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◄ Love to Man: Explained►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Love to man, often referred to as "brotherly love" or "charity," is a central theme in Christian theology and ethics. It is rooted in the character of God and is a fundamental expression of the Christian faith. The Bible provides numerous teachings and examples that illustrate the importance and nature of love towards others.

Biblical Foundation

The command to love others is deeply embedded in Scripture. In the Old Testament,Leviticus 19:18 instructs, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." This command is reiterated and expanded upon in the New Testament. Jesus Christ, when asked about the greatest commandment, responded by linking love for God with love for neighbor: "The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:31).

The Example of Christ

Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of love to man. His life and ministry were marked by compassion, healing, and service to others. The Apostle John emphasizes this in 1John 3:16: "By this we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." Christ's sacrificial love is the model for Christian love, calling believers to selflessness and service.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The ability to love others as Christ loved is empowered by the Holy Spirit.Romans 5:5 states, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." The Spirit enables believers to transcend natural inclinations and to love with a divine love that reflects God's own nature.

Practical Expressions of Love

The New Testament provides practical guidance on how love to man should be expressed. In1 Corinthians 13, often referred to as the "Love Chapter," the Apostle Paul describes love as patient, kind, and not envious or boastful. Love is not self-seeking or easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs. This passage serves as a blueprint for Christian conduct.

Furthermore, the Epistle of James emphasizes that love must be active and not merely theoretical.James 2:15-16 challenges believers: "If a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food and one of you says to them, 'Go in peace, stay warm and well fed,' but does not provide for their physical needs, what good is that?" True love is demonstrated through tangible acts of kindness and generosity.

Community and Unity

Love to man is also essential for the unity and health of the Christian community. InJohn 13:34-35, Jesus commands His disciples, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." The love among believers serves as a testimony to the world of the transformative power of the Gospel.

Challenges and Perseverance

While love is a divine command, it is not without challenges. Human relationships are often fraught with difficulties, misunderstandings, and conflicts. The New Testament acknowledges these challenges and encourages perseverance.Colossians 3:13 advises, "Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." This call to forgiveness and forbearance is crucial for maintaining love in the face of adversity.

Conclusion

Love to man, as taught in the Bible, is a reflection of God's love for humanity. It is a command that encompasses all aspects of life and is essential for personal holiness, community harmony, and the witness of the Church. Through the example of Christ, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and the guidance of Scripture, believers are called to embody this love in their daily lives.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity braggs not itself, is not puffed up,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

1 John iv. 7, 8
The First Epistle of John, PracticallyExplained. <.... The naturalman makes
Self the centre and end of all.Love impelsman to go beyond self...

Showing How the InwardMan Should Exercise Himself, that He May be...
... God ever become the creature; as Iexplained to you... And so in such an inwardman,
whom God has... introversion but his enlightened reason and his activelove....

1 John iv. 9-10
The First Epistle of John, PracticallyExplained.... their guilt and made it his own;
his all-devotinglove entered into the whole feeling ofman's guilt and...

1 John iv. 19, 20
The First Epistle of John, PracticallyExplained. <.... "Welove him because he
first loved us. If aman say, Ilove God, and hateth his brother, he...

1 John iv. 12
The First Epistle of John, PracticallyExplained. <.... And hence the more
aman has shut his heart againstlove, the more he is sunk in...

1 John ii. 15
The First Epistle of John, PracticallyExplained.... In this sense he says: "If any
man love the world, thelove of the Father is not in him." It is in this sense...

1 John ii. 11
The First Epistle of John, PracticallyExplained.... its full power and glory can best
unfold; yet this by means excludes the universallove ofman, which from...

TheLove that Constrains
... He said that a deadMan had appeared to him and... easy method of saying, 'Insane.'
And Paulexplained himself by the great word of my text, 'Thelove of Christ...

1 John ii. 5
The First Epistle of John, PracticallyExplained.... John knows indeed of no otherlove
to God. He beholds inman a being estranged from God; over whom impends the...

Love Unknowable and Known
... of knowing thelove of Christ which 'passeth knowledge' is to beexplained by taking...
You and I believe, I hope, that Christ'slove is not aman's love, or at...