In Love VS Abiding in Love

 

In Love VS Abiding in Love

Ephesians 4:15: "Hold fast to the truth in love."

John 15:9–10: "Abiding in my love…as ​​I also abide in the love of the Father."

1 John 4:16: "He who abides in love abides in God." 

Category	In Love	Abiding in Love
Meaning	Acting, speaking, and living according to God’s divine love—an outward realm of action.	Remaining habitually in God’s love—a continual inward dwelling. To abide in love is to abide in God, and God abides in us (1 John 4:16).
Distinction	Can be partial, occasional, or temporary; an outward expression in certain situations.	A continuous, stable, “resident” living; not occasional but habitual and unbroken.
Reason	God is love (1 John 4:8,16). He manifested this love by sending His Son as our Savior and our life (1 John 4:9–10,14). We are called to love one another (John 13:34).	The Lord commands us to abide in His love (John 15:9–10). Abiding in love equals abiding in God, enabling God to abide in us (1 John 4:16).
Purpose	To express God’s life and character outwardly so that others may see Him (John 13:35).	To be organically one with God—God becoming our inner life and outer living; letting the flow of love, life, and light remain uninterrupted.
Explanation	Walking in love means taking God’s love as the principle: forgiving, accepting, building up others.	Abiding in love means living in the atmosphere of God’s love, letting God Himself be the source and supply of our loving. This is a living of inward content (God) and outward expression (God).
Examples	Peter shepherds the Lord’s sheep out of love (John 21:15–17). Paul speaks truth and builds the Body in love (Eph. 4:15).	Jesus abides in the Father’s love (John 15:10). John leaning on Jesus’ breast (John 13:23), signifying a life of abiding fellowship.
Application	Treating the saints in love: speaking truth, forgiving, bearing, building (Eph. 5:2). Acting with love as the principle.	Keeping ourselves in God’s love (Jude 21). Daily touching the Lord in our spirit so that His love becomes our source—not natural love. Maintaining unbroken fellowship.
Burden	That the saints do everything in love (1 Cor. 16:14). That the church life is filled with the expression of love.	That saints not only act in love but abide in love, making God visible. The burden is to transform love from outward behavior into inward dwelling.
Prophetic Direction	Speak building, comforting, and encouraging words in love to supply others.	Lead saints back to God Himself—to dwell in His love. Prophecy should bring saints into the source of love, not merely convey ideas.
Conclusion	In love = outward action, expression of Christian living.	Abiding in love = inward dwelling, organic union with God. Abiding in love enables walking in love; walking in love deepens abiding.
Expanded Scriptures	John 13:34–35: “Love one another…by this everyone will know you are my disciples.” Ephesians 4:15: “Hold fast to the truth in love.” Ephesians 5:2: “Walk in love.” John 21:15–17 (Peter’s pastoral care).	John 15:9–10: “Abiding in my love…as ​​I abide in the love of the Father.” Jude 21: “Keep yourself in the love of God.” John 13:23 (John leans on the Lord’s breast). 1 John 4:9–10, 14 (God sends his Son to show his love).

 

Core Key Points:

• God is love; His love is expressed by sending His Son.
• To walk in love is to live by God’s love as the principle of action.
• To abide in love is to dwell in God Himself, allowing Him to dwell in us.
• Abiding in love = abiding in God → organic union.
• The love we express to others must be God Himself, not natural love.

 

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training: General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7 - Extremely Important Aspects - Week 6: Be Perfect, Just as Perfect as Our Heavenly Father.

“Two Aspects of the Perfected New Man: Organic Constitution vs. Functional Perfecting”

 

“Two Aspects of the Perfected New Man: Organic Constitution vs. Functional Perfecting”

Ephesians 2:15 — “...creating the two in Himself into one new man.”
Ephesians 4:13–15 — “Until we all arrive… at a full-grown man… holding to truth in love, we may grow up into Him.”
Ephesians 4:12–16 — “For the perfecting of the saints… for the building up of the Body of Christ… according to the operation in the measure of each one part…”

Category	Organic Constitution  (Growth in Life)	Functional Perfecting  (Fulfilling the Ministry / Building the Body)
Meaning	Refers to the new man being constituted with Christ in life, becoming complete organically through the growth of life. Like a newborn baby who already possesses all organs but must be nourished to mature, organic constitution is not an outward addition but an inward infusion of Christ as life. It emphasizes the inner essence—becoming Christ.	Refers to the new man being perfected to function in the Body: operating according to each member’s measure, serving, supplying, and building up the Body. As a child who grows and begins using his organs, functional perfecting is the outward expression of inward growth. It emphasizes practical operation—building the Body.
Difference	Internal, organic, hidden, centered on Christ’s inward work; the focus is life and being.	External, expressed, corporate, related to the saints’ coordination; the focus is function and doing.
Reason	Because Christ must be wrought into us (Col. 3:10–11) so that the new man can grow and express Christ. Organic constitution is necessary for a real new man.	Because the new man must accomplish God’s eternal economy through building the Body (Eph. 4:12–16). Life growth is the root, functional perfecting is the goal.
Means	Nourishment by the Word, enjoyment of life, renewing, being supplied by Christ, care and cherishing (Eph. 5:29), allowing Christ to make His home in our heart (Eph. 3:17).	The perfecting work of the gifted members (Eph. 4:12), shepherding, coordination, service, practicing the spirit, mutual building up, corporate learning.
Result	Maturity in life, possessing the measure of Christ, not tossed by winds of teaching (Eph. 4:14), expressing Christ.	Every saint functioning, the Body growing and building itself up in love (Eph. 4:16), the perfected new man becoming the prepared bride (Rev. 19:7).
Examples	Saints growing through morning revival, pray-reading, calling on the Lord, receiving nourishment; like a child who grows through feeding.	Saints functioning in shepherding, gospel, home meetings, prophesying, coordinating in service; like mature organs operating properly.
Application	Daily morning revival, pray-reading, meditation, hidden times with the Lord, turning to the spirit, living in fellowship.	Participating in practical church service, shepherding, coordination, perfecting meetings, small groups, functioning to supply others.
Burden	To let Christ be constituted into us, rejecting mere doctrines and emphasizing true life growth so the new man is organic, real, and substantial.	To perfect every saint unto their function so that the Body is built up practically and the bride is prepared.
Prophecy Pointers	Speak concerning: Christ being wrought into us, putting on the new man, being renewed in life, growing in life, Christ being all and in all.	Speak concerning: every member functioning, coordination of the Body, perfecting the saints, building up in love, preparing the bride.
Expanded Scriptures	Ephesians 4:13–15 — “Until we all arrive… at a full-grown man… holding to truth in love, we may grow up into Him.” Ephesians 5:29 — “Nourishes and cherishes it.” Colossians 3:10–11 — “…renewed… where Christ is all and in all.” John 10:10 — “I came that they may have life and may have it abundantly.”	Ephesians 4:12–16 — “For the perfecting of the saints… for the building up of the Body of Christ… according to the operation in the measure of each one part…” Ephesians 4:14 — “No longer little children… tossed by waves and carried about by every wind of teaching.” Revelation 19:7 — “The bride has made herself ready.”

 

Conclusion: 

l   Organic constitution is the inner foundation of the new man; without growth in life the new man cannot be real nor functional.

l   Functional perfecting is the practical expression of the new man; it consummates in the prepared bride and the Lord’s return.

 

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training: General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7 - Extremely Important Aspects - Week 6: Be Perfect, Just as Perfect as Our Heavenly Father.

“Praying on the Mountain (Fellowship) — The Hidden Life VS Going Downward to Take Root (Bearing Fruit) — The Life in the Depths”

 

“Praying on the Mountain (Fellowship) — The Hidden Life VS Going Downward to Take Root (Bearing Fruit) — The Life in the Depths”

Matthew 14:22–23“He made the disciples get into the boat… and He went up to the mountain privately to pray. And when evening fell, He was there alone.”

Psalm 42:7“Deep calls unto deep at the sound of Your waterfalls; all Your waves and billows have passed over me.”

Isaiah 37:31“The remnant… will again take root downward and bear fruit upward.” 

Category	Praying on the Mountain — Hidden Life	Going Downward to Take Root — Life in the Depths
Meaning	To be alone with the Father, remaining in the secret, unseen foundation of life (Matt. 14:23; 6:6).	To let the divine life root deeply in Christ so that the outward expression is solid and lasting (Isa. 37:31; Col. 2:6–7).
Reason	Jesus left the crowd and the excitement of the miracle in order to be one with the Father and secure His presence (Matt. 14:22–23; Luke 6:12).	Without a deep life, we cannot reach others’ depths; without roots, believers cannot endure trials (Psa. 42:7; Matt. 13:5–6).
Distinction	Invisible, on the mountain, in secret fellowship with the Father; focused on inner supply and hidden strength.	Underground, unobserved, producing spiritual solidity so that the life can bear fruit.
Explanation	Jesus went up the mountain alone, apart from the crowd and even His disciples, to remain one with the Father (Matt. 14:23). Believers are instructed to enter their inner room and pray to the Father in secret (Matt. 6:6).	“Deep calls unto deep”—only deep experiences can touch another’s deep part (Psa. 42:7). The stony-ground believer grows quickly but withers because he has no root (Matt. 13:20–21).
Purpose	To gain the Father’s heart, presence, and guidance so that every work flows from the hidden place.	To give depth, endurance, and stability so the believer may bear lasting spiritual fruit (Isa. 37:31).
Examples	Jesus, after feeding the five thousand, withdrew to the mountain to pray (Matt. 14:22–23). Jesus prayed the whole night (Luke 6:12).	The “good earth” receives the word deeply (Matt. 13:23). Believers grow by absorbing Christ in the good land (Col. 2:6–7).
Application	Learn to leave the crowd, noise, family, friends, and earthly affairs; practice spending time alone with the Lord on a “high mountain.” Practice secret prayer (Matt. 6:6).	Spend morning time absorbing Christ; allow Him to deal with hidden sins, anxieties, and worldly distractions (Matt. 13:22).
Interrelationship	Mountain prayer provides the hidden foundation.	Rooting downward makes that hidden life become visible fruit. Both form a complete kingdom life.
Burden	God desires a people who meet Him in secret, not those who remain in outward activity alone.	God desires believers whose inward depth matches their outward appearance.
Prophetic Speaking Direction	Speaking should come from the secret place so that it carries weight and the Lord’s presence.	Prophetic speaking should rise from deep experiences, not mere doctrine.
Conclusion	Without the hidden mountain life, there is no power or presence.	Without deep roots, there is no fruit; without depth, we cannot touch others. Both are indispensable.
Expanded Scriptures	Matthew 6:6“When you pray, enter into your private room… and pray to your Father who is in secret.” Luke 6:12“He went out to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.”	Matthew 13:5–6, 20–23“…because they had no root, they withered.” “The one sown on good ground… bears fruit, a hundredfold, sixtyfold, thirtyfold.” Colossians 2:6–7“…having been rooted and being built up in Him…”

 

Key Points Summary

1.      The hidden life produces inward supply; the rooted life produces outward fruit.

2.      Mountain prayer forms intimacy with the Father; deep rooting forms stability in life.

3.      Only deep experiences can touch deep needs—“deep calls unto deep.”

4.      The secret place and the deep rooting together form a mature kingdom living.

 

*Consulte la Capacitación Internacional de Ancianos y Hermanos Responsables de mayo de 2025: Tema general: Mateo, capítulos 5-7 - Aspectos sumamente importantes - Semana 5: El pueblo del Reino tiene experiencias personales de oración, se comunica con su Padre Celestial en secreto y experimenta el gozo secreto del Padre.