THAT YE LOVE ONE ANOTHER
By John C. Carpenter
 
Jesus Christ taught Thomas, Philip, and Judas, I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word [of the gospel] which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 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. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you (John 15:1-14). In this article, we will discuss the three basic types of biblical love, the love of God for man, the love of man for God, the love of man for man, selfish love, love as evidence of salvation, and love as commanded by Christ.
 
THE LOVE THAT GOD HATH TO US
 
The Holy Scriptures mention three basic types of biblical love: agapao, phileo, and eros. “Agapao” means “to love or be loved, in a social or moral sense, specifically love which is sacrificial in nature,” whereas “phileo” means “to be a friend, fond of, have brotherly affection for, personal attachment and affection.” “Eros.” the third type of biblical love, is defined as “physical, sensual, and sexual attraction accompanied by a desire for emotional connection,” and is identified with the love found between a husband and wife. In verse 12 of our subject verses, when Christ commands His disciples to “love” one another, Christ is instructing them to have “agapao,” or social, moral, sacrificial concern, affection, and love for one another. Christ's commandment to His disciples for them to have sacrificial love for one another was not something that was just important, or significant, not just a request, but was presented as an injunction, an authoritative prescription, a precept, something that was required from His viewpoint. It was not a suggestion to love; it was and is a commandment to love.
 
The idea of sacrificial love of God for man did not begin in the heart, mind, or body of man, but began with God the Father, in the beginning of time [Mat 25:34], and in the person of Jesus Christ. The apostle John exaplained: we have known and believed the love [agape, i.e., affection, benevolence, charity, love feast] that God hath to us. God is love [agape, affection, benevolence, charity, love feast, sacrificial love]; and he that dwelleth in love [agape, sacrificial] dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love [agape, sacrificial love] made perfect [complete, consecrated], that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear [of judgment] in love [agape, sacrificial love]; but perfect love [agape, sacrificial love] casteth out fear [of judgment]: because fear [of judgment] hath torment. He that feareth [judgment] is not made perfect in love. We love [agapao, sacrificial love] him, because he first loved [agapeo, sacrificially loved] us (1 John 4:16-19). Understanding the importance of sacrificial love, Paul expressed his hope for believers in Ephesus That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love [agape, sacrificial], May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love[agape, sacrificial] of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God (Eph 3:17-19). Paul later added, Husbands, love [agapao, sacrificially] your wives, even as Christ also loved [agapao, sacrificially] the church, and gave himself for it (Eph 5:25). God's sacrificial love through Christ is seen throughout scriptures: ...God commendeth his love [agape, sacrificial love] toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died [sacrificially] for us (Rom 5:8). Despite the fact that we were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving diverse lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, and hating one another, God, in His kindness and love toward man, offered His son, Christ, and saved us, not because of our works of righteousness which we have done, but because of His mercy (Titus 3:3-5). The apostle Paul referred to Christ's sacrificial love when he wrote Galatian believers 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 [sacrificially] for me (Gal 2:20). Christ, referring to the sacrificial love He wanted His disciples to have for one another, as well as His own upcoming, sacrifice of love, said to His disciples, Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends (Joh 15:13). Paul explained the depth of God's love when he wrote to Ephesian believers, God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved [agape, affection, benevolence, sacrificial love] 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 (Eph 2:4-6). The mighty apostle summed up the depth, and means, of expression of God's love when he wrote Roman believers 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 [agape, affection, benevolence, feast of love and charity, sacrificial love] of God, which is in [manifested through the loving sacrifice of] Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom 8:38-39). God's sacrificial love for man is undeniable, but man is expected to love God as well.
 
THOU SHALT LOVE THE LORD THY GOD
 
The command for man to love God is not found just in the new testament. In the old testament, God the Father commanded Israel, and modern day believers: ...thou shalt love [ahab in Hebrew, i.e., to have affection for, like, be a friend of, love] the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command [appoint, constitute, enjoin, give a charge] thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates (Deu 6:5-9). Solomon prayed to and glorified God: ...O LORD God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee [and love thee] with all their hearts (2 Ch 6:14). Joshua called the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and the half tribe of Manasseh, and said to them, take diligent heed to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the LORD charged you, to love [ahab in Hebrew, i.e., to have affection for, like, be a friend of, love] the LORD your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul (Jos 22:1-5). One of the Pharisees, a lawyer, asked Christ which was the greatest commandment in the law. Christ answered, Thou shalt love 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 (Mat 22:37-39). Jesus also taught that we believers love God because He has forgiven our large debt of sin (Mat 7:41-48). The great apostle Paul warned, If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha [divinely judged and cursed] (1Co 16:22). Peter explained that believers love God in spite of the fact that they have not seen Him, and because of believing without seeing, rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory (1 Pet 1:8). Clearly, our heavenly Father certainly wants us to love God; but He also wants us to love our fellow man.
 
THOU SHALT LOVE THY NEIGHBOR AS THYSELF
 
Loving God is not difficult, but loving our fellow man can be a real chore and challenge. It is sometimes difficult to have sacrificial love and affecton for our family, co-workers, employers, friends, strangers, or enemies. It is sometimes almost impossible, or seems so, to love those who criticize us, humiliate us, curse us, use us, or abuse us. Christ referred to those who sacrificially love their fellow man, including enemies and strangers, as spiritually mature and complete. He taught the multitudes and His disciples, 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. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect [of full age, or complete in labor, growth, mental and moral character], even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect (Mat 5:43-48). In the book of Deuteronomy, we are instructed to Love [ahab in Hebrew, i.e., to like, befriend, to have affection for, to love] ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt (Deu 10:19), as well as Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour. Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am the LORD. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love [ahab in Hebrew, i.e., to like, befriend, to have affection for, to love] thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD (Lev 19:13-18). Christ taught that we should honor our mother and father, and love our neighbour as thyself (Mat 19:19). Christ knew the importance of love for our fellow man when prayed to His heavenly Father, I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love [agape, i.e., affection, benevolence, charity, love feast] wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them (Joh 17:26). Christ commanded His disciples to love one another, so that others would know that they were the disciples of Christ: 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 (Joh 13:34-35). Paul wrote believers in Rome, Owe no man any thing, but to love [agapao, to love in a social or moral sense] one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love [agape, i.e., affection, benevolence, charity, love feast] worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling [completes the requirements] of the law (Rom 13:8-10). Christ gives us some specifics on loving our fellow man: And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again (Luk 6:31-38). Paul exhorted Ephesian believers: I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love [agape, i.e., affection, benevolence, charity, love feast, sacrificial love] (Eph 4:1-2). Even though difficult at times, believers in Christ are to love their neighbors, strangers, and enemies as themselves, for God is love, and we are God's.
 
THAT THEY MAY BE SEEN OF MEN
 
However, not all love is Godly or sacrificial. Christ warns us about what can be thought of as egotistical, selfish, narcissistic love: And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love [phileo, i.e., to be a friend to, have affection for, personal attachment, brotherly affection for] to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly (Mat 6:5-6). Hypocrites intentionally pray publicly so that they may be seen by others, with the expectation that others will consider them spiritual, righteous and holy. Their praying is more about impressions and reputation, and having their ego stroked, rather than about a serious, personal prayerful one-on-one relationship with God the Father. In verse 6 above, Christ continues by giving us valuable instructions about prayer: when we are let to pray, we should enter into our private closet, shut the door, and pray to our Father in secret. The point is, though, that the “love” these hyprocrites have for prayer is not a Godly, sacrificial love, but a brotherly affection, which is selfish and narcissistic.Speaking to His disciples and the multitudes, Christ again mentioned the selfish, egotistical love that the Jewish Pharisees had. In order to be seen by men as spiritual, important, and powerful, the Pharisees loved to sit in places of authority (Mat 23:2). They also loved to give spirtual instructions and guidance to others on how to behave (Mat 23:4), but did not live by their own words (Mat 23:4), to which Christ responded, ...do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not (Mat 23:3). Christ added about the Pharisees,But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi [master], Rabbi (Mat 23:5-7). Their “love” is a brotherly affection for themselves, not a sacrificial love for Christ or their fellow man. While teaching in the temple, Christ also warned about the ungodly and selfish love of the Jewish scribes: ..Beware of the scribes, which love [Hebrew is thelo, i.e., to choose, prefer, desire, intend, delight in, are pleased] to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: Which devour widows' houses, and for a pretence [for an outward show] make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation (Mark 12:38-40). In life, we all know and understand that love can be lost. Holy scriptures also verify this. When asked by His disciples what would be the sign of the end of the world and His coming, Christ explained that loss of love would be one of the characteristics of those last days: And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound,the love [agape, i.e., affection, benevolence, charity, love feast, sacrificial love] of many shall wax cold (Mat 24:4-12). In the revelation of John, Christ prophesies the loss of sacrificial love of Christ about the church of Ephesus: Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first [foremost, greatest] love [agape, i.e., affection, benevolence, charity, love feast, sacrificial love] (Rev 2:4). There are types of “love” mentioned in the scriptures which are neither sacrificial, holy or Godly, but which none-the-less occupy the minds and hearts of many from time to time. These types of loves do not please God the Father, they are not indicative of those who have a personal and loving relationship with Him, nor are they present in those who truly have eternal salvation through faith in Christ. They are not sacrificial in nature, but egotistical, narcissistic, and self serving.
 
HE THAT LOVETH NOT KNOWETH NOT GOD
 
As we have mentioned, according to scriptures, sacrificial love is intimately paired with knowledge of God and salvation; and without sacrificial love, there is no salvation. Scriptures plainly teach that He that loveth [agapao, i.e., social, moral, and sacrificial] not knoweth not God; for God is love [agape, i.e., social, moral, sacrificial love] (1John 4:8). John taught We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love [agapao, i.e., social, moral, and sacrificial 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 (1Jn 3:14-16). John later clarified, 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 [agapao, i.e., social, moral, and sacrificial love] his brother abideth in the light, 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 (1Jn 2:7-11). The greatest expression of the relationship between sacrificial love and salvation can be found in the words of the apostle Paul written to Roman believers: Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: 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. For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth [introduced, expressed] his love [agape, i.e., social, moral, sacrificial love] toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died [gave Himself up sacrificially] for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him (Rom 5:1-9). Simply put, the sacrificial love of God was manifested in the death of Christ, which resulted in the salvation, through faith, of we sinners.
 
WE OUGHT ALSO TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER
 
Salvation and sacrificial love are intricately linked. If we do not love, we abide in death. Because we love, we know we have salvation. John clarified, 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. 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 [sacrificially] in word, neither in tongue; but in deed [doing, labour, work] and in truth [at the time and place of need] (1 John 3:14-18). Through His atoning death on the cross, Jesus Christ set the standard for sacrificial love: Herein is love [agape, i. e., affection, benevolence, charity, love feast, sacrificial love], not that we loved [agapao, love in a social and moral sense, sacrificially] God, but that he loved [agapao, love in a social and moral sense, sacrificially] us, and sent [because of His sacrificial love for the lost] his Son to be the propitiation [atonement, 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). Believers in Christ should not only have a sacrificial love of God and man, but should continue in that love, all the while expecting the salvation that is their eternal reward. Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, encourages us to Keep yourselves in the love [agape., i.e., social, moral, sacrificial love] of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life (Jude 1:21). Paul wrote Timothy, Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love [agapao, love in a social and moral sense, sacrificially] his appearing (2Ti 4:8). Scriptures encourage us that blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love [agapao, love in a social and moral sense, sacrificially] him (James 1:12). But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him (1Co 2:9). Paul summarized his thoughts on sacrificial love when he wrote Corinthian believers, Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity [agape, i. e., affection, benevolence, charity, love feast, sacrificial love] 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, I am nothing. 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. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth 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 [agape, i. e., affection, benevolence, charity, love feast, sacrificial love] (1Cor 13:1-13). Believers should love sacrificially without hypocrisy, and abhor that which is evil, as well as cleave to that which is good. We should be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love, in honour preferring one another (Rom 12:9-10). In comparing the love of a husband for his wife to the love of Christ and His church, Paul instructed Ephesian believers let every one of you in particular so love [agapao, i.e., social, moral, and sacrificial love] his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband (Eph 5:33). Paul also instructed the holy and beloved elect in Colossae, 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 [ agape, i. e., affection, benevolence, charity, love feast, sacrificial love], which is the bond [uniting principle] of perfectness [mental and moral completeness, fullness] (Col 3:12-14). Hatred stirreth up strifes; but love covereth all sins (Pro 10:12).God rewards those who obediently love and serve Him with all their heart and soul. Listen to what He told Israel, and us: And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul, That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil. And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full. Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them; And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you. Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. And thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates: Thatyour days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land which the LORD sware unto your fathers to give them, as the days of heaven upon the earth. For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him (Deu 11:13-22). If we have Christ, we have the Spirit of Christ, and if we have the Spirit of Christ, we have sacrificial love; for ...the fruit [result] of the [presence and operation of the Holy] Spirit is love [agape; i.e., affection, benevolence, love feast, charity, sacrificial love], joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law [no need for any requirements of the law] (Gal 5:22-23).
 
Both the apostle John and Jesus Christ summarized well God the Father's commandment to love. 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). Christ said, This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.  AMEN.


 
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THE CHRISTIAN  HERALD
                    A Judeo-Christian Bible Study
 
"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith
(Galatians 6:7-10).
 
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart
from evil"
(Proverbs 3:5-7).


 
A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday”
(Psalms 37:1-6).