Topical Bible: Love to Man: Saints should Provoke Each Other To

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In the Christian faith, love for one another is a fundamental commandment and a reflection of the love that God has for humanity. The Bible emphasizes the importance of believers encouraging and provoking one another to love and good deeds. This concept is rooted in the understanding that love is not merely an emotion but an active commitment to the well-being of others, as demonstrated by Christ Himself.

Biblical Foundation

The call for believers to provoke one another to love is explicitly stated in the New Testament. Hebrews 10:24 instructs, "And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds." This verse highlights the proactive role that Christians are to take in encouraging their fellow believers to live out the love of Christ in practical ways.

The Nature of Christian Love

Christian love, or agape, is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. It is the love that God shows to humanity and that believers are called to emulate. In 1 John 4:7-8 , the apostle John writes, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love." This passage underscores that love is an essential characteristic of those who belong to God.

Encouragement and Accountability

The role of the Christian community is to foster an environment where love can flourish. This involves both encouragement and accountability. Galatians 6:1-2 advises, "Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Here, the apostle Paul emphasizes the importance of supporting one another in love, particularly in times of weakness or failure.

Practical Expressions of Love

The New Testament provides numerous examples of how love can be practically expressed within the Christian community. Acts 2:44-45 describes the early church: "All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they shared with anyone who was in need." This communal sharing is a tangible expression of love and care for one another.

Additionally, Romans 12:10 exhorts believers, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another." This verse calls Christians to a deep commitment to one another, characterized by mutual respect and honor.

The Role of Love in Witness

The love that believers show to one another serves as a powerful witness to the world. Jesus Himself stated in John 13:34-35 , "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." The love among Christians is meant to be a testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel.

Conclusion

The call for saints to provoke one another to love is a vital aspect of Christian discipleship. It involves intentional actions and attitudes that reflect the love of Christ, fostering a community where love is both experienced and expressed. Through encouragement, accountability, and practical acts of service, believers fulfill the command to love one another, thereby glorifying God and bearing witness to the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Corinthians 8:7
Therefore, as you abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that you abound in this grace also.
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2 Corinthians 9:2
For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has provoked very many.
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Hebrews 10:24
And let us consider one another to provoke to love and to good works:
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Library

The Beauty and Excellency of this World Consists, not Only in the ...
... God to become a miserable man for man, that is ... coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, with
all his saints.". ... epidemical disease of the present time, love cooled, and ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/chapter i the beauty and.htm

Hebrews x. 19-23
... Paul, Peter, all the company of the Saints. ... they loved their neighbors, I say no
great matter: they so loved their enemies as no man would love those who ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xix hebrews x 19-23.htm

Letter Lxxxii. To Theophilus Bishop of Alexandria.
... among whom I live are unique in their love of severity ... for the cause of the church,
and that one man's choler, or ... I am submissive to him as to all the saints. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxxxii to theophilus bishop.htm

A Nickname Accepted
... and clothe them with 'the righteousness of saints.' Have you ... with their professed
belief about, and love to, Jesus ... A man is known by the company he keeps, and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/a nickname accepted.htm

Catholic Spirit
... 6. Thou, O man of God, think on these things! ... is set before thee, in the royal way
of universal love. ... in the faith once delivered to the saints, and grounded ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 39 catholic spirit.htm

Neither do they Confess that they are Awed by those Citations from ...
... consider the life and manners of the Saints, their actions ... and that without these
Christ profiteth no man: whereas on ... And while we ought to love Peter for that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on lying/section 7 neither do they.htm

The God of Peace
... strangers and foreigners fellow-heirs with the saints, and joint ... throw around you
the bands of a man, let us ... be broken, let us entreat you to love one another ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the god of peace.htm

Ephesians iv. 32 and v. 1, 2
... Be a lover then of love; for by this art thou saved ... and the like, are the works of
the passionate man, so likewise ... Wouldest thou know the life of the saints? ...
/.../homily xvii ephesians iv 32.htm

Epistle Lxxvi. Cyprian to Nemesianus and Other Martyrs in the ...
... although not in bodily suffering, yet in community of love. ... since Christ is the head
of the man, anything whatever ... Lord is the death of His saints." [3013] Who ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle lxxvi cyprian to nemesianus.htm

Intercession Every Christian's Duty
... so much to consist in the communion of saints in the ... rather think this, not to have
any man's person too ... but esteem all your ministers highly in love, as they ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/intercession every christians duty.htm