Session 6: Stage #3: Loving Jesus With Our Whole Person

Session 6: Stage #3: Loving Jesus With Our Whole Person
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The foundational premise in this teaching series is that God loves us with the same intensity that God loves God (Jn. 15:9; 17:23). This quality of love is foundational to life in God’s kingdom. Jesus called us to abide in love-to continually live in and stay focused on it.
9“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.” (Jn. 15:9)
The love burning in God’s heart has at least 5 expressions that are deeply interrelated. Each of these expressions represent the 5 stages of how a believer can grow in love. We seek to understand and walk in all 5 stages simultaneously since they are revealed and imparted to us by the Spirit.
1. God’s love for God: Each person in the Trinity intensely loves the others with all their heart.
2. God’s love for His people: He loves His people with all of His heart, mind, and strength.
3. Our love for God: God’s very own love is imparted to His people by the Spirit (Rom. 5:5).
4. Our love for ourselves: We love ourselves in God’s love and for God’s sake.
5. Our love for others: We love others in the overflow of experiencing God’s love (1 Jn. 4:19).