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Love |
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Commanded in the Old Testament Exodus 23:4-5 If thou meet thine enemy's ox or his ass going astray, thou shalt surely bring it back to him again. {5} If thou see the ass of him that hateth thee lying under his burden, and wouldest forbear to help him, thou shalt surely help with him. Proverbs 25:21-22 If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: {22} For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee. Commanded by Jesus Matthew 5:43-45 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. {44} But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; {45} That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. Commanded by Paul Romans 12:20-21 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. {21} Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Commanded by Peter 1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 5. The song of love Highest of all Christian virtues 1 Corinthians 13:13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these <is> charity. Everything valueless without it 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 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. {2} And though I have <the gift of> prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. {3} And though I bestow all my goods to feed <the poor>, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Central nature is selflessness 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Charity suffereth long, <and> is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, {5} Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; {6} Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; {7} Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Endures throughout eternity 1 Corinthians 13:8-13 Charity never faileth: but whether <there be> prophecies, they shall fail; whether <there be> tongues, they shall cease; whether <there be> knowledge, it shall vanish away. {9} For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. {10} But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. {11} When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. {12} For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. {13} And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these <is> charity. C. Love of Christ 1. Love of Christ for the Father John 14:31 But that the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandment, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence. 2. Love of Christ for his people John 11:3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. John 11:5 Now Jesus loved Martha, and her sister, and Lazarus. John 11:36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him! His love for his disciples John 13:1 Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 15:9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. The disciple whom Jesus loved John 13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of his disciples, whom Jesus loved. John 19:26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman , behold thy son! John 20:2 Then she runneth, and cometh to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and saith unto them, They have taken away the Lord out of the sepulchre, and we know not where they have laid him. John 21:7 Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved saith unto Peter, It is the Lord. Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he girt <his> fisher's coat <unto him>, (for he was naked,) and did cast himself into the sea. John 21:20 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? His love for the church Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; His love expressed by his sacrifice John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Ephesians 5:25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 3. Our relaionship to this love We must realize how extensive it is Ephesians 3:17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, {18} May be able to comprehend with all saints what <is> the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; {19} And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. We must remain in it John 15:9-10 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. {10} If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. Nothing can seperate us from it Romans 8:35-37 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? <shall> tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? {36} As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. {37} Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. It motivates us to love others John 13:34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. John 15:12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. It serves as a pattern for husbands Ephesians 5:25-28 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; {26} That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, {27} That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. {28} So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. It motivates us to mission work 2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: D. Love of God 1. God is love 1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 1 John 4:16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. 2. God loves the Son Prophesided in the Old Testament Isaiah 42:1 Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, <in whom> my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. Matthew 12:18 Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles. Expressed at Jesus' baptism Matthew 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Expressed at the transfiguration Matthew 17:5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. 2 Peter 1:17 For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Acknowledged by Jesus John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and he will show him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. John 15:9-10 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. {10} If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. John 17:23-24 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. {24} Father , I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world. John 17:26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare <it>: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. 3. God loves the sinful world His love for the world stated John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. His love in spite of sin Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Titus 3:3-4 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, <and> hating one another. {4} But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, His love expressed in sending his son John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 1 John 4:9-10 In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. {10} Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son <to be> the propitiation for our sins. 4. God expresses a special love for his people In his love for Jesus John 16:27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God. John 17:23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. In our election Ephesians 1:4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 1 Thessalonians 1:4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. In being called Romans 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called <to be> saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, <and> called: In receiving his grace 2 Thessalonians 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given <us> everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, In our adoption 1 John 3:1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. In our salvation 2 Thessalonians 2:13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: Titus 3:4-5 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, {5} Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; In our redemption Deuteronomy 7:8 But because the LORD loved you, and because he would keep the oath which he had sworn unto your fathers, hath the LORD brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you out of the house of bondmen, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. Isaiah 63:9 In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old. In our forgiveness Isaiah 38:17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul <delivered it> from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. In our being made alive with Christ Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, {5} Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) In our receiving the Holy Spirit Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. In our being disciplined Hebrews 12:5-7 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: {6} For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. {7} If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? In our obedience 1 John 2:5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. In our love for others 1 John 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels <of compassion> from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1 John 4:12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected inus. In our receiving eternal life Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. 5. Our relationship to this love It is everlasting Jeremiah 31:3 The LORD hath appeared of old unto me, <saying>, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. We must be directed into it 2 Thessalonians 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. We must keep ourselves in it Jude 1:21 Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Nothing can seperate us from it Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? <shall> tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? {36} As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. {37} Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. {38} For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, {39} Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. |
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