The Thing called LOVE!

LOVE
All bible quotes are from the New Jerusalem Bible unless otherwise noted.

According to the bible, Love is the greatest of all things (1 Corinthians 13:13). Therefore, it is appropriate that we include a page that covers the various facets of love that the bible teaches.

To start with, the bible defines “LOVE” at 1 Corinthians chapter 13:4-7

Love is always patient and kind; love is never jealous, love is never boastful or conceited, it is never rude and never seeks its own advantage, it does not take offence or store up grievances. Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing but finds its joy in the truth. It is always ready to make allowances, to trust, to hope, and to endure whatever comes.

This is a thorough definition of love, and it can seem a bit intimidating when we try to follow it to the letter. However, since love is the greatest of things, we need to do our best to have love and display it. Everything we do in our daily living must be done with the element of love involved (1 Corinthians 16:14).

Love is one of the fruits of the spirit (Galatians 5:22). This makes sense because God is a spirit (John 4:24) and He is love (1 John 4:8, 16),and love is from God (1 John 4:7). God loves us (Ephesians 2:4). We must imitate God by walking in love (Ephesians 5:1). This is why we are commanded to love others (Leviticus 19:18,34, Deuteronomy 10:19, Matthew 19:19, Matthew 22:39, John 13:34, John 15:17), even our enemies (Matthew 5:43-46, Luke 6:27). We are also to love the laws of God (Proverbs 4:1-6). Also, if we love Christ, we will observe his commandments (John 14:15,23-24, John 15:9-10, 1 John 5:3, 2 John 6). And of course, we are to love God with our whole heart, soul and mind (Deuteronomy 6:5, 10:12, Deut. 11:1, 13,22, Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30). God will not forget love shown in His name (Hebrews 6:10). Christ’s disciples will have love among themselves (John 13:34).

Love covers over all transgressions (Proverbs 10:12, Proverbs 17:9, 1 Peter 4:8). Love builds a person up (1 Corinthians 8:1). Love does not work evil to one’s neighbor (Romans 13:10). Our love must be without hypocrisy (Romans 12:9). Love is better than riches (Proverbs 15:17). We must have brotherly love for one another (Romans 12:10, 1 Thessalonians 4:9, Hebrews 13:1). The only thing that we really owe one another is love (Romans 13:8).We must remember to show love to those who have repented from their sins (2 Corinthians 2:5-10).

Although having gifts of the spirit is good, those mean nothing if you don’t have love as well (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Though we may seek spiritual gifts, we must always remember to pursue love (1 Corinthians 14:1, 1 Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 2:22). We must put up with one another in love (Ephesians 4:1-2). Love is a perfect bond of union (Colossians 3:14).We are to incite each other to love and fine works (Hebrews 10:24). Though we are to show love, we are not to show favoritism (James 2:8). He that does not love is as good as dead (1 John 3:14).

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