divine Love is the supreme evidence of a genuine spiritual life. This love, flowing from God’s very nature, expresses itself not merely in emotional sentiment or religious duties but in practical and transformative (life-changing) actions. When this love is demonstrated and expressed in the life of a Believer, the invisible reality of spiritual life becomes visible, supplying tangible proof of divine transformation.
Think about John’s confident words: “We know that we have passed from death unto life.” This love doesn’t come from human effort, following religious rules, or knowing correct doctrine. Instead, it comes from showing God’s love in practical ways. This love doesn’t flow from our efforts or emotions—it comes from God’s own life working through vessels that are yielded to Him. This provides unmistakable evidence of spiritual transformation, marking the difference between religious profession and spiritual possession, between claiming to be religious and truly having His life within us.
Living in Christ: The Source of Love
This Divine Love is rooted in our abiding in Christ, staying connected to His Life. The original Greek word menō meaning “to dwell continuously,” and it reveals that true spiritual life isn’t demonstrated from occasional religious engagement but from constant fellowship and communion with Christ. “Whoever abides in Him does not sin” (1 John 3:6), emphasizes to us that genuine fellowship with Christ frees us from sin’s control and dominion.
True Christianity flows from an abiding relationship, not religious performance. Cain’s example from Scripture shows us this—his religious offerings, though outwardly correct, came from not knowing God’s heart and His true desires. He lacked the revelation and understanding that only comes from close and intimate fellowship with God and experiencing His Divine Love.
Many religious activities can be performed even when the heart is disconnected from His Divine Love and without having a proper knowledge of Christ, but only those who “abide in Him” can express His love authentically.
The Manifestation of Divine Love
Biblical Distinctions of Love:
- Affectionate Love (phileō)
- Encompasses various expressions of human love, relationships, and shared intimacy - including deep affection, personal attachment, and emotional warmth.
- Includes brotherly love, which is a deep, affectionate love between friends and spiritual family that grows through shared experiences, trust, and commitment.
- This love responds to and relies on reciprocal love and can be significantly influenced by how others treat us.
- Divine Love (agapē)
- The highest form of love in the New Testament.
- It flows directly from God’s nature, expressing selfless, limitless, unconditional, and sacrificial love.
- Divine Love functions independently without expecting anything in return, regardless of the response or reciprocation.
- It also models the love that Believers are called to have for one another.
- This Love is founded not on feelings, but on a conscious choice to act for the well-being of others, mirroring God’s nature.
While human love responds to merit, Divine Love flows from God’s character and nature. While natural affection fluctuates with circumstance, Divine Love remains constant through every season. This higher love expresses not merely human kindness but divine character reaching beyond natural capacity to manifest supernatural grace.
The practical expression of Divine Love first manifests in spiritual perception, which is the way we see others. Those possessed by this love begin to see others through heaven’s eyes, as God sees, looking past the surface to perceive the eternal value of each soul. This transformed vision leads naturally to transformed action, as Divine Love compels practical expression of spiritual concern.
The Role of Love in Unity
Divine Love creates genuine spiritual unity. Beyond organizational alignment or doctrinal agreement, this love produces authentic communion among believers. It manifests in practical care, moving beyond mere sentiment to active support. Those expressing Divine Love find themselves naturally drawn to bear one another’s burdens, to strengthen the weak, and to encourage the fainthearted.
Characteristics of Divine Love in Action:
- It maintains fellowship despite difficulty.
- Chooses unity over division, reconciliation over separation
- When confronted with weakness in others, Divine Love responds not with criticism but with intercession, not with judgment but with support
- It actively seeks opportunities to strengthen faith, build unity, and promote spiritual growth.
Furthermore, Divine Love transforms conflict resolution. Beyond merely maintaining peace, it actively pursues restoration. Those expressing this love find themselves supernaturally enabled to forgive offenses, overcome prejudice, and bridge divisions. Natural reactions give way to spiritual responses as Divine Love flows through yielded hearts.
Putting Love into Action
Living in God’s Love requires daily choices. Each day brings chances to either react naturally or respond with God’s Love. Victory comes when we consistently choose to let God’s nature, not our natural tendencies, guide our responses.
This truth needs to grip our hearts: God’s Love isn’t mainly about feelings—it’s about action. It’s not about what we say but what we do. When we let His Love flow through us, it proves that His Life is in us, changing not just our own hearts but entire church communities.
A Prayer for Today
Heavenly Father,
Let Your Love flow freely through us as we yield to You. Help us choose Your way of responding instead of our natural reactions. Help us see others as You see them and respond as You would respond. May our practical acts of love show others that Your Life is in us. Make us channels of Your Love in action.
In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” - John 13:35
“When Divine Love is projected, and it comes to the end of its course, sovereign grace will stand in and take its place.” - Rev. William Branham, 57-0305 - Divine Love
Remember: God’s Divine Love proves that our spiritual life is real. When we stay close to Christ, His Love flows through us, changing how we treat others and showing the world that we belong to Him.