The concept of love, specifically agape (G26), emerges as a profound theme in the narrative of Abraham and Isaac. This love, characterized as unconditional and sacrificial, parallels the range of meanings from brotherly care to the deepest form of devotion. In the story, God's description of Abraham's affection for Isaac introduces this significant idea of love, reflecting a human echo of the divine bond between the Father and the Son. God emphasizes Abraham's love for his son to highlight a broader truth, pointing toward His own boundless love for His Son, Jesus Christ. This fatherly love, showcased in Abraham's relationship with Isaac, serves as a type, illustrating the foundational love of the Father for the Son, which underpins the process of salvation and the extension of that love to all of God's children. Through the first mentions of love in the gospels, this theme expands, revealing not only the Father's singular affection for His Son but also His encompassing love for the world, aiming ultimately to benefit every human being through the sacrifice of His beloved Son. Thus, the love between the Father and the Son stands as the cornerstone of salvation, initiating a process that invites all to share in this divine relationship and to extend such love to others through the Holy Spirit.

God's love, as described in I John 4:8 and 16, embodies thought, motive, and action, always leading to deeds in the best interest of others and aligned with God's plan and purpose. There is no conflict between God's love and God's law; His commandments reflect His way of life, and keeping them is an expression of agape, as seen in John 14:21, 15:10, and I John 5:3. Walking in love ensures no harm comes to a neighbor, as it is inherently tied to doing what is best for everyone. Jesus Christ builds on the commandment to love our neighbor as ourselves, emphasizing a deeper spirit of love by commanding us to love as He loves, even to the point of laying down one's life for friends, as stated in John 13:34 and 15:12-13. God's love is not based on emotion or merit; it is given freely, reflecting God's Spirit, which extends love to the undeserving, just as He did for us when we were sinners. In Luke 6:35-36, Jesus teaches that to become like God, we must walk in His Spirit, showing kindness and mercy to all, even to the unthankful and evil. I Corinthians 13:4 highlights that God's love is kind, a simple yet profound trait linked with mercy, often interchangeable with lovingkindness in the Old Testament, as seen in Hosea 6:6. God's Spirit is rich in mercy and kindness, saving us through unmerited grace. Jesus commands us to love one another without ethnic or social boundaries, as illustrated in the story of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10, where mercy and lovingkindness are shown to an enemy in need. He instructs us to go and do likewise, extending love through acts of kindness and mercy to anyone in need, just as He did for us. God's love, poured into our hearts, motivates us to reflect His nature by walking in good works of lovingkindness and mercy, as we are created to be like Him.

The concept of agape (G26), as godly love, stands in stark contrast to the superficial notions of love often depicted in popular music. This divine love originates from God Himself, expressed eternally between the Father and the Son, demonstrating an outgoing concern that seeks the good of others. It is not a love that remains inward or self-focused but one that manifests in relationships and actions, beginning with the mutual love within the God Family before extending to creation and humanity. God's agape is the foundation of His plan to share this love with billions of beings, whom He desires to call His children. This love expressed itself in the creation of angels, matter, and ultimately Adam and Eve, showing through outward acts and deeds rather than mere words. Even when humanity sinned, God's agape provided redemption through the predetermined sacrifice of Jesus Christ, planned from the foundation of the world, revealing a profound love that covers sin for all, even the most wicked, if they accept and repent. This agape is not distant but personal, poured abundantly into the hearts of those called into God's Family through His Spirit. It works from the inside out, transforming individuals into the image of His Son, enabling them to comprehend the vast dimensions of Christ's love and ultimately to be filled with the fullness of God. This transformative love is central to becoming like God, producing His attributes rather than those of human nature. However, practicing agape requires active effort. It is not enough to merely possess God's Spirit; one must put this love into practice through loving both God and neighbor, as these two commandments are inseparably linked. Loving God must come first, but it must not neglect love for neighbor, as demonstrated in the teachings of Jesus Christ. True agape imitates God's impartial love, extending even to enemies, and serves as a gauge of one's love for God. The love shown to brethren directly reflects love for Christ, manifesting in practical acts such as feeding, clothing, visiting, and helping others. These actions, rather than mere words, reveal the depth of one's love for God. Practicing this real godly love for others is essential for spiritual growth and perfection, aligning with the ultimate goal of reflecting the perfect character of the Father and Christ in preparation for entering His Kingdom.

God is the true source of love, and His love is defined as an outgoing concern for mankind, reflecting a willful direction to do what is best for humanity, even when it is not what they desire. This love, characterized by benevolence, kindness, sympathy, and generosity, is evident in His individual dealings with us and in His grand, philanthropic plan to elevate mankind into His Kingdom. Love originates from God, and as we exhibit it, we take on the nature of our Father, growing in His Spirit. Those who reflect this love show they are born of Him, while those who do not, regardless of their knowledge, fail to truly know Him. God's love is demonstrated through the world He has provided, where rain falls on the just and unjust alike, and through His patience toward us. The ultimate proof of His love is the sacrifice of His Son, sent into the world while we were still opposed to Him, to reconcile us to God and offer us a path to live by following His example. We perceive His love in this act, as He laid down His life for us, and we are called to lay down our lives for others in the same manner. By loving one another as God loves us, His love is perfected in us, and we grow in applying it toward others, moving toward perfection. This love is not our own but God's love within us, and we are to love our fellow man as the Father and the Son love. Perfect love casts out fear, and as we grow in it, we can stand boldly before Him, reflecting His nature. We love Him because He first loved us, and this love must be active, shown through obedience to His commandments and in our relationships with others. True love for God produces a desire to live His way, and obedience to His Word trains us to become like Him. If this love exists in our hearts, it will be reflected in our way of living, confirming that we belong to Him.