The Love of the Triune God vs. the Life, Living, and Building of God’s People

 

The Love of the Triune God vs. the Life, Living, and Building of God’s People

John 14:21 He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me; and he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and show myself to him.

John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my commandments, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make a home with him.”

Jeremiah 2:2 “Go and cry out in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord, I remember the love of your youth, the love of your wedding days, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown.’

Jeremiah 31:3 The Lord appeared to me from afar and said, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love, therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.

 

Aspect	Love of the Triune God  (Father, Son, Spirit)	Life, Living, and Building of God's People
Nature & Source of Love	Meaning: God Himself is love (1 John 4:8), the source and essence of love Distinction: God's love is original, eternal, and unconditional Example: Loved us before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4-5)  Application: Serves as the standard and driving force for all love Related Verses: 1 John 4:8,16,19; John 3:16; Eph. 1:4-5	Meaning: The life of love received from God enables us to live out the life of love Distinction: The love of God's people is derived from God, requiring constant reception and renewal Example: Christians have the commandment of brotherly love from the beginning of their Christian life (1 John 2:7-8) Application: Practice loving God and loving people in daily life Related Verses: 1 John 3:14; 5:1; 2:5-6; 4:17
Dispensing & Receiving of Love	Meaning: God actively infuses His divine element into His people Distinction: God is the giver of love, actively bestowing grace Example: God first loved us and infused love into us (1 John 4:19) Application: Dispenses life through word, prayer, and fellowship Related Verses: 1 John 4:19-21; 2 Cor. 13:14	Meaning: Spending time in God's word and fellowshipping with Him to receive God's dispensing Distinction: God's people are receivers of love, needing to actively seek Example: The psalmist loved God's word, meditating day and night (Psa. 119:140,15-16) Application: Receive God's love through reading, praying, and meeting Related Verses: Psa. 119:140,15-16; John 14:21,23
Character & Expression of Love	Meaning: God's love is like mighty waters, not easily offended Distinction: God's love is unconditional, unchanging, and perfect Example: God loves enemies, causes sun to rise on evil and good (Matt. 5:43-48) Application: Serves as the standard and example of love Related Verses: Matt. 5:43-48; 2 Cor. 5:14	Meaning: Need to lay down natural love and receive divine love Distinction: Natural love is easily offended and needs to be dealt with by the cross Example: We must learn to love enemies, transcending natural love Application: Practice transcendent love in practical life Related Verses: 2 Cor. 5:14; 2 Tim. 1:7
Goal & Result of Love	Meaning: To make His people one with Him as His spouse Distinction: God's love is for accomplishing His eternal plan Example: God desires to obtain a bride (Rev. 19:7-9) Application: Drives the completion of the entire plan of salvation Related Verses: Jer. 2:2; 31:3; Eph. 5:25-32	Meaning: To be the same as God in life, nature, and expression Distinction: God's people respond to God's love and participate in His plan Example: The church prepares to be Christ's bride (Eph. 5:25-27) Application: Practice spousal love in church life Related Verses: Eph. 4:16; Rev. 19:7-9
Building Function of Love	Meaning: Love is the power and method of building Distinction: God's love provides the power and blueprint for building Example: "Only love builds up" (1 Cor. 8:1) Application: Overcomes the pride of knowledge through love Related Verses: 1 Cor. 8:1; 12:31-13:8	Meaning: The Body of Christ builds itself up in love Distinction: God's people actually carry out the work of building in love Example: Each member builds up one another in love (Eph. 4:15-16) Application: Deny self and love brothers in church life Related Verses: Eph. 4:15-16,29-5:2; 1 John 3:16
Testimony & Sign of Love	Meaning: God's love proves what God is and what He does Distinction: God's love is the expression of His nature Example: God sent His only Son as propitiation (1 John 4:9-10) Application: Manifests God's love to the world Related Verses: 1 John 4:9-10; John 3:16	Meaning: Loving one another is the sign of belonging to Christ Distinction: The love of God's people is the expression of God's life within them >Example: Disciples love one another, and all recognize they are Christ's disciples (John 13:34-35) Application: Bear witness to Christ before the world Related Verses: John 13:34-35; 1 John 4:21
Practice & Maturity of Love	Meaning: God's love is perfect and mature love Distinction: God's love never changes, eternally perfect Example: God's love is from everlasting to everlasting (Psa. 103:17) Application: Serves as the perfect standard of love Related Verses: Psa. 103:17; James 1:17	Meaning: Need to grow up in love and reach perfection Distinction: The love of God's people needs constant practice and growth Example: Continual renewal from old commandment to new commandment (1 John 2:7-8) Application: Practice mature love in practical life Related Verses: 1 John 2:7-8; 3:11,23; 4:17
Most Excellent Way of Love	Meaning: God's love transcends all spiritual gifts and powers Distinction: God's love itself is the highest standard Example: Love never fails, transcends all gifts (1 Cor. 13:8) Application: Points to the highest goal of spiritual pursuit Related Verses: 1 Cor. 13:1-8	Meaning: In church building, love is the most excellent way Distinction: God's people need to pursue the most excellent way, which is the way of love Example: Lay down life for brothers, supply life to them (1 John 3:16) Application: Take love as the way in both being and doing Related Verses: 1 Cor. 12:31-13:8; 1 John 3:16; John 15:13

 

Summary Points: 

l   Foundation: God Himself is love, the source and standard of all love

l   Dispensing: God actively infuses love into His people, enabling them to respond with love

l   Nature: Divine love transcends natural love and is not easily offended

l   Goal: To make God and His people one, completing the preparation of the bride

l   Building: Love is the only way to build the church, overcoming the pride of knowledge

l   Testimony: Loving one another is the sign of Christ's disciples

l   Maturity: From old commandment to new commandment, continual renewal in love

l   Transcendence: Love is the most excellent way, transcending all spiritual pursuits

  

*Please refer to the 2025 Memorial Day Blending Conference. General Topic: Preparation of the Bride. Chapter 2: Building the Bride.