Topical Bible: Love to Man: should be With a Pure Heart

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Definition and Importance

Love to man, or brotherly love, is a fundamental tenet of Christian ethics and theology. It is the expression of genuine care, compassion, and selflessness towards others, reflecting the love that God has for humanity. This love is not merely an emotional feeling but a deliberate choice to act in the best interest of others, regardless of personal cost or benefit. The Bible emphasizes that such love must be with a pure heart, free from ulterior motives or hypocrisy.

Biblical Foundation

The call to love others with a pure heart is deeply rooted in Scripture. In 1 Peter 1:22 , believers are exhorted: "Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth so that you have a sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from a pure heart." This verse highlights the connection between obedience to God's truth and the capacity to love sincerely and purely.

Characteristics of Pure-Hearted Love

1. Sincerity: Pure-hearted love is genuine and without pretense. Romans 12:9 instructs, "Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good." This sincerity is marked by an authentic desire for the well-being of others, devoid of deceit or self-serving intentions.

2. Selflessness: Philippians 2:3-4 encourages believers, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." Pure-hearted love prioritizes the needs and interests of others above one's own.

3. Forgiveness: A pure heart is willing to forgive, as demonstrated in Ephesians 4:32 : "Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." Forgiveness is a crucial aspect of love that maintains unity and peace within the community.

4. Sacrifice: The ultimate example of love with a pure heart is found in Jesus Christ, who laid down His life for humanity. John 15:13 states, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." This sacrificial love is the model for believers to emulate.

Practical Application

To love with a pure heart, Christians are called to examine their motives and actions continually. This involves seeking God's guidance through prayer and Scripture, allowing the Holy Spirit to purify their hearts and intentions. Engaging in acts of kindness, serving others, and fostering community are practical ways to demonstrate this love.

Challenges and Encouragement

Loving others with a pure heart can be challenging, especially in a world that often values self-interest and personal gain. However, believers are encouraged by the promise of God's support and the transformative power of His love. Galatians 6:9 offers encouragement: "Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

In summary, love to man with a pure heart is a divine command that reflects the character of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is a love that is sincere, selfless, forgiving, and sacrificial, calling believers to live out their faith in tangible and meaningful ways.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 1:22
Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit to unfeigned love of the brothers, see that you love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Of the Pure Delight of the Heart and the Sensible Powers
... OF THE PURE DELIGHT OF THE HEART AND THE SENSIBLE ... to be inwardly enfolded in the
divine embrace of love. ... of the earth, even though one man should enjoy them ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xviii of the pure.htm

"Now the End of the Commandment is Charity Out of a Pure Heart ...
... by faith, the end of it, because this faith persuades the heart, and makes a man
obey out of love to God, whereas before it should never have gotten any ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xi now the end.htm

Steps to Wisdom: First, Fear; Second, Piety; Third, Knowledge ...
... [1764] It is necessary, then, that each man should first of ... he exercises himself
diligently in the love of his ... Accordingly, that holy man will be so single and ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 7 steps to wisdom first.htm

"Now the End of the Commandment," &C.
... law, (Romans 13:10) so that faith leads a man back again ... Faith is the mind to present
love's object ... beauty nor form in the commands, that they should desire them ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xiv now the end.htm

"To what Purpose is the Multitude of Your Sacrifices unto Me? ...
... hands; and shall your prayers be accepted, which should come up ... is real knowledge
indeed: it argues, that what a man knows, he receives in love, that the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon ix to what purpose.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by Jesus Christ.
... of the Christian Church was thus a holy man, it would ... hath made provision for it,
that we should find allusions ... do good to them that hate you, love your enemies ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter vi entire sanctification as.htm

The Manifestation of Holy Love.
... an effect of creation, the Father ordains that man should meet man ... That Love shone
forth as a love for an enemy. Man had become the enemy of God: "There is none ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xix the manifestation of holy.htm

Of Purity
... Now you should know that purity of spirit keeps a man in the likeness of God,
untroubled by ... If it is kept for the love and the glory of God, it is perfect. ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter xxii of purity.htm

First Sunday after Trinity. God is Love . . . And Herein is Love ...
... Can I with loveless heart receive. Tokens of love that never cease? ... Ah Friend of
Man, were I to turn from Thee,. ... Noble and sweet my song should be,. ...
/.../winkworth/lyra germanica the christian year/first sunday after trinity god.htm

The Imitation of Christ
... Things and in All Things to Those Who Love Him. ... The Thirty-Seventh Chapter: Pure
and Entire Resignation of ... The Thirty-Ninth Chapter: A Man Should Not Be Unduly ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/the imitation of christ/