In the New Testament there are two primary Greek words that are translated “love.” The first is “philadelphia,” which we have talked about for the past three weeks. It refers to that relational kind of love that exists between members of a family when healthy family relationships exist. It is the love of a brother for his brother, and is sometimes translated “brotherly love,” sometimes “brotherly kindness,” and sometimes simply “love.” This Greek word was used by Paul when he wrote, “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love” (Romans 12:10a, NASB). This kind of “love” determines the level of devotion a believer will have for other Christians. When applied to followers of Jesus it describes that special kind of relational love that should exist between all Christians. That’s what Peter was referring to when he wrote, “For this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love” (II Peter 1:5-7, NKJV). This kind of “love” must be learned. It doesn’t just happen! The second Greek word translated “love” in the New Testament is “agape,” which refers to “divine love.” It is this “divine love” that motivated God to pursue the human race with the gift of eternal life. This is the word Peter used when he wrote, “For this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love” (II Peter 1:5-7, NKJV). The order of the levels of spiritual development Peter used indicates that believers can’t consistently express “divine love” until they first master “brotherly love.” This kind of “love”—“agape,” divine love—cannot be learned. It is the result of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer. It is one of the fruit of the Spirit. Paul wrote, “The fruit of the Spirit is love [agape], joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23a, NIV). This kind of “love” isn’t learned. It is poured into the hearts of believers by the Holy Spirit as we develop spiritually. Paul wrote, “The love [agape] of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5b, NKJV). Obviously, this kind of “love” is the result of the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer!