Topical Bible: The Love of Christ: To be Imitated

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The love of Christ stands as a central tenet of Christian theology and practice, serving as both a profound mystery and a model for believers. This love, characterized by selflessness, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to the well-being of others, is not merely to be admired but actively imitated by those who follow Him.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides numerous exhortations for believers to emulate the love of 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." Here, the love of Christ is presented as the defining mark of His followers, a love that is to be mirrored in their relationships with one another.

The Apostle Paul further emphasizes this call to imitation in Ephesians 5:1-2, where he writes, "Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God." The sacrificial nature of Christ's love, demonstrated supremely on the cross, is the standard to which believers are called.

Characteristics of Christ's Love

1. Sacrificial: The love of Christ is epitomized by His willingness to lay down His life for humanity. In John 15:13, Jesus states, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." This ultimate act of sacrifice is the benchmark for Christian love, urging believers to prioritize the needs of others above their own.

2. Unconditional: Christ's love is not contingent upon the worthiness or actions of its recipients. Romans 5:8 declares, "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." This unconditional love challenges believers to extend grace and compassion even to those who may not deserve it.

3. Enduring: The love of Christ is steadfast and unchanging. In Romans 8:38-39, Paul assures believers that nothing can separate them from the love of God in Christ Jesus. This enduring love provides a model for believers to remain faithful and constant in their love for others, regardless of circumstances.

4. Compassionate: Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is moved by compassion for the suffering and marginalized. In Matthew 9:36, it is noted, "When He saw the crowds, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." This compassion calls believers to respond to the needs of others with empathy and action.

Practical Application

Imitating the love of Christ involves a transformation of heart and mind, as believers seek to embody His love in their daily lives. This imitation is not merely an external adherence to rules but a reflection of an inner change wrought by the Holy Spirit. In Galatians 5:22-23, the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, is described as evidence of a life transformed by Christ.

Believers are encouraged to practice this love within the community of faith and beyond. In 1 John 3:18, the apostle exhorts, "Little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth." This call to action underscores the necessity of tangible expressions of love, such as acts of service, kindness, and forgiveness.

Challenges and Encouragement

While the call to imitate Christ's love is clear, it is not without challenges. Human nature, marred by sin, often resists the selflessness required to love as Christ loved. However, believers are not left to their own devices. Philippians 4:13 offers encouragement: "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Through reliance on Christ and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to overcome these challenges and grow in love.

In summary, the love of Christ is both a gift to be received and a model to be followed. As believers strive to imitate this love, they bear witness to the transformative power of the Gospel and reflect the character of Christ to the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 13:34
A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 15:12
This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you.
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Ephesians 5:2
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and has given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling smell.
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1 John 3:16
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
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Library

Love and Obedience
... which is reluctant, calculated, forced upon us by dread, imitated from others"all
that is nothing; and Jesus Christ does not count ... 'If ye love Me, keep ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/love and obedience.htm

To the Philadelphians
... lest his suggestions wear you down, and you waver in your love. ... were God's temple;
value unity; flee schism; imitate Jesus Christ as he imitated his Father ...
/.../richardson/early christian fathers/to the philadelphians.htm

On the Feast of S. Laurence the Martyr (Aug. 10).
... be terrible to any of His followers, but might be imitated by many ... when they found
that his wondrous courage, born principally of love for Christ, not only ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/sermon lxxxv on the feast.htm

Whether it is More Meritorious to Love One's Neighbour than to ...
... did not wish to be separated from Christ when in ... of unbelief, and consequently is
not to be imitated in this ... which he would have sought out of love for himself ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/nature and grace/article eight whether it is.htm

Altogether Lovely
... Now, the apostles followed Christ; the first fathers imitated the apostles; the
next ... with his prudence and discretion we must seek to have Christ's love to God ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/altogether lovely.htm

Reply to the Arguments of the Adversaries.
... But the multitude since then has imitated not the faith of the Fathers ... by our love
we can overcome death, if by our love, without Christ as Propitiator ...
/.../melanchthon/the apology of the augsburg confession/part 7 reply to the.htm

The Parable of the Good Samaritan. (Luke, X. , 25, Seq. )
... The contrast between true and pretended love is thus ... [673] It has been supposed,
since Christ's reply is ... put into this connexion, a connexion imitated from Mark ...
/.../section 250 the parable of.htm

Monitions of Christ to the Apostles in Regard to Prudence in their ...
... Fit yourselves, by your labours of love, to become ... a model of serpent wisdom, which,
imitated by Christians ... The concluding words of Christ, above explained (v.13 ...
/.../section 182 monitions of christ.htm

Copies of Christ's Manner
... whether Peter meant to do like Jesus Christ or not ... Love always delights in imitation;
and the disciples of a ... are a good deal more easily imitated than insides. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/copies of christs manner.htm

Answering the Reasons which those Ministers Give, which Hinder the ...
... It would be well considered that Christ is in this ... lastly for a pledge and memorial
of the love that he ... Saints are more to be admired than imitated, and that ...
/.../chap ii answering the reasons.htm