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◄ Love to Man: Saints should Abound In►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of love, particularly love towards fellow human beings, is a central tenet of Christian doctrine and practice. The Bible emphasizes that saints, or believers, are called to abound in love towards others, reflecting the love of Christ in their interactions and relationships.

Biblical Foundation

The call for believers to abound in love is rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. In the Gospel of John, Jesus commands His disciples, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you" (John 15:12). This directive establishes the standard of love that believers are to emulate—selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this in his epistles. In1 Thessalonians 3:12, Paul prays, "And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows" . Here, Paul emphasizes the need for love to be abundant and overflowing, not limited or restrained.

Characteristics of Abounding Love

1.Selflessness: Abounding love is characterized by putting others' needs above one's own.Philippians 2:3-4 instructs believers, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" .

2.Forgiveness: Love that abounds is forgiving, as seen inColossians 3:13, "Bear with each other and forgive any complaint you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" . This reflects the grace and mercy that believers have received from God.

3.Unity: Abounding love fosters unity within the body of Christ.Ephesians 4:2-3 urges believers to "walk with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" .

4.Action-Oriented: Love is not merely a feeling but is demonstrated through actions. 1John 3:18 exhorts, "Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth" . This underscores the importance of tangible expressions of love.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The ability to abound in love is not solely a human endeavor but 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 love beyond their natural capacity, reflecting the divine love of God.

The Witness of Love

Abounding in love serves as a powerful witness to the world. Jesus declared, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35). The love that believers show to one another and to the world is a testament to their faith and the transformative power of the Gospel.

In summary, the call for saints to abound in love is a fundamental aspect of Christian living, deeply rooted in Scripture and empowered by the Holy Spirit. It is a love that is selfless, forgiving, unifying, and active, serving as a testament to the world of the believer's faith and the love of Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Philippians 1:9
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Thessalonians 3:12
And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Excellence of this virtue.
... hast refused the victims offered thee byman; thou dost... that the world may know that
Ilove the Father... this was the goal upon which thesaints constantly fixed...

God'sLove to FallenMan
... together with our faith, andlove of God... It is the just observation of a benevolent
man, ".... such as ministering to the necessities ofsaints; yea, relieving...

Wesley -- God'sLove to FallenMan
... suffering, together with our faith andlove of God... It is the just observation of
a benevolentman,.... ministering to the necessities of thesaints, yea, relieving...

Twenty-Fifth Day. Holy and Blameless.
... There have been suchsaints, holy but hard, holy but distant, holy but sharp in... is
love.' 'The end of the commandment islove.' Tolove God andman is to...

An Exhortation toLove God
... (2). By the growth oflove we imitate thesaints in the... rot lawful for aman to utter"
(2 Corinthians 12:4). Never was anyman a loser by hislove to God...

On Account Then of These Either Occupations of the Servants of God...
... and to prove the exceeding dearness of yourlove.... us, ordained by the Churches, a
man of God... reprehensions, lest, without witness ofsaints associated with him...

The Beauty and Excellency of this World Consists, not Only in the...
... But God to become a miserableman forman, that is... make you to increase andabound
inlove one towards... coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all hissaints."....

The Pastor's Parting Blessing
... might see a church made up wholly ofsaints who live... Lord Jesus Christ with you,
you willlove each other... No one will seek his own, but everyman his brother's...

Written from Rome
... be partakers of the inheritance of thesaints in light... Beware lest anyman spoil
you through philosophy and vain... iniquity"should "abound," and "thelove of many...

We Shall not be Curious in the Ranking of the Duties in which...
... much more ought a Christian, a redeemedman, be the... our brethren, under a base pretended
notion oflove.... grant theyshould be tender of offending thesaints....