Topical Bible: Love to Man: Taught by God

◄ Love to Man: Taught by God ►

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The concept of love for fellow human beings, as taught by God, is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting the divine nature and character of God Himself. This love, often referred to as "agape" in the New Testament, is selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional, mirroring the love God has for humanity.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding love for others as a divine command. 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 part of the Holiness Code, emphasizing that love for others is integral to living a life that reflects God's holiness.

The prophets also echo this teaching. Micah 6:8 states, "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" Here, love is intertwined with justice and mercy, underscoring its importance in the life of the faithful.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ exemplifies and expands upon the command to love others. In Matthew 22:37-39 , Jesus summarizes the Law with two commandments: "‘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.’" Jesus elevates love for others to a position of utmost importance, second only to love for God.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this teaching in his epistles. In Romans 13:8-10 , he writes, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments... are summed up in this one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law." Paul emphasizes that love is the essence of the law and the guiding principle for Christian conduct.

The Example of Christ

The ultimate demonstration of love taught by God is found in the life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. 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." The love of Christ is the model for believers, characterized by humility, service, and self-sacrifice.

The Apostle John reiterates this in 1 John 4:7-11 : "Beloved, let us love one another, because 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 is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him. And love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."

Practical Implications

The teaching of love to man, as taught by God, has profound implications for Christian living. It calls believers to transcend cultural, social, and personal barriers, extending love to all people, including enemies. In Matthew 5:44-45 , Jesus instructs, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven."

This divine love is not merely an emotion but an active choice and commitment to seek the welfare of others. It is a reflection of God's love and a testament to the transformative power of the Gospel in the lives of believers.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Thessalonians 4:9
But as touching brotherly love you need not that I write to you: for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Cuthbert, a Man of God, was Made Bishop; and How He Lived and ...
... from the life of foolish custom, to the love of heavenly ... desire to persuade men of
what he taught, such a ... shone in his angelic face, that no man present dared ...
/.../bede/bedes ecclesiastical history of england/chap xxvii how cuthbert a.htm

Through Three Things a Man Becomes God-Seeing
... But the God-seeing man who has forsaken self and all things ... lose us in the immeasurable
Breadth of the Love of God. ... For the contemplative life cannot be taught. ...
/.../the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter iii through three things.htm

Showing How the Inward Man Should Exercise Himself, that He May be ...
... And this is taught us by St John, where he says ... And so in such an inward man, whom
God has ... highest introversion but his enlightened reason and his active love. ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter viii showing how the.htm

The Christian's God
... holy love. We know that He controlled nature, when on earth, and not nature
Him. He taught the great love of God for man. He made ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study ii the christians god.htm

It Clearly Appears that There was but one Author of Both the Old ...
... has respect to love] towards our neighbour, the Lord has taught, when He ... without
love all are hollow and vain; moreover, that love makes man perfect; and ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xii it clearly appears that.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by Jesus Christ.
... ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION AS TAUGHT BY JESUS CHRIST. ... Saviour teaches that holiness consists
of nothing more nor less nor else than perfect love to God and man. ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter vi entire sanctification as.htm

Christ, the Great Teacher
... When He taught His disciples how to pray He began His immortal prayer not with
"Great God of the universe," or "Creator of all ... Man is to love and forgive as ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study i christ the great.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by John.
... ENTIRE SANCTIFICATION AS TAUGHT BY JOHN ... out devils in the name of Jesus, because
the man was not ... His soul seems absolutely absorbed in the love of God, and his ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter ix entire sanctification as.htm

Explanation of the Words of Christ, "No Man Knoweth the Father ...
... Himself, my faith towards Him is stedfast, and my love to the ... For the Lord taught
us that no man is capable of knowing God, unless he be taught of God ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter vi explanation of the words.htm

Prayer --Fills Man's Poverty with God's Riches
... He taught Paul how to pray by the revelation of ... Prayer, like love, is too ethereal
and too heavenly to be ... Prayer is no petty invention of man, a fancied relief ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/ii prayerfills mans poverty with.htm