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◄ Love to Man: Saints should Put On►

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In the Christian faith, love is a fundamental virtue that believers are called to embody and express towards one another. The concept of "putting on" love is deeply rooted in the teachings of the New Testament, where love is not merely an emotion but an active, deliberate choice and commitment to act in the best interest of others.

The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Colossians, exhorts believers to clothe themselves with love as a defining characteristic of their new life in Christ.Colossians 3:14 states, "And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity." Here, love is depicted as the supreme virtue that binds all other virtues together, fostering unity and harmony within the body of Christ.

The call to "put on" love implies an intentional and conscious effort to adopt love as a guiding principle in interactions with others. This is further emphasized inEphesians 4:2 , where Paul urges believers to conduct themselves "with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love." Such love is characterized by selflessness, patience, and a willingness to endure and forgive, reflecting the love that Christ Himself demonstrated.

The Apostle John also underscores the importance of love among believers, presenting it as evidence of genuine faith. In 1John 4:7-8 , he writes, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." This passage highlights that love is not only a command but also a natural outflow of a relationship with God, who is the very essence of love.

Furthermore, love is portrayed as a distinguishing mark of discipleship. Jesus Himself declared inJohn 13:34-35 , "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 that believers are to exhibit is modeled after the sacrificial and unconditional love of Christ, serving as a powerful testimony to the world.

In practical terms, putting on love involves acts of kindness, compassion, and service. It requires believers to prioritize the needs of others, seek reconciliation, and promote peace.Romans 12:10 encourages believers to "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another." This devotion to one another is a reflection of the familial bond that believers share as members of the body of Christ.

Ultimately, the call for saints to put on love is a call to embody the character of Christ, who is the perfect example of love in action. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are enabled to love others genuinely and sacrificially, fulfilling the law of Christ and advancing His kingdom on earth.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Colossians 3:14
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfection.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Colossians i. 9, 10
... 17:10.) "To be partakers of the inheritance of thesaints in light... and so we shall
be thankful; so we shall heighten ourlove toward Him... What sayest thou, Oman?...

Matt. I. 22, 23
... 8. And this I say, not that we may omit supplicating thesaints, but to hinder our
being careless... God, however, being full oflove toman, condescends even...

Matt. xix. 1
... our vileness, then we shall know more perfectly the virtue of thosesaints.... which
God grant we may all attain by the grace andlove towardsman of our...

But they Answer and Speak, Saying, "If the Will ofMan Without any...
... above, that whatever be their pains, theyshould, either for... all things." The greater
then is insaints the charity... If anyman love the world, thelove of the...

Question Lxxxii of Devotion
... But the devotion which we have to theSaints of God... we may thereby be carried away
to thelove of things... But if aman will only perfectly subject to God his...

"The Fruit of the Spirit isLove"
... I have said thatlove must fit us for our work... be an earnest Christian, an earnest
minister, and aman may do... a day pass without praying for allsaints, and for...

The Twentieth Chapter: theLove of Solitude and Silence
... More than this, the security of thesaints was always enveloped... It is better for
aman to be obscure and to... But since youlove, sometimes, to hear news, it is...

Matt. xxii. 1-14.
... Reverence thelove of Him, who called you, and let no... find much more abundant virtue,
and aman delivered from... bosom, about the crowns of thesaints, about the...

What a GoodMan Is, and How He Becomes So
... in the self-sacrificing burst of brotherlylove, which, whether... are black spots in
the histories of allsaints.... in aman's heart without thatman's trusting in...

Psalm LVI.
... see, the devil we see not;man let uslove, of the... trodden me down" (ver.1). Fear
not becauseman hath trodden... one that hath beenput afar off from thesaints....