Which other scriptures emphasize love's role in spiritual maturity? Core verse: Love perfected for confidence “In this way, love has been perfected among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; for in this world we are just like Him.” (1 John 4:17) Love as the foundation of spiritual growth • Matthew 22:37-40 — “All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” • John 13:34-35 — Love is the badge of true discipleship. • 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 — Gifts and knowledge are empty without love. Love fuels Christ-like character • Ephesians 4:15-16 — “Speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Christ.” • Ephesians 5:1-2 — “Walk in love, just as Christ loved us.” • Colossians 3:14 — “Over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.” • 2 Peter 1:5-8 — The ladder of virtues ends with “brotherly affection” and “love,” keeping believers from being “ineffective or unproductive.” Love proves authentic faith • Galatians 5:6 — “All that matters is faith expressed through love.” • 1 John 3:14 — Love for believers is evidence we have passed from death to life. • 1 John 4:12 — Loving one another perfects God’s love in us. Love produced by the Spirit • Galatians 5:22-23 — The first fruit of the Spirit is love. • Romans 5:5 — “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit.” Love strengthens holiness and endurance • 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 — Overflowing love “establishes your hearts as blameless in holiness.” • Hebrews 10:24 — Stir one another “to love and good deeds.” • Jude 20-21 — “Keep yourselves in the love of God” as you build yourselves up. Love summarized as fulfilled law • Romans 13:8-10 — Love “is the fulfillment of the Law.” Love covering faults and sustaining community • 1 Peter 4:8 — “Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” Picture of maturity when love is central • Confidence before God now and on judgment day (1 John 4:17) • Unity and mutual edification within the body (Colossians 3:14; Ephesians 4:16) • Fruitful, effective lives (2 Peter 1:8; Galatians 5:22-23) • Holiness that flows from the heart (1 Thessalonians 3:13; Romans 13:10) Daily steps to deepen love • Meditate on Christ’s sacrificial love (John 15:13). • Yield to the Spirit’s prompting, letting Him reproduce love’s fruit. • Actively serve and forgive, allowing love to “cover” offenses (1 Peter 4:8). • Practice truth spoken in love, guarding both doctrine and relationships (Ephesians 4:15). |
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