The Power of Love: The Greatest of All
As we continue our series on the Twelve Powers from the teachings of Charles Fillmore, we arrive at April, the month in which we explore the power of love. In Unity teachings, love is understood as an innate spiritual power—one that aligns us with divine truth, fosters deeper connections, and manifests as an active force for healing and unity in our lives. Rather than being limited to romantic relationships, love is a guiding force that transforms our consciousness and brings forth divine expression in the world.
Love and the Twelve Human Powers
Charles Fillmore, co-founder of the Unity movement, conceptualized twelve universal spiritual powers present in every individual. Each power is associated with an energy center in the body, similar to the chakra system in Sanatana Dharma, and linked to a disciple of Jesus Christ. Over time, colors were assigned to each power, and Rev. Dr. Leddy Hammock identified women from the Hebrew and Christian scriptures to illustrate the feminine characteristics of these faculties.
As we revisit ancient wisdom on gender and identity, it is important to acknowledge that these powers transcend male or female classifications. They exist within the spectrum of human experiences. Fillmore himself noted:
“Every male has within him the female and every female has within her the male. This fact is admitted by physiology, substantiating the Genesis record of the ideal creation of man as ‘male and female,’ and his expression in Adam and Eve as the male and female in one man.”
This understanding encourages us to see spiritual power as something beyond rigid human-defined roles. Love is not just something we give or receive in limited ways—it is an expression of divine truth within us, capable of transcending divisions and limitations.
The Disciple of Love
In Unity’s Metaphysical Bible Dictionary, the apostle John represents the spiritual faculty of love. He is often called “the disciple whom Jesus loved,” emphasizing love as the core of his story. John’s metaphysical significance extends beyond personal emotions to universal, divine love—a love that transcends attachment and unifies all things in Spirit. His role in Jesus’ ministry highlights love’s power to transform human consciousness, moving beyond judgment and into unity, grace, and enlightenment.
Love is not passive or sentimental; it is an active, dynamic force that fosters spiritual awakening. John exemplifies love as the guiding energy of divine understanding, helping humanity evolve beyond intellectual reasoning into higher spiritual awareness. In this sense, divine love is not simply an abstract concept but an ever-present reality that can be cultivated and expressed through intentional spiritual practice.
Mary of Nazareth: The Feminine Aspect of Love
In Twelve Women of the Chalice, Leddy Hammock identifies Mary of Nazareth as the feminine archetype of love. Mary embodies unconditional, radical trust in divine invitation—a love that transcends personal desire and aligns with spiritual surrender. Hammock describes Mary’s acceptance of the angel Gabriel’s message as an act of “unconditional loving consent to divine invitation.”
Unlike Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba—who navigated patriarchal systems to continue their lineage—Mary’s conception of Jesus was an act of pure trust in divine love. Her role is not one of coercion or submission but of active, loving participation in divine will. She becomes the vessel through which divine love is physically manifested.
Mary’s spiritual significance also connects to ancient wisdom traditions. In “the religion of the Great Mother,” she aligns with the sacred feminine—representing creation, intuition, and divine wisdom that predates Christianity. She mirrors the subjective activities of love: receptivity, nurturing, and the birth of new spiritual expressions in the world. This perspective helps us recognize that love is a creative power, not just an emotional response. Love is the force that brings new realities into being.
Love in Action: The Ethiopian Eunuch
Another powerful biblical example of divine love is found in Acts 8:26-40. The Ethiopian eunuch serves as an archetype of love that transcends human-made barriers. Eunuchs in biblical times existed outside the gender binary and were excluded from full participation in religious life. Jesus himself acknowledged the existence of eunuchs in Matthew 19:11-12, saying:
“Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given. For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.”
This recognition highlights the diversity of human experiences and affirms that those who do not fit traditional categories are still valued in the kingdom of God.
Deuteronomy 23:1 explicitly barred eunuchs from the assembly of the Lord, but Isaiah 56:3-5 prophesied a radical shift, promising eunuchs who remained faithful a name “better than sons and daughters.”
The Ethiopian eunuch embodies this prophecy’s fulfillment. In Acts 8, he is reading Isaiah but struggles with understanding. Guided by Spirit, Philip explains the passage about the suffering servant, revealing Christ’s sacrificial love. The eunuch’s response is immediate:
“Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptized?” (Acts 8:36).
Without requiring him to change his identity or status, he is baptized—fully accepted into the divine family. His story illustrates love’s radical inclusivity and aligns with the New Testament’s themes of grace, mercy, and belonging.
The eunuch’s journey reflects love’s transformational power in three key ways:
- Transcending social and religious exclusion.
- Embracing those deemed unworthy by human standards.
- Celebrating understanding and connection.
Like Mary, who expressed love through trust in divine will, the eunuch’s story expresses love through radical inclusion, affirming that God’s love belongs to all.
Aligning with the Power of Love
As with all spiritual powers, love can be expressed in a healthy, balanced way or become distorted by the ego. When governed by spiritual awareness, love fosters connection, compassion, and wisdom. However, an underdeveloped expression of love can lead to emotional detachment or an inability to feel empathy. Conversely, overdeveloped love may manifest as neediness, codependency, or uncontrolled passion, leading to unhealthy attachments and a constant search for external validation.
When we center ourselves in divine love, we cultivate a deep sense of worthiness and wholeness that is not dependent on external approval. Love becomes not just something we seek but something we radiate.
The Energy Center of Love
In Unity teachings, love is associated with the back of the heart as its energy center. Recent research affirms the heart’s unique intelligence, revealing that it communicates with the brain more than the brain communicates with it. Studies from the HeartMath Institute show that heart-generated signals significantly influence emotions, cognitive function, and overall well-being.
The heart’s rhythm patterns shape emotional states, affecting stress levels and clarity of thought. Achieving “heart coherence”—a state of harmony between the heart, brain, and nervous system—enhances emotional stability, cognitive function, and overall health. This coherence is cultivated through practices that generate positive emotions like appreciation, love, and joy.
The Color of Love
Pink is often associated with the power of love. Some individuals find it beneficial to visualize pink light during meditation and prayer to expand their capacity for divine love.
Love Within & Around
Love, as a spiritual faculty, transcends human emotion and becomes a guiding force for unity, grace, and enlightenment. Through the examples of John, Mary of Nazareth, and the Ethiopian eunuch, we see love expressed in transformation, trust, and radical inclusion. As we align with divine love, we foster compassion, deepen our spiritual awareness, and create a world rooted in divine harmony.
At Folx with Faith, we believe that love is a unifying force that brings people together in healing and growth. Our mission is to create inclusive spiritual spaces where LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies can explore their faith, find belonging, and experience divine love in its fullness. Whether through community gatherings, educational resources, or meaningful discussions, we affirm that love is the foundation of spiritual transformation.
Join us in this journey! At Folx with Faith, we celebrate love as an expression of divine love, uniting and empowering our community. Explore our events, sign up for our newsletter, and connect with a welcoming spiritual community. Visit Folx with Faith to learn more and be part of this movement of love.
About Folx with Faith
At Folx with Faith, we recognize that wisdom and discernment are essential tools in navigating our spiritual paths. Judgment, when guided by divine wisdom, allows us to make choices rooted in love, justice, and truth. As a community, we are committed to creating spaces where individuals can explore their spiritual power, deepen their faith, and cultivate inner discernment. By engaging in collective reflection, honoring diverse perspectives, and supporting one another, we strengthen our ability to make spiritually aligned decisions that uplift both ourselves and our communities.
Join us as we continue to explore the Twelve Powers, affirming our divine nature and walking forward with clarity and purpose.
How You Can Support Our Mission?
You can help us fulfill our mission by donating to Folx with Faith or starting a local group. It is our mission to create safe spaces to explore and experience spiritual wholeness. Folx with Faith supports the queer community, fostering a celebration of our authentic beings and empowering us to make a difference in the world. If you would like to contribute to this mission or would like to start a local chapter, please let us know. You can contact us or use the links below.
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References & Additional Resources for The Strength of Your Spirit
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James Masters (they/them) is a member of Unity Church of Overland Park, where they actively teach classes and participate in community events. They are in the final stages of becoming a Licensed Unity Teacher (LUT) and have been deeply engaged in spiritual study since 1999, joining the New Thought movement in 2005.
James is a contributing author for the bestselling anthologies The Courageous Heart, Enduring Wisdom, and The Grateful Soul. They are a personal coach specializing in spiritual and relational development, guiding others toward deeper self-awareness and empowerment.
Beyond their work in spiritual education, James has a strong commitment to social justice and community service. They helped establish an all-genders shelter and regularly volunteer to support those experiencing housing and food insecurity. Their knowledge of technology and unwavering compassion for others make them a valuable force for positive change in their community.
