Topical Bible: Christian Conduct: Loving One Another

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Introduction

The concept of loving one another is a central tenet of Christian conduct, deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostles. This principle is not merely an abstract ideal but a practical command that shapes the daily lives and interactions of believers. The call to love one another is woven throughout the New Testament, emphasizing its importance in the life of a Christian community.

Biblical Foundation

The command to love one another is explicitly stated by Jesus in the Gospel of John. In John 13:34-35 , Jesus instructs 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 all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." This passage highlights the love of Christ as the standard for Christian love and identifies it as a distinguishing mark of His followers.

The apostle Paul reiterates this command in his epistles, emphasizing its foundational role in Christian ethics. In Romans 13:8 , Paul writes, "Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." Here, love is presented as the fulfillment of the law, underscoring its comprehensive nature in guiding Christian behavior.

The Nature of Christian Love

Christian love, as depicted in the New Testament, is characterized by selflessness, sacrifice, and a commitment to the well-being of others. It is not merely an emotional response but an intentional act of the will. In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 , Paul provides a detailed description of love: "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 account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things."

This passage outlines the attributes of love that Christians are called to embody, emphasizing virtues such as patience, kindness, humility, and perseverance. These qualities reflect the character of Christ and serve as a model for believers in their relationships with one another.

Practical Expressions of Love

The New Testament provides numerous examples of how love should be practically expressed within the Christian community. Acts of service, hospitality, and generosity are tangible manifestations of love. In Galatians 5:13 , Paul exhorts believers, "For you, brothers, were called to freedom; but do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh. Rather, serve one another in love."

Furthermore, love is demonstrated through forgiveness and reconciliation. In Colossians 3:13-14 , Paul instructs, "Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity." Forgiveness is a crucial aspect of love, reflecting the forgiveness believers have received from Christ.

The Role of the Holy Spirit

The ability to love one another as Christ commands is not achieved through human effort alone but is empowered by the Holy Spirit. In Romans 5:5 , Paul states, "And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us." The Holy Spirit enables believers to love genuinely and sacrificially, transforming their hearts and minds to align with the will of God.

Conclusion

The call to love one another is a defining characteristic of Christian conduct, rooted in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. It is a command that encompasses all aspects of life, requiring believers to reflect the love of Christ in their interactions with others. Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, Christians are equipped to fulfill this command, demonstrating the transformative power of the Gospel in their lives.

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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Romans 12:10
Be kindly affectionate one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another;
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1 Corinthians 13:1-13
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
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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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Hebrews 13:1
Let brotherly love continue.
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Library

The Precept of Loving One's Enemies it is as Much Taught in the ...
... Chapter XVI."The Precept of Loving One's Enemies It is ... while the first is towards
one's neighbours, the ... others, so that I shape my conduct [4080] according ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xvi the precept of loving.htm

The Connection of the Christian virtues.
... Chapter IX."The Connection of the Christian Virtues. ... also, is natural affection,
being a loving treatment of ... accomplished in good habits of conduct, but the ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter ix the connection of the.htm

The Holy Spirit Guiding the Believer into a Life as a Son.
... of rules without us but by the loving Spirit of ... way, they open their lives to the
conduct and malevolent ... was leading him and "a sweet Christian woman," whom he ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter xiv the holy spirit.htm

The Secret of Well-Being
... The mother of all graces of conduct is the ... couplet deals with our relations to one
another, and puts forward the two virtues of 'loving-kindness and truth ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the secret of well-being.htm

A Compendious view of the Christian Life.
... practising the mincing motions of dancers, conduct themselves in ... us walk worthy of
the kingdom, loving God and ... is used for the place of Christian worship, even ...
/.../clement/the instructor paedagogus/chapter xi a compendious view of.htm

The Negative Side
... And are Christians absolved from loving God and their neighbour? ... is not what is the
standard of conduct for the ... from grace" means not for a Christian to obey ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the law and the saint/the negative side.htm

The Christian Training of Children.
... will prove, on closer consideration, to be kind and loving. ... cause to complain of
an un-Christian exercise of ... are old enough to understand the conduct of those ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/ix the christian training of.htm

Pleasing Christ
... of all our perplexities as to conduct come from our ... have here an all-powerful motive
for Christian life. ... men is stronger, when there are loving hearts concerned ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/pleasing christ.htm

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Love"
... It is in our daily life and conduct that the fruit of the Spirit ... You can deceive
yourself with beautiful thoughts about loving God ... Christian Work Requires Love. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/the fruit of the spirit.htm

'Thy Will be Done'
... Character and conduct are all important ... a lesson for all social reformers and for
Christian men to ... faint shadow of the universal dominion of His loving will in ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/thy will be done.htm