Topical Bible: Love to Man: Commanded by God

◄ Love to Man: Commanded by God ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of love towards fellow human beings is a central tenet in the Christian faith, 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. It is not merely an emotion but a deliberate choice and action, commanded by God as an essential aspect of a believer's life.

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 establishes the principle of love as a fundamental aspect of the covenant relationship between God and His people.

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ reaffirms and expands upon this command. In Matthew 22:37-39 , Jesus responds to a question about the greatest commandment: "Jesus declared, '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, Jesus places love for others on par with love for God, indicating its critical importance in the life of a believer.

The Example of Christ

Jesus Christ serves as the ultimate example of love to man. His life and ministry were marked by acts of compassion, healing, and service to others, regardless of their social status or background. In John 13:34-35 , Jesus commands 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." This directive emphasizes that the love Christians show to one another is a testament to their faith and a reflection of Christ's love.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The ability to love others as commanded by God is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Romans 5:5 states, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." The indwelling of the Holy Spirit enables believers to transcend natural inclinations and exhibit divine love, even towards those who may be difficult to love.

Practical Expressions of Love

The Bible provides numerous examples and exhortations on how love should be practically expressed. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 , often referred to as the "Love Chapter," the Apostle Paul describes the attributes of love: "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 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

Additionally, the Epistle of James emphasizes the importance of love in action, stating in James 2:15-17 , "Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him, 'Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,' but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that? So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead."

The Universal Scope of Love

The command to love extends beyond the community of believers to encompass all humanity. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus illustrates that love knows no boundaries of race, religion, or social status. The Samaritan's compassion towards a wounded stranger exemplifies the universal nature of the love God commands.

Furthermore, in Matthew 5:43-44 , Jesus challenges His followers to love even their enemies: "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This radical call to love underscores the transformative power of divine love in overcoming hatred and division.

Conclusion

The command to love others is a divine mandate that permeates the entirety of Scripture. It is a reflection of God's own nature and an essential characteristic of a life devoted to Him. Through the example of Christ, the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, and the practical application of love in daily life, believers are called to embody this command, demonstrating the love of God to a world in need.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 John 4:21
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loves God love his brother also.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether it is Fittingly Commanded that Man Should Love God with ...
... OF THE PRECEPTS OF CHARITY (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether it is fittingly commanded
that man should love God with his whole heart? Objection ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is fittingly commanded.htm

The Second Chapter: God's Great Goodness and Love is Shown to Man ...
... Behold, whence love proceeds! ... spoke and all things were made, and this, which You
commanded, was done ... that You, O Lord, my God, true God and man, are contained ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the second chapter gods great.htm

Of the First Covenant Made with Man
... hath conjoined in most parts of commanded duties our ... lawgiver, it will appear whether
man's obedience be ... simple obedience, and whether men love obedience for ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xxi of the first.htm

Of the Conformity of Our Will to that Will of God's which is ...
... dying in a state of damnation, than from love of living ... abhor things commanded simply
because they are commanded: and there was a certain man, 'tis said ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter v of the conformity.htm

Of the Love of Solitude and Silence
... FOR THE SPIRITUAL LIFE CHAPTER XX Of the love of solitude ... It is praiseworthy for
a religious man to go seldom ... mind thou the things which God hath commanded thee ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter xx of the love.htm

The Twentieth Chapter: the Love of Solitude and Silence
... It is better for a man to be obscure and to ... Set yourself to the things which God
has commanded you to do ... But since you love, sometimes, to hear news, it is only ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the twentieth chapter the love.htm

"That those Grievously Sin who Despise or Neglect God's Gracious ...
... that have been unbelieving, and err in heart, and have not known the Lord's ways,
which John commanded to make ... But the Lord, in His love to man, invites all ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter ix that those grievously sin.htm

God Alone to be Enjoyed.
... For we are commanded to love one another: but it is a question whether man is to
be loved by man for his own sake, or for the sake of something else. ...
/.../augustine/on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 22 god alone to be.htm

How a Desolate Man Ought to Commit Himself into the Hands of God
... willed it; and that is done which Thou Thyself hast commanded. ... world also are deceived
in that they love only visible ... What is a man better because by man he is ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter l how a desolate.htm

That Divine Love More Excellently Sanctifies the virtues when they ...
... orders the actions of other virtues, which are therefore, termed acts commanded
or ordained ... for it is as though he had said, that without love a man is not ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter iv that divine love.htm