Topical Bible: Love to Man: An Evidence of Discipleship With Christ

◄ Love to Man: An Evidence of Discipleship With Christ ►

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In the Christian faith, love for one's fellow man is not merely an ethical guideline but a profound evidence of true discipleship with Christ. This principle is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the apostolic writings, serving as a hallmark of genuine Christian living.

Biblical Foundation

The command to love others is central to the teachings of Jesus. In the Gospel of John, Jesus explicitly states, "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" (John 13:34-35). This passage underscores that love is not only a command but also a distinguishing mark of those who follow Christ.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this theme in his epistles. In Romans 13:8, he writes, "Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law" . Here, love is presented as the fulfillment of the law, indicating its foundational role in Christian ethics and community life.

The Nature of Christian Love

Christian love, or agape, is characterized by selflessness, sacrifice, and a commitment to the well-being of others. It mirrors the love that Christ demonstrated through His life and sacrificial death. In 1 John 3:16, the apostle John writes, "By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers" . This verse highlights the sacrificial nature of true Christian love, calling believers to emulate Christ's example.

Practical Expressions of Love

The New Testament provides numerous examples of how love for others should manifest in the life of a believer. Acts of kindness, hospitality, and service are all expressions of this love. In Galatians 5:13, Paul exhorts, "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" . This service is not merely a duty but a joyful expression of the freedom found in Christ.

Moreover, love is to be extended even to one's enemies, as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount: "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). This radical love breaks down barriers and reflects the transformative power of the Gospel.

Love as a Witness to the World

The love that Christians show to one another and to the world serves as a powerful testimony to the truth of the Gospel. In a world often marked by division and strife, the unity and love among believers stand out as a beacon of hope and a testament to the reality of Christ's presence. As Jesus prayed for His followers, "I have given them the glory You gave Me, so that they may be one as We are one—I in them and You in Me—that they may be perfectly united, so that the world may know that You sent Me and have loved them just as You have loved Me" (John 17:22-23).

Conclusion

The call to love others is an integral aspect of Christian discipleship, deeply embedded in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. It is through this love that believers demonstrate their allegiance to Christ and bear witness to His transformative power in their lives.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 13:35
By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Test of Discipleship
... There is no evidence of genuine repentance unless it works ... Thus the Scripture says,
"This is the love of God ... 5:3; 2:4. Instead of releasing man from obedience ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/steps to christ/chapter 7 the test of.htm

Those for whom Christ Prayed --"Sanctify Them. "
... A very good evidence of the genuineness of the conversion of ... as never man spake";
low-minded the man who did ... Who now will prove his love for Him by obeying His ...
/.../rees/the heart-cry of jesus/chapter iii those for whom.htm

The Solidarity of the Human Family
... What evidence does college life furnish us of the ... our acquaintance a rare capacity
for love, for social ... The man who intelligently realizes the Chinese and the ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter ii the solidarity of.htm

The Last Discourses of Christ - the Prayer of Consecration.
... to what Heathenism exhibited, affording such striking evidence of the ... fundamental
thoughts of the Kingdom: the love of the ... in sending His Son for man, the work ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the last discourses.htm

Jesus and his Secret Friends.
... There is no evidence that he has yet declared himself a ... Then came another rich man
and joined Joseph ... No doubt there always are many who love Christ, believe on ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter xii jesus and his.htm

Attributes of Love.
... unforbearing spirit is always demonstrative evidence of a ... The benevolent man will,
therefore, and must, honestly ... an attribute of the divine love, is manifested ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xv attributes of love.htm

Believing on Jesus, and Its Counterfeits
... says is truth to us, on the sole evidence that he ... Believe what Jesus says in his
New Testament of love. ... Another man loves his Lord, and treasures his words; he ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/believing on jesus and its.htm

Jesus and the Beloved Disciple.
... He seems such a man of love that we cannot think of ... But there is evidence that by
nature he was full of ... an earthly throne; it was a nearness of love, and the ...
/.../miller/personal friendships of jesus/chapter vi jesus and the.htm

Farewell Discourse to Disciples.
... [From the outward evidence of union ... 12 This is my commandment, that ye love one another,
even as I have loved you.13 Greater love hath no man than this ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/cxxi farewell discourse to disciples.htm

The Healing of the Woman - Christ's Personal Appearance - the ...
... we realise the Mystery of the Incarnation, His love towards, and ... as well as the strait
charge' that no man should know it, are further evidence, if such ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xxvi the healing of.htm