Post 25: Christian Love for Other
Image: Silhouettes of people holding hands in front of the cross of Jesus Christ with the words "Love each other" displayed over the cross. The website name bytesofsalvation.com is also on the image.
Summary: The previous post, Post 24: God is love, sets up a biblical framework for the discussion in this post on how we as Christians ought to love others, believers and non-believers.
The Bible highlights that God Is love (1 John 4:16) and created humanity in His own image (Genesis 1:26-27, Isaiah 43:7), for fellowship and relationship (1 Corinthians 1:9, Revelation 3:20) and for the purpose of being known by Him (Acts 17:26-27). God demonstrates His love for humanity in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:8) for the forgiveness of our sins (scripture reference) and reconciliation with God that brings eternal life (John 17:3).
Loving others is described as a mark of knowing God, while failing to love indicates a lack of understanding of God's character. Jesus summarized the law, giving the greatest commandment as loving God with all one's heart, soul, mind, and strength, and loving one's neighbor as oneself (Mark 12:30).
In 1 Corinthians 13, the Bible talks about many of the characteristics of love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 (NIV) says "4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres."
The Bible also teaches us that one of the "Fruit of the Spirit" is love (Galatians 5:22-23). The main message of this passage is that those characteristics mentioned represents a single, cohesive character that is a "natural byproduct" of abiding in Christ (John 15:5), who enables believers to live spiritually and morally transformed lives.
The love Jesus demonstrates to the world is a model of the love Christians ought to have amongst each other as well as showing love towards unbelievers. In demonstrating godly love toward all, we are accurately reflecting God's character, shown in Christ, who is the image of the invisible God (2 Corinthians 3:18, Colossians 1:15).
Christians Loving One Another
Christian love for one another should be modeled after Jesus, and rooted in Jesus' command in John 13:34-35, which says "34 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
The standard for love that Jesus set for us is to love "as I have loved you," which involves unconditional, sacrificial action, most importantly being Jesus dying on the cross to save us. This love is not just a feeling, but an intentional, visible action that glorifies God and testifies to the world of the truth of the love of God we find in Christ!
Here, our love for each other is defined as a "new commandment" that serves as the primary identifier of our identity in Christ to be demonstrated to the unbelieving world. We ought to love each other with a sacrificial, selfless, and active commitment that puts others' needs above our own as Christ did for us. When we demonstrate our love for each other as Christ instructs us to, non-believers will recognize we belong to God and will be drawn to His Kingdom.
Romans 12:9-10 (NKJV) says, "9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another". This indicates to me that the love we have towards each other ought not to be artificial, but instead should be sincere and from the heart. This also means that living in love for each other means we should hate what God's word says is evil, hold fast to what God's word says is good and love each other with a deep, family-like affection.
Aside from being a direct commandment from Jesus, we can realize a number of benefits of having a love like this. This kind of love enables people to love others unconditionally, acting as a model for all human relationships. This kind of love fosters unity (Colossians 3:14) regardless of cultural practices, ethnic background, or socioeconomic status, indiscriminately putting others' needs above our own.
When we love each other as we ought, we are also able to extend forgiveness and grace to those who may have failed or harmed us (Ephesians 4:32, 1 Peter 4:8), just as Christ offers forgiveness to all of mankind, whose sins put Him on the cross (Isaiah 53:5, 1 John 2:2).
In Galatians 6:2 (ESV), the Bible tells us, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ". Since all Christians live as one body unified in Christ (1 Corinthians 12:12-27), we do not walk this Christian life alone, and so should help to support each other and alleviate the burdens of fellow believers who are experiencing difficult times, hardship, temptation, or weakness.
This kind of love also enables confrontation in a caring way, in which we can hold each other accountable for the sin in our lives in a manner that is humble and constructive, rather than judgmental ((Matthew 18:15-17, Luke 17:3, Galatians 6:1). The Spirit of God in the believer also empowers us to love even when the outward circumstances might otherwise interfere with our commitment to love each other in spite of any transgressions committed or difficulties experienced (Colossians 3:13, Romans 12:17-21).
Christians loving non-believers
God's love is not biased or partial (Acts 10:34-35), providing common grace to all mankind, blessing both the believer and the unbeliever with sun and rain (Matthew 5:45). The Bible teaches that believers should love non-believers by showing kindness, serving them, praying for them, and sharing the truth of the gospel with them, as this reflects God's unconditional love for all people.
In Jesus' earthly ministry, He also commanded us to love our enemies, teaching that we should also pray for them, bless them, and be kind to them, inspite of any persecution or disagreements (Proverbs 25:21-22, Luke 6:27-28, Romans 12:20). Christians are also called to do good, be kind to, and serve the ungrateful and wicked, as seen in the example set in the teaching of the Good Samaritan found in Luke 10:25-37.
While instructed to love everyone, including enemies, believers are warned against being "unequally yoked" in close partnerships or marriages that compromise their faith. 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 (NKJV) says, " 14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?".
This passage warns against forming deep bonds with those who are not reconciled through Christ, as their differing beliefs or pagan religious practices may eventually hinder or negatively influence a Christian's commitment to God.
When I think about how we are to share the gospel truth of Christ to unbelievers, I am reminded that I also used to be an unbeliever, condemned before God by rejecting Christ, and someone shared the message with me. I'm so thankful that God eventually used the gospel seed planted in my heart as a child to convict me to repentance and faith as an adult!
Conclusion
Once we come to a good understanding of how we ought to love others, we should seek to apply this daily in our lives through active prayer and application of God's Word. Believers are called to reflect Christ-like love by demonstrating love towards one another as well as towards unbelievers and enemies. We are able to love in this way because we have been first loved by God and are called to reflect that same sacrificial, sincere love to the world.
True Christian love involves abiding in Christ (1 John 4:16) to transform our actions and attitudes on a daily basis. In Christ, we are empowered to exercise a love like His, one that is kind, patient, humble, forgiving and committed to putting others' needs above their own.
If I'm being honest, loving others in this way is NOT always easy, especially when you are engaging with arrogant, prideful people who think they can do no wrong and who often belittle and even persecute those with whom they disagree. And yet Jesus, being perfect in every way, was persecuted unto death for our sins, and graciously endured the cross out the immeasurable love He has for mankind!
As I meditate on God's vast love for me, I am reminded that I ought to reflect that same measure of love outwardly towards all people! God promises us that we can love in this way when Christ is at the center of our lives and we allow ourselves to be led by His Holy Spirit!
O' Lord, lead me into true love and the way everlasting! AMEN!