LET US LOVE ONE ANOTHER
By John C. Carpenter
The apostle John wrote, Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God;
and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. 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. Herein is love,
not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we
ought also to love one another (1 John 4:7-11).
TYPES OF LOVE MENTIONED IN THE SCRIPTURES
There are four types of love mentioned
in the holy scriptures. The first is referred to as Storge love, which exists between companions, family members, or friends, Storge
love is usually long-lasting, more permanent, and is not thought of at all to be temporary in nature. Life examples could include
one's attitudes and treatment of siblings, spouses, children, or even very close relationships. One example of Storge love can be
found in the ten commandments in the book of Exodus: Honour [Hebrew, kabad, to consider numerous, rich or honorable, to glorify, think
of as great or noble] thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee (Exodus
20:12).
The second type of biblical love is referred to as Phileo. Phileo love is thought of as brotherly and generous concern
for another. This type of love is most often based on shared values, interests, thoughts, and beliefs. Phileo love can also refers
to friendship or comradery. An example of Phileo love is found in Romans: Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love;
in honour preferring one another (Romans 12:10). A second example of Phileo love is found in Hebrews, which reads, Let brotherly love[Greek, philadelphia, fraternal affection, brotherly kindness, or love of the brethren] continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:
for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity,
as being yourselves also in the body (Hebrews 13:1-3).
A third type of biblical love is described as Eros, or sensual and sexual
passion. Eros love is thought of as healthy affectionate, sensual, bodily, love between husbands and wives. Eros love is a relationship
that involves physical attraction and desire given to us by God to be only expressed in ways pleasing to Him. Eros biblical love might
be found in Solomon's words: I am my beloved's, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies (Song of Solomon 6:3). We must
remember that God warns us in the scriptures against Eros love outside of marriage: Flee fornication [Greek, porneia, harlotry, including
adultery and incest, to indulge in unlawful lust of either sex]. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth
fornication sinneth against his own body. What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which
ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which
are God's (1 Corinthians 6:18-20).
Last, a fourth type of biblical love is referred to as Agape love. Not only is it thought
to be the highest, or most honorable kind of biblical love, but is described as the type of love the scriptures say God has for us.
Agape love is considered to be a strong, sacrificial, other-centered, and selfless affection. Jesus commanded a Jewish lawyer to have
agape love for God, as well as one's neighbor: Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love [Greek, agapao, to love in a social or moral sense]the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the
second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself (Matthew 22:37-39). Elsewhere, Jesus even teaches us to have agape
love for our enemies: Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love [Greek, agapao, to love in a social or moral sense] thy
neighbour, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you, Love [Greek, agapao, to love in a social or moral sense] 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; 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. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? (Matthew 5:43-46).
In verse seven of our subject verses, the love referred to is agapao, that is, a moral and social love.
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF
BIBLICAL LOVE
Now that we have mentioned the four types of love, we should think about love itself. So, what are the characteristics
of love? What is love like? What does it do, and what does it not do?
First of all, in the scriptures, love, often translated
as charity, has limitless value. Paul taught, 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. 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 [Greek, agape, love, affection, benevolence, or
dearly love], I am nothing [Greek, oudeis, none, nobody, never a man, or come to nought]. 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 [Greek, opheleo, to be useful, to have advantage,
be better, useful, prevail, or to be profitable] me nothing. Charity suffereth long [Greek, makrothumeo, to be long spirited, forbearing,
patient, bear long, be patient, or endure], and is kind [Gree, chresteuomai, to show oneself useful, gracious, kind, or to act benevolently];
charity envieth [Greek, zeloo, to have warmth of feeling for or against, to covet earnestly, have desire for, or be jealous of] not;
charity vaunteth not [Greek, perpereuomai, to brag, or to boast] itself, is not puffed up [Greek, phusioo, to inflate, to make proud,
or to grow], Doth not behave itself unseemly [Greek, aschemoneo, to be or act unbecomingly, or to behave onself uncomely], seeketh [Greek,zeteo, to seek literally or figuratively, to worship, to plot, endeavour, or seek after] not her own, is not easily provoked [Greek,paroxuno, to sharpen alongside, to exasperate, or to stir], thinketh [Greek, logizomai, to take an inventory, estimate, conclude,
despise, or reckon] no evil; Rejoiceth not [Greek, chairo, to cheer, be happy, be well, be glad, or hail] in iniquity, but rejoiceth
in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth [Greek, hupomeno, to stay under or behind, to
remain, to undergo trials, have fortitude, or tarry behind] all things. 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. For we know in part, and
we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 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. 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. And now abideth
faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).
Jesus Christ personally compels
the believer to love our enemies. He told His disciples, and those around Him, Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love
thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 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; 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 (Matthew 5:43-45), while the
apostle Paul wrote the Colossian church, Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness
of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as
Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity [Greek, agape, affection, benevolence], which is the
bond of perfectness [completeness, moral maturity] (Colossians 3:12-14). Scriptures also teach us that Hatred stirreth up strifes:
but love [Hebrew, ahabah, affection in a good sense] covereth [fills up, conceals] all sins (Proverbs 10:12).
God the Father's
love is fully expressed in His Son Jesus Christ, and, according to the teachings of the scriptures, nothing can separate the believer
from this expression of the Father's love. Paul wrote the believers in Rome, For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor
angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 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 (Romans 8:38-39). Scriptures also teach that those
who love God shall be delievered. The psalmist taught, Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy
habitation; There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give his angels charge
over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt
tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet. Because he hath set his love upon me,
therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I will answer him:
I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation (Psalms
91:9-16).
REASONS WHY THE BELIEVER SHOULD LOVE
The holy scriptures not only exhort, but command, the believer in God and
Christ to love. What are some of the reasons the believer in Christ should love? Biblically speaking, why should we love others?
Well,
first of all, we should be loving towards others, because God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven our sins. The apostle John wrote, Brethren,
I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which
ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness
is past, and the true light now shineth. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.He that loveth his brother abideth in the light [truth, revelation], and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth
his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake (1 John 2:7-12).
The scriptures also
teach us that loving and abiding in God will give us confidence of having eternal life. The apostle John taught: And now, little children,[love and] abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence [of our forgiveness and salvation], and not be ashamed [disgraced]before him at his coming (1 John 2:28). The apostle John teaches that we should love because our heavenly Father has loved us, and
adopted us as His sons and daughters: 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. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear
what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is (1 John 3:1-2). The
believer should also love because Christ loved us and laid down His lie for us: For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning,
that we should love one another. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to [love and]lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:11, 16).
Believers should also love because God the Father first loved us. John
explains, Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved,
if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us,
and his love is perfected in us (1 John 4:10-12). To love is also commanded. John wrote, And this is his commandment, That we should
believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment (1 John 3:23). Jesus told Judas, and
us, This is my commandment, That ye love [Greek, agapao, to love in a social or moral sense] one another, as I have loved you. Greater
love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (John 15:12-13).
Loving others was a priority to the
apostle Paul. Paul instructed, and exhorted, believers in Rome the priority of loving others. Paul wrote, Let love [Greek, agape,
affection or benevolence, a love feast, or charity] be without dissimulation [Greek, anupokritos, undissembled,, sincere, unfeigned,
or without hypocrisy]. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly
love [Greek, philadelphia, fraternal affection, or love of the brethren]; in honour preferring one another (Romans 12:9-10). Paul
added, Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law (Romans 13:8). The believer
in Christ should also love because, as mentioned earlier, love covers a multitude of sin, as well as evidence of God's grace. The
apostle Peter wrote, above all things have fervent charity [Greek, agape, to love in a social or moral sense, affection, benevolence,
or to consider dear] among yourselves: for charity [Greek, agape, to love in a social or moral sense, affection, benevolence, or to
consider dear] shall cover [Greek, kalupto, to cover literally or figuratively, to conceal, to keep secret, or to hide] the multitude
of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another,
as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:8-10).
Paul taught the church is Colossae to love because love is not
only the goal of the Christian faith, but love is the evident fruit of the Godly growth and maturation of our mental and moral character.
Paul explained, Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness,
longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you,
so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity [Greek, agape, to love in a social or moral sense, affection, benevolence,
or to consider dear], which is the bond [Greek, sundesmos, a joint tie, uniting principal, a control, a band or bond] of perfectness [Greek,teleiotes, complete in labor, growth, mental, or moral character, reaching the desired goal, completeness, or maturity] (Colossians
3:12-14).
The apostle Paul knew the value of love when he commanded Timothy, his own son in the faith, But thou, O man of God,
flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness (1 Timothy 6:11). Similarly, Paul also
instructed the church in Rome to love because love is the mark of a true believer in Christ, and is pleasing to God the Father. Paul
wrote, Let love [Greek, agape, to love in a social or moral sense, affection, benevolence, or to consider dear] be without dissimulation
[without hypocrisy, unfeigned, or sincere]. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with
brotherly love [Greek, philadelphia, to have fraternal affection, brotherly kindness, or love of the brethren]; in honour preferring
one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant
in prayer. Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality (Romans 12:9-13). Mature Christian love must include the
expression of truthful thoughts and feeliings, hating evil, cleaving to that which is good, being kindly affectioned others, displaying
brotherly affection, putting others first, being fervent in spirit, being in service to God, patience towards others, continuing in
prayer, meeting the needs of other saints, and having hospitality toward all.
Although there are many more reasons to love, let
us mention one last one. Believers in Christ should love because God has given us a spirit of courage, power, and love. Paul strengthened
Roman believers, God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7), and we
know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28).
God has not only given us the inward desire to love, but the ability and power to do so, as well.
GOD THE FATHER LOVES BELIEVERS
Without
a doubt God the Father is full of love. The holy scriptures teach that God has a mature, complete love for those in the world, and
that the highest expression of the Father's love can be found in His offer of salvation through faith in Christ to those who know
and accept Him and His Son. John wrote, Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son
hath the Father also. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the
beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised
us, even [specifically] eternal life (1 John 2:23-25).
According to the scriptures, the believer in Christ sees and understands
that Christ laid down His life for us because He loved us so. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have
passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother
is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid
down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (1 John 3:13-16). Jesus also explained God's great love
for the world to Nicodemus: 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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him
might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed
in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:16-18).
The apostle John also says this about God's love: Herein is love,
not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation [Greek, hilasmos, atonement, or expiator] for
our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another,
God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us (1 John 4:10-12). John also taught that Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is
the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 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. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of
judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world (1 John 4:15-17).
Jesus even prayed to His Father in heaven that the love
wherewith the Father has loved the Son would also be given to them that had come to faith in Christ. John tells us of Jesus' payer: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. O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee,
and these have known that thou hast sent me. 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 (John 17:24-26).
In his letter to the Ephesian believers, Paul referred to God's
mercy and great love He had for us, even when we were sinners, Paul explained, Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course
of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among
whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind;
and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us.
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved; And hath raised us up together, and
made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace
in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:2-7). Paul interestingly and appropriately correlated Christ's love for
the church with a husband's love for his wife, when he wrote the church in Ephesus, Husbands, love [Greek, agapao, to love in a social
or moral sense] your wives, even as Christ also loved [Greek, agapao, to love in a social or moral sense] the church, and gave himself
for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word (Ephesians 5:25-26).
The apostle Paul also
referred to Christ's love for him, and the entire church, when he wrote the church in Galatia, 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 [Greek, agapao, to love in a social or moral sense] me, and gave [Greek, paradidomi, to surrender, to yield up, entrust, transmit,
cast, commit, or give up] himself for me (Galatians 2:20). Referring to God's great love for us, the psalmist concludes with these
encouraging words, Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness [Hebrew, chesed, kindness, piety, favour, goodliness, loving kindness, merciful,
mercy, or pity] in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto
thee (Psalms 143:8).
As a last example, Paul offered evidence of the love of Christ. Paul wrote the Galatian church, 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 (Galatians 2:20). Paul later explained the source of love: the fruit of the
Spirit [living within us] is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there
is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).
THE BELIEVER LOVES HIS BROTHER IN CHRIST
The scriptures also teach us that believers in Christ
love, or should love, their brothers in Christ. John explained, For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we
should love one another. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own
works were evil, and his brother's righteous. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. We know that we have passed from death
unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer:
and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him (1 John 3:11-15). In fact, our love for our brothers in Christ is evidence
that we have eternal life.
Right after that, the apostle summarizes, Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down
his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 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? My little children, let us not love [others] in
word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before
him (1 John 3:16-19). In fact, the believer's love of the brethren is evidence of the believer's love for God the Father and His Son.
The
apostle John concludes, Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him [God the Father] that
begat loveth him [Christ, and others who are saved] also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God,
when we love God, and keep his commandments (1 John 5:1-2).
EVIDENCE THAT THE CHRISTIAN LOVES
There are various fruits mentioned
in the scriptures that provide evidence that believers in Christ are loving. The first evidence, or indication, that the believer
in Christ is loving is mentioned by the apostle John. Paul wrote, Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: andevery one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when
we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous (1
John 5:1-3). According to John, the believer in Christ knows that he or she is a child of God when he or she loves the children of
God, loves God Himself, and keeps God's commandments.
John gives us a second piece of evidence that the believer loves. John
wrote, If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of
his Son. He that believeth on [and loveth] the Son of God hath the witness [Greek, marturia, evidence given judicially or generally
record, report, or testimony] in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record [Greek,marturia, evidence given judicially or generally record, report, or testimony] that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that
God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God
hath not life (1 John 5:9-12). A great evidence or testimony of the love of the believer in Christ is that we believe on the Son of
God.
Third, Jesus explained to His disciples another evidence that they are loving. Jesus told His disciples, A new commandment
I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye
are my disciples, if ye have love one to another (John 13:34-35). Men shall know that believers in Christ are loving if believers
love one another.
Fourth, the love of the believer in Christ is apparent if he or she keeps the commandments of God. Christ explains,As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 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. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you,
and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you (John 15:9-12). Christ instructs
us that if we continue to abide in His love, we will keep His commandments; and that when we keep His commandments, we shall not only
have joy, but that joy will be full as well as remain in us.
As our last example, a fifth evidence that the believer is loving
is, again, offered by the apostle John. John wrote, Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: andwe ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. 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? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue;
but in deed and in truth (1 John 3:16-18). The apostle argues that because Christ laid down His life for we sinners, we believers
should also lay down our lives for our brothers. When we see a brother in need, we should pour out our pity, sympathy, inward affection
and tender mercies upon him or her. God the Father mentions this to be clear evidence of expression of the believer's love.
Christ
summarizes His thoughts and will regarding love in two simple commandments: thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely
this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these (Mark 12:30-31). Jesus also plainly
taught that we should love because God is love, love is His essence, His nature: we have known and believed the love that God hath
to us. God is love [Greek, agape, to love in a social or moral sense, affection, benevolence, or to consider dear]; and he that dwelleth
in love dwelleth in God, and God in him (1 John 4:16), while, in our subject verses, John so strongly and lovingly exhorts us in our
subject verses, Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. AMEN.
THE CHRISTIAN HERALD
A
Judeo-Christian Bible Study
"To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought
me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a
new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD. Blessed is that man that
maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies”
(Psalms 40:1-4).
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified [found
by God not guilty, innocent] by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled
to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved
by his life”
(Romans 5:8-10).
"I charge THEE therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and
his kingdom; Preach
the word [of truth, the gospel]; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering
and
doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves
teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be
turned unto fables
(2 Timothy 4:1-4).
“But as many
as received him,
to them gave he
power to become the sons of God,
EVEN to them
that believe on his name: Which were
born, not of blood,
nor of the will
of the flesh, nor
of the will of man,
but of God”
(John 1:12-13).