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◄ Love to Man is an Abiding Principle►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Love, as an abiding principle, is a central tenet of Christian doctrine, deeply rooted in the teachings of the Bible. It is not merely an emotion or a transient feeling but a steadfast commitment to the well-being of others, reflecting the nature of God Himself. The Bible consistently emphasizes love as a fundamental aspect of human relationships and a reflection of divine character.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of love as an enduring principle is grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus identifies love as the greatest commandment, stating, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-39). Here, love is presented as the foundation upon which all other commandments rest.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the enduring nature of love in his first letter to the Corinthians. He writes, "Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed" (1 Corinthians 13:8). Paul underscores that love is eternal, outlasting all other spiritual gifts and human achievements.

Expressions of Love

The Bible provides numerous examples of how love should manifest in the lives of believers. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus illustrates love as an active, selfless concern for others, transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries. The Samaritan's compassion for the wounded man exemplifies love in action, demonstrating that true love is sacrificial and inclusive.

The Apostle John, known as the "Apostle of Love," emphasizes the necessity of love among believers. In his first epistle, he writes, "Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God" (1John 4:7). John asserts that love is evidence of a genuine relationship with God, and it is through love that believers reflect God's nature to the world.

Love as a Commandment

The New Testament repeatedly commands believers to love one another. Jesus, during the Last Supper, gave His disciples a new commandment: "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another" (John 13:34). This commandment elevates love to a divine mandate, calling believers to emulate the selfless love of Christ.

Paul echoes this command in his letters, urging the early Christian communities to prioritize love in their interactions. In Romans, he writes, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law" (Romans 13:8). Here, love is portrayed as a perpetual obligation, fulfilling the moral requirements of the law.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The ability to love as God commands is not innate but is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, lists love as the first fruit of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness" (Galatians 5:22). The indwelling of the Holy Spirit enables believers to love genuinely and persistently, reflecting God's love to the world.

Conclusion

Love to man, as an abiding principle, is a divine imperative that permeates the entirety of Scripture. It is a reflection of God's eternal nature and a commandment that believers are called to embody in their daily lives. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians are equipped to love others selflessly, fulfilling the law and bearing witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 13:8,13
Charity never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Scheme of Necessity Denies the Reality of Moral Distinctions.
... them, I will liken him unto a wiseman who built... other places, are we told that true
love is not a... feeling of the heart, but an inwrought andabiding habit of...

Entering into the Infinite
... seeking their own personal happiness they lose the deeper, purer, and moreabiding
bliss. Says Carlyle""There is inman a higher thanlove of happiness...

Outward and Inward Morality
... life ofman is to be elevated from temporal selfishness to the spring of alllove,
to God:man will again be master over nature byabiding in God and...

Letter iii. True Religion a Work of Grace in the Heart; but it...
... settledprinciple of esteem and preference isabiding; and our... especially of that
amazing display of hislove, in the... of God which brought this holyman so low...

A Faithful Undershepherd
... When truth becomes anabiding principle in the life, the soul is...Love the brotherhood...
For this is thankworthy," the apostle explained, "if aman for conscience...

John and the Gospel ofLove.
... into aman, but by anabiding, personal union... Eternal life inman consists in the
knowledge of the... knowledge which implies full sympathy and communion oflove....

1 John iv. 12
... of his dwelling in us, by hisabiding self-revelation... can be the object of perception
toman on earth. Union with God throughlove precedes that perfect vision...

Shewing How aPrinciple of Grace is from the Spirit of God. "
... For the very nature of it islove and union of... has no proper natural tendency to
cause anabiding habit of... And noman has a habit of grace dwelling in him any...

Epistle xxix. The Presbyters and DeaconsAbiding at Rome, to...
... 1. The presbyters and deaconsabiding at Rome, to Father... often become aware of your
mutuallove and charity... But the deceitfulness of that craftyman could not...

The Greatest of These isLove.
... and hope can not be represented asabiding and enduring... and hope into enjoyment,
for what aman seeth why... But even before the throne of God,love remains as...