Love, in Theory

The overwhelming message of the Bible, of Christianity, is LOVE.

When asked what was the greatest commandment, Jesus quoted the law given to the Hebrew people by God through Moses (Deuteronomy 6:5). He said, ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ “ (Matthew 22:37-39). 

Jesus adds that we must also love our enemies. He again modified an Old Testament law (Leviticus 19:18): “But I tell you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. … 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 brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?” (Matthew 5:44-47).

Just as Jesus was the fulfillment of prophecies, so love is the fulfillment of the law, (Romans 13:9-10). We should do everything in love. (1 Corinthians 16:4).   

In the Luke version, Jesus gives practical examples of how to love our enemies – by following the Golden Rule. He says, “But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone asks what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others what you would have them do to you.  If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. And if you do good to those are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners’ expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because He is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.” (Luke 6:27-35)

The key here is that Jesus’ kind of love is extreme. It is unexpected. It is unique. 

So much so that it will set apart those who practice it.

Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35)

In fact, He gave His disciples a new command, another variation on the love theme.  “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)

What’s the difference? What does it mean to love as Jesus loved?

How did Jesus show His love?

Well, Christ demonstrates his own love for us in that while we were yet sinners, he died for us. (Romans 5:8)

That has become the new definition of love. 

This is how we know that love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.   (1 John 3:16)

To lay down your life means not necessarily to DIE for them, but to put them FIRST. The previous verse is followed up with direction on putting love into action. 

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. (1 John 3:17-18)

After all, the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself in love. (Galatians 5:6). If we have faith in such a loving God, then we can trust Him to protect and provide for us as we make ourselves vulnerable before others. 

Be aware that doing good things for others is not enough. As the famous Love Chapter of the Bible (1 Corinthians 13) reminds us: if you have not love, you are nothing (v. 2). 

Love must be sincere. … Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:9-10).  

Furthermore, do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility, consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. (Philippians 2:3-4).

The only reason or way that we can possibly love like Jesus loves is by going back to – and remaining in – the ultimate source of love, of course. 

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. This is how God showed His love for us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. … We love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:7-11, 19)

1. Love God.
2. Love others.
1. Love your neighbors.
2. Love your enemies. 

                                          i.      Love as you love yourself. 

1.      Lay down your life. Crucify your own desires to honor others.  

This has been the theoretical Scriptural background on the basic command of love.  It seems like a simple concept, like “Duh, love,” but I find that God is always teaching me, bringing things to my mind in a FRESH way, reminding me of the basics and calling me to understand them in a deeper way. 

Obviously, the practice is a lot trickier.  I want to share stories about specifically how I am giving and receiving love, but those experiences, besides being intensely personal, involve other people, so I have to be sensitive to them as well. Hopefully, more will be coming soon …