Doctrines (posted Wednesday, July 4 2007)

How do we learn to love?

A new Christian does not suddenly begin to properly love everyone as soon as he is saved. If this were the case, then love would be a natural result of salvation and not a commandment in the Bible towards which we must strive.

We learn to love only one way: by learning about Jesus Christ and his mind, the Word of God. By knowing His mind and His commands, we know how to love.

- John 14:21 "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

- John 15:9-10 "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love."

- Philippians 1:9 And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,

- Colossians 2:2-3 My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

- 1 Timothy 1:3-5 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work - which is by faith. The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

- 1 John 5:2-3 This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome,

- 2 John 1:6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

What is love?

To describe this brotherly love for all, a simple listing of some of the many commands in the New Testament is a good start. Each verse contains some of the characteristics of love when properly exercised by the spiritual Christian who, by learning them, will love his neighbor.

- John 15:13 "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."

- Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves.

- Romans 13:10 Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

- Ephesians 4:2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.

- Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

- James 2:8-9 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.

- 1 Peter 3:8-9 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.

- 1 John 3:16-18 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

It is noteworthy that love is the first of the fruits of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life, and a summary of the entire Mosaic Law.

- Luke 10:25-28 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live."

- Galatians 5:14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

- Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Conclusion

With such a vast array of Scripture at hand, little explanation is needed to wrap up this study. Jesus taught that His followers love each other and their enemies, and that love was the correct summary of the Mosaic Law. Paul and Peter and others continually exhorted the church to love. We can love only by learning from and about the Word who became flesh: Jesus Christ.

Therefore, let us fulfill this command: learn and love.

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