Biblical divine love is the love that God has for humanity and that He commands His people to have for Him and for one another. The word that is used in the Bible to describe this kind of love is agape, which comes from the Greek word ἀγάπη. Agape is not based on feelings, emotions, or attraction, but on the willful choice to seek the best for others, even at a personal cost.
Agape is the highest form of love, because it reflects the nature and character of God Himself. The Bible says that “God is love” (1 John 4:8,16) and that He demonstrated His agape love by sending His Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins (John 3:16; Romans 5:8). God’s agape love is perfect, unconditional, sacrificial, and pure. It does not depend on our performance, our worthiness, or our response. It is a gift that we can receive by faith and that we can share with others by His grace.
Agape is also the love that Jesus commanded His followers to have for God and for one another. When asked what was the greatest commandment, Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” (Matthew 22:37-40). Jesus also said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35).
To love God with agape means to worship Him, obey Him, serve Him, and trust Him with all our being. To love our neighbor with agape means to treat them with respect, kindness, compassion, forgiveness, and generosity, regardless of who they are or what they have done. To love one another with agape means to live in unity, harmony, peace, and mutual edification as members of the body of Christ.
Biblical divine love is not easy or natural for us to practice, because we are sinful and selfish by nature. We need the help of the Holy Spirit to enable us to love as God loves. The Bible says that “the fruit of the Spirit is love” (Galatians 5:22) and that “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5). As we abide in Christ and His Word, we can grow in our understanding and experience of His agape love and we can express it more fully in our relationships with Him and with others.
Biblical divine love is the most powerful force in the universe, because it is the essence of who God is and what He does. It is the source of our salvation, our sanctification, and our service. It is the motivation for our obedience, our worship, and our witness. It is the bond of our fellowship, our unity, and our joy. It is the mark of our discipleship, our maturity, and our authenticity. It is the goal of our faith, our hope, and our love.
References:
[1] Agape – Wikipedia
[2] God’s Divine Love is — Full of Grace – Billy Graham Evangelistic Association
[3] 4 Types of Love in the Bible – Learn Religions
[4] What does the Bible say about love? | GotQuestions.org