Topical Bible: Love to Man: All Things should be Done With

◄ Love to Man: All Things should be Done With ►

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The concept of love towards fellow human beings is a central tenet in Christian theology and ethics, deeply rooted in the teachings of the Bible. This love, often referred to as "agape" love, is characterized by selflessness, compassion, and a commitment to the well-being of others. The Bible emphasizes that all actions and interactions among individuals should be motivated and guided by this love.

Biblical Foundation

The command to love others is explicitly stated in both the Old and New Testaments. In the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:18 instructs, "Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against any of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD." This command is foundational and is reiterated by Jesus Christ in the New Testament as one of the greatest commandments. In Matthew 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.'"

The Example of Christ

Jesus Christ exemplifies perfect love for humanity. His life and ministry were marked by acts of compassion, healing, and teaching, all driven by love. The ultimate demonstration of His love is found in His sacrificial death on the cross. As stated in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." Christ's love serves as the model for how believers are to love one another.

The Apostle Paul's Teachings

The Apostle Paul extensively discusses the importance of love in his epistles. In 1 Corinthians 16:14, Paul exhorts, "Let all that you do be done in love." This directive underscores the necessity of love as the guiding principle in all actions. Furthermore, in 1 Corinthians 13, often referred to as the "Love Chapter," Paul describes the attributes of love, stating in verse 4-7, "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."

Practical Application

The call to love others is not merely theoretical but demands practical application in daily life. Believers are encouraged to demonstrate love through acts of kindness, forgiveness, and service. In Galatians 5:13-14, Paul writes, "For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Love as a Witness

The love that believers show to one another and to the world serves as a powerful witness to the transformative power of the Gospel. In John 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 all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." This love is a testament to the presence of Christ in the lives of believers and is instrumental in drawing others to the faith.

Conclusion

The biblical mandate to do all things with love is a profound and challenging call to live out the Gospel in every aspect of life. It requires a heart transformed by the love of Christ and a commitment to reflect that love in all interactions with others.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 16:14
Let all your things be done with charity.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Love's Labours
... I believe that with all their faults they are the ... mistaken motive; she believes that
the good man must have ... Love, as far as she can, believes in her fellows. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 27 1881/loves labours.htm

Revelations of Divine Love
... CHAPTER XLIV "God is endless, sovereign Truth,--Wisdom,--Love, not-made; and man's
Soul is a ... CHAPTER XLV "All heavenly things and all earthly things that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/julian/revelations of divine love/

Concerning Things done in Illumination.
... For it is necessary that a man should not only depart from every ... he, at any time,
become remiss in his sacred love of the truth, but with all his power ...
/.../dionysius/ecclesiastical hierarchy/caput ii i concerning things.htm

Latimer -- on Christian Love
... 13th to the Romans, "Owe nothing to any man, but to ... Paul lappeth up all things together,
signifying unto us that love ... is contained in this law of love: for he ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/latimer on christian love.htm

Concerning Things Performed Over those Fallen Asleep.
... neither hath entered into the heart of man to conceive ... which God hath prepared for
them that love Him." "Bosoms ... of the blessed Patriarchs, and of all the other ...
/.../dionysius/ecclesiastical hierarchy/caput vii i concerning things.htm

The Imitation of Christ
... All Things and in All Things to Those Who Love Him. ... The Fortieth Chapter: Man Has
No Good in Himself and ... The Forty-First Chapter: Contempt for All Earthly Honor. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/the imitation of christ/

The Testament of Reuben Concerning Thoughts.
... of begetting and sexual intercourse, with which through love of pleasure ... which leadeth
the young as a blind man to a ... 3. Besides all these, there is an eighth (8 ...
/.../i the testament of reuben concerning.htm

The Angel's Greeting
... That man is unaware of it, is man's fault, for his ... If we had love to God, we should
relish God, and all His works; we should receive all things from God ...
/.../eckhart/meister eckharts sermons/iii the angels greeting.htm

Why all Things Work for Good
... Lamentations 3:15), we may be ready to call in question the love of God ... "Do all to
the ... How then ought man to glorify Him, for whom God has done more than for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/why all things work for.htm

An Exhortation to Love God
... 2 Corinthians 12:4). Never was any man a loser ... If our love to God does not increase,
it ... Therefore Christians should above all things endeavour to cherish and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/an exhortation to love god.htm