Topical Bible: Character of Saints: Loving

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The character of saints, as depicted in the Bible, is marked by a profound and abiding love that reflects the nature of God Himself. This love is not merely an emotion but a deliberate choice and action that aligns with the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. The love of saints is multifaceted, encompassing love for God, love for fellow believers, and love for all humanity.

Love for God

The primary commandment for the saints is to love God with all their heart, soul, and mind. This is emphasized in the Shema, a central declaration of faith in Judaism, which Jesus reiterates in the New Testament: "Jesus declared, 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind'" (Matthew 22:37). This love is characterized by obedience, devotion, and a desire to glorify God in all aspects of life.

Love for Fellow Believers

The love among believers is a defining mark of the Christian community. Jesus instructed His disciples, "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 love is sacrificial, selfless, and seeks the well-being of others. The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this in his epistles, urging believers to "be devoted to one another in brotherly love" (Romans 12:10) and to "bear with one another in love" (Ephesians 4:2).

Love for All Humanity

The love of saints extends beyond the community of believers to encompass all people, reflecting the universal love of God. Jesus taught, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). This radical love breaks down barriers and seeks reconciliation and peace. The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) exemplifies this love in action, demonstrating compassion and mercy to those in need, regardless of social or ethnic boundaries.

The Source and Empowerment of Love

The ability of saints to love in such a profound way is rooted in the love of God poured into their hearts through the Holy Spirit. As the Apostle John writes, "We love because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). This divine love empowers believers to transcend natural inclinations and to love as Christ loved. The Holy Spirit cultivates the fruit of love within the believer, as described in Galatians 5:22: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness" .

The Transformative Power of Love

The love of saints is transformative, both for the individual and the community. It is a witness to the world of the reality of God's kingdom and His redemptive work through Christ. Jesus declared, "By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35). This love is a powerful testimony that draws others to the truth of the Gospel and the hope found in Christ.

In summary, the character of saints as loving is a reflection of God's own nature and a fulfillment of His commandments. It is a love that is active, sacrificial, and inclusive, empowered by the Holy Spirit and demonstrated through the lives of those who follow Christ.

Nave's Topical Index

Colossians 1:4
Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have to all the saints,
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1 Thessalonians 4:9
But as touching brotherly love you need not that I write to you: for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
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Library

Saints and Faithful
... The saints are saints because they are first of ... loftiest elevation and attainment
of the Christian character. ... flesh to fulfil the divine loving-kindness and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/saints and faithful.htm

2 Cor. Iv. 1, 2
... and so great things, and this from mercy only and loving-kindness, should ... but they
took and kept it secret; they had the character of saints and approved ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily viii 2 cor iv.htm

Strong and Loving
... in Corinth, which yet he called a Church of saints, and for ... to forget, that the
strongest type of human character is the gentlest and most loving, and that ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/strong and loving.htm

God and his Saints
... relation between us, the purity of character, which is ... so, this singer felt, will
saints follow the ... more distinctly the whisper of His loving, commanding voice ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/god and his saints.htm

Of the Loving of God in Ourselves and Other Creatures...
... love to God by reflection, or the loving of God ... of our charity to the glorified saints
and angels ... universal supreme governor has imprinted the character of His ...
/.../chapter v of the loving.htm

Essential Character of the Work of Jesus.
... being attached to his person and in loving him ... On the whole, the character of Jesus,
far from ... was requisite to transform the philosophers into saints, to write ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter xxviii essential character of.htm

Noah's Justice
... So these histories of the Old-Testament saints are, in fact ... and that, because He
is perfectly loving, He will ... not growing out of their own character, but given ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon x noahs justice.htm

The Character of the Persons for whom this Rest is Designed.
... 6. As an essential part of the character of God's ... of glory." Scripture assures us,
that the saints have the ... they have not seen Christ, yet loving him, and ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter iv the character of.htm

How Saints May Help the Devil
... could find no fault with Job whatever, his character was untainted ... If it be accused
of loving the things of time ... followers of Jesus, who washed his saints' feet ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/how saints may help the.htm

God's Need of Men who Pray
... this from the character of the sin-loving, worldly-minded ... when character and conduct
are at a low ebb, praying ... out of place in the communion of saints, out of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/iv gods need of men.htm