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◄ Love to Man is Good and Pleasant►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of love towards fellow human beings is a central theme in the Bible, underscoring the moral and spiritual obligations of individuals within a community. This love, often referred to as "brotherly love" or "charity," is depicted as both good and pleasant, serving as a reflection of God's love for humanity and a commandment for His followers.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently emphasizes the importance of love among people. In the Old Testament, the commandment to love one's neighbor is foundational.Leviticus 19:18 states, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." This directive establishes love as a divine command, integral to the covenant relationship between God and His people.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ reiterates and expands upon this commandment. InMatthew 22:37-39 , Jesus declares, "'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.'" Here, love for others is elevated to a position of utmost importance, second only to the love of God.

Characteristics of Love

The Apostle Paul provides a detailed description of love in1 Corinthians 13:4-7 , where he writes, "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." These verses highlight the selfless and enduring nature of true love, which seeks the well-being of others above personal gain.

The Goodness and Pleasantness of Love

The goodness of love is evident in its ability to foster harmony and unity among individuals.Psalm 133:1 proclaims, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in harmony!" This verse captures the essence of love as a force that brings about peace and mutual respect within a community. Love is portrayed as a source of joy and contentment, enhancing the quality of relationships and promoting a sense of belonging.

Furthermore, love is seen as a reflection of God's character and an essential aspect of Christian witness. InJohn 13:34-35 , Jesus instructs 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 everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." The love that believers show to one another serves as a testament to their faith and a demonstration of the transformative power of the Gospel.

Practical Implications

The call to love others is not merely theoretical but demands practical application. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus illustrates that love transcends social and ethnic boundaries, compelling individuals to act with compassion and mercy towards those in need. The Apostle John further emphasizes this in 1John 3:18 , "Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth."

The practice of love involves acts of kindness, forgiveness, and service, reflecting the sacrificial love of Christ. It requires believers to prioritize the needs of others, to bear with one another in patience, and to seek reconciliation and peace.

Conclusion

The biblical mandate to love others is a profound and enduring principle that shapes the moral and spiritual life of believers. It is both a divine command and a reflection of God's own love, calling individuals to live in harmony and to demonstrate the love of Christ through their actions.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 133:1,2
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity!
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of theLove of Solitude and Silence
... FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE CHAPTER XX Of thelove of solitude... O howgood a conscience
should thatman keep, who... 5. Noman is worthy of heavenly consolation but he...

Showing How Some Men Live Contrary to These Exercises
... For thegood man always seeks and means and desires... opposes and conquers true charity
theman falls into... he loved himself inordinately with naturallove, and so...

Of the Feast of the Holy virgin St Agnes
... between persons of different sex, between aman and a... They fall inlove with each
other, and seek... cannot be tolerated by anyone with agood conscience; for...

Provoking Each Other toLove andGood Works.
... If these two things,love andgood works, dwell richly... relationships, but everything
praiseworthy and ofgood report before God andman would blossom...

Man's True Treasure in God
... say, nobody else can sell it, but whatgood is it... Does theman who collects the rents
of a mountain-side... understand them, and sympathise with them, andlove them...

Of the Lack of all Comfort
... Thus by thelove of the Creator he overcame thelove ofman, and instead
of human comfort he chose rather God'sgood pleasure....

On the Feast of St Michael and all Angels
... for us the divine virtues of faith, hope andlove....Man ought to be very diligent
in keeping guard against... secret dexterity in things which seemgood; and, for...

On the Fall ofMan
... When the woman saw that the tree wasgood for food... is no absurdity in the assertion
of a greatman, "That Adam... He painfully feared that God, in thelove of whom...

Of theLove of God
... Therefore Ogood Jesu have mercy upon a wretch.... How else should God be
all in ilk thing, if there be anylove ofman in aman?...

What the Scriptures Principally Teach: the Ruin and Recovery of...
... that is not one with a soul, it cannot endure long, it is notgood company to... But
love, making a dutypleasant, becomes one with the soul.... If aman love me, he...