Let us continue with selected scriptures from the Holy Bible that address various aspects of “Love.” Not only should we love God, our neighbors, and one another, but the Lord Jesus also taught us to love our enemies and to pray for those who mistreat us.
Love thy enemy
Luke 6:35
“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.”
Matthew 5:44–45
“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 makes His Sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
Next, we are pleased to present passages that will help us understand the true meaning of love.
Romans 12:9–10
“Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another…”
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Charity suffers long, and is kind; charity envies not; charity boasts not itself, is not puffed up, Does not behave itself unseemly, seeks not her own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; Rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; Bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”
Ephesians 5:1-2
“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 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 savor.”
Lord Jesus also stated that having love for God, although we may not see Hirm is a means of strengthening our faith in Hirm.
Love through faith
1 Peter 1:8–9
“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”
Romans 5:2–5
“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 works patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope makes not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.”
Finally, we would like to share some passages which detail that God’s Love is with us eternally and can lead us to salvation.
Romans 8:39
“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.”
2 Corinthians 13:11
“Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.”
Titus 3:4–7
“But after that, the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, 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; Which He shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior; That being justified by His grace, we should be made Heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Love one another through forgiveness
Colossians 3:12-15
“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, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”
