The Love in Christ Jesus!

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” – Romans 12:9-10 NLT

If we are followers of Jesus Christ and know that we are children of God (John 1:12-13)—love is one of the characteristic attributes we must have. This is because the word of God announces, “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8) This means love that is spiritual should be happening outside of marriage as well, for it is the law of God. In fact, loving one another is the second greatest commandments of God when Jesus Christ affirms, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31) Thus, for this reason, the word of God declares,

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. (Romans 13:8-10)

When we love one another spiritually, we ought to value and honor each other above ourselves, even our enemies. This is because the word of God urges,

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. (Philippians 2:1-4)

Let us look at how God has loved us, for example. Once Adam, first man that God had created, sinned, Satan has deceived us all that all of us became sinners (Romans 5:12). Because of this, God once regretted for creating us (Genesis 6:6). However, because we are part of His creation (Genesis 1:27)—He loved all of us so much that He came down from heaven into the world as the image of His Son, Jesus Christ (John 1:14) to crucify Himself as an atonement of our sins. (Colossians 2:13-15)

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:43-48)

Even though we do not have to suffer for others like Jesus did, all of us are called to love one another, since we are all equally made by our heavenly Father (Psalm 139:13-14; 1 John 5:1) and love is one of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) In addition, if we love one another like Christ did—we are bring His light into the world (Matthew 5:14-16). Hence, the word of God commands, “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.” (1 John 4:11-12,17-18)

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, 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. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)