Topical Bible: Love to Man is an Abiding Principle

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Love, as an abiding principle, is a central tenet of Christian doctrine, deeply rooted in the teachings of the Bible. It is not merely an emotion or a transient feeling but a steadfast commitment to the well-being of others, reflecting the nature of God Himself. The Bible consistently emphasizes love as a fundamental aspect of human relationships and a reflection of divine character.

Biblical Foundation

The concept of love as an enduring principle is grounded in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles. In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus identifies love as the greatest commandment, stating, "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" (Matthew 22:37-39). Here, love is presented as the foundation upon which all other commandments rest.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on the enduring nature of love in his first letter to the Corinthians. He writes, "Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will be dismissed" (1 Corinthians 13:8). Paul underscores that love is eternal, outlasting all other spiritual gifts and human achievements.

Expressions of Love

The Bible provides numerous examples of how love should manifest in the lives of believers. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), Jesus illustrates love as an active, selfless concern for others, transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries. The Samaritan's compassion for the wounded man exemplifies love in action, demonstrating that true love is sacrificial and inclusive.

The Apostle John, known as the "Apostle of Love," emphasizes the necessity of love among believers. In his first epistle, he writes, "Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God" (1 John 4:7). John asserts that love is evidence of a genuine relationship with God, and it is through love that believers reflect God's nature to the world.

Love as a Commandment

The New Testament repeatedly commands believers to love one another. Jesus, during the Last Supper, gave His disciples a new commandment: "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another" (John 13:34). This commandment elevates love to a divine mandate, calling believers to emulate the selfless love of Christ.

Paul echoes this command in his letters, urging the early Christian communities to prioritize love in their interactions. In Romans, he writes, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law" (Romans 13:8). Here, love is portrayed as a perpetual obligation, fulfilling the moral requirements of the law.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The ability to love as God commands is not innate but is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, lists love as the first fruit of the Spirit: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness" (Galatians 5:22). The indwelling of the Holy Spirit enables believers to love genuinely and persistently, reflecting God's love to the world.

Conclusion

Love to man, as an abiding principle, is a divine imperative that permeates the entirety of Scripture. It is a reflection of God's eternal nature and a commandment that believers are called to embody in their daily lives. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians are equipped to love others selflessly, fulfilling the law and bearing witness to the transformative power of the Gospel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 13:8,13
Charity never fails: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Scheme of Necessity Denies the Reality of Moral Distinctions.
... them, I will liken him unto a wise man who built ... other places, are we told that true
love is not a ... feeling of the heart, but an inwrought and abiding habit of ...
/.../chapter iii scheme of necessity.htm

Entering into the Infinite
... seeking their own personal happiness they lose the deeper, purer, and more abiding
bliss. Says Carlyle""There is in man a higher than love of happiness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/allen/the way of peace/entering into the infinite.htm

Outward and Inward Morality
... life of man is to be elevated from temporal selfishness to the spring of all love,
to God: man will again be master over nature by abiding in God and ...
/.../eckhart/meister eckharts sermons/vii outward and inward morality.htm

Letter iii. True Religion a Work of Grace in the Heart; but it ...
... settled principle of esteem and preference is abiding; and our ... especially of that
amazing display of his love, in the ... of God which brought this holy man so low ...
/.../letter iii true religion a.htm

A Faithful Undershepherd
... When truth becomes an abiding principle in the life, the soul is ... Love the brotherhood ...
For this is thankworthy," the apostle explained, "if a man for conscience ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 51 a faithful undershepherd.htm

John and the Gospel of Love.
... into a man, but by an abiding, personal union ... Eternal life in man consists in the
knowledge of the ... knowledge which implies full sympathy and communion of love. ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section72 john and the gospel.htm

1 John iv. 12
... of his dwelling in us, by his abiding self-revelation ... can be the object of perception
to man on earth. Union with God through love precedes that perfect vision ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/the first epistle of john/1 john iv 12.htm

Shewing How a Principle of Grace is from the Spirit of God. "
... For the very nature of it is love and union of ... has no proper natural tendency to
cause an abiding habit of ... And no man has a habit of grace dwelling in him any ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/edwards/treatise on grace/shewing how a principle of.htm

Epistle xxix. The Presbyters and Deacons Abiding at Rome, to ...
... 1. The presbyters and deacons abiding at Rome, to Father ... often become aware of your
mutual love and charity ... But the deceitfulness of that crafty man could not ...
/.../cyprian/the epistles of cyprian/epistle xxix the presbyters and.htm

The Greatest of These is Love.
... and hope can not be represented as abiding and enduring ... and hope into enjoyment,
for what a man seeth why ... But even before the throne of God, love remains as ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxiii the greatest of these.htm