1 John 4:7-11 ~ “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

[8] He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

[9] In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.

[10] Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

[11] Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.”

LOVE is the basic and the most foundational virtue. The only source of love is God and without Him, true love does not exist. It is love in its purest form and only associated with God. Because of its source, it is considered the greatest and the highest virtue.

Man has no capability to produce love without God. It is not inherent in man; and not a part of human nature. Love was given to Adam and Eve at their creation before sin entered. When sin entered, man became totally depraved, and man’s nature became sinful. God’s perfect and pure love departed from them. God’s pure love can never co-exist with sin. However, because of God’s unconditional love; from the moment sin entered He planned to redeem man. It is His first act of love expressing grace and mercy.

The "Agape" love is not a natural result of human growth. The Bible is very clear it is “of the Spirit.” Without His presence, there is no love. Those who are not in Christ have no love, whatsoever. Unbelievers do not have the love of God. No wonder the kind of love people have in today’s world is shown in so many wicked and ungodly behaviors. It remains a feeling, without commitment.

There is no amount of human effort or personal sacrifice that can produce this spiritual fruit, but only through the Spirit’s control in a willing heart. We cannot produce the type of love God desires without the leading and the strength of the Holy Spirit. When the Holy Spirit indwells a person at the moment of salvation, love is restored. It is the first godly virtue to be restored. From this foundational virtue, other virtues come out.

The usage of the word love in Greek is precise. Agape love is not simply a feeling. It is a commitment a child of God can make for he has been given the capacity and the capability to love, through the presence and power of the Spirit. This love is “AGAPAO,” God’s unconditional love. It can be applied to any kinds of relationship:

1. “Storge” - family relationship

2. “Phileo” - friendly relationship

3. “Eros” - physical and intimate relationship

4. “Agape” - another form of human relationship, including loving the enemies.

“AGAPE” love can also be expressed in many ways. These are the bi-products of “AGAPAO.” Galatians 5:22-23. It manifests in:

1. JOY

2. PEACE

3. LONGSUFFERING

4. GENTLENESS

5. GOODNESS

6. FAITH

7. MEEKNESS

8. TEMPERANCE

Conclusion:

Love is the greatest gift of all. It was delivered and packaged in the person of Jesus Christ when He took our punishment on the cross and died to save us from the penalty of sin. Anyone can claim this gift of eternal life by repentance towards God, and faith towards the Lord Jesus Christ.

The believers are completely secure in His love. Once a person receives God’s love, he can never be separated from it. God gave us His love not only to know and enjoy that He cares, but with His love, we will also care and love one another, including those who hate us. His love allows us to be a channel of blessing and at the same time be blessed by His love.