Topical Bible: Love to Man: should be Exhibited, Toward: Saints

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Love, as a central tenet of Christian doctrine, is not only a divine attribute but also a commandment for believers to practice toward one another, especially within the community of faith. The love that Christians are called to exhibit toward the saints—fellow believers—is a reflection of the love that God has shown to humanity through Jesus Christ. This love is characterized by selflessness, sacrifice, and a commitment to the well-being of others.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides numerous exhortations and examples of love among the saints. In John 13:34-35, Jesus commands His disciples, "A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you also must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another." This directive underscores the importance of love as a distinguishing mark of Christian discipleship.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this theme in his epistles. In Romans 12:10, he writes, "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another." Here, Paul emphasizes the need for genuine affection and honor among believers, suggesting that love should be both sincere and competitive in its expression.

Characteristics of Love Toward Saints

1. Sacrificial: Love among the saints is to be sacrificial, mirroring the love of Christ. In 1 John 3:16, it is stated, "By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." This sacrificial love calls believers to prioritize the needs of others, even at personal cost.

2. Unifying: Love serves as a bond of unity within the body of Christ. Colossians 3:14 instructs, "And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity." Love fosters harmony and peace, enabling the church to function as a cohesive unit.

3. Edifying: The love exhibited toward fellow believers should build them up in faith. Ephesians 4:15-16 encourages believers to "speak the truth in love" so that the body of Christ may grow and be strengthened. Love is not merely an emotion but an active force that contributes to spiritual growth and maturity.

4. Forgiving: Love among the saints is marked by forgiveness. In Ephesians 4:32, Paul exhorts, "Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you." Forgiveness is a vital expression of love, reflecting the grace that believers have received from God.

Practical Expressions

The love that believers are called to exhibit toward one another can be expressed in various practical ways:

· Hospitality: Opening one's home and resources to fellow believers is a tangible expression of love. Romans 12:13 encourages believers to "share with the saints who are in need. Practice hospitality."

· Encouragement: Offering words of encouragement and support is a vital aspect of loving the saints. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges believers to "consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together... but encouraging one another."

· Prayer: Interceding for fellow believers in prayer is a profound act of love. James 5:16 states, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."

· Service: Acts of service, whether through meeting physical needs or offering spiritual support, demonstrate love in action. Galatians 5:13 reminds believers, "Serve one another humbly in love."

In summary, love toward the saints is a fundamental aspect of Christian life, deeply rooted in the teachings of Scripture. It is a love that is active, sacrificial, and reflective of the love of Christ, serving as a powerful testimony to the world of the transformative power of the Gospel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 2:17
Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 John 5:1
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loves him that begat loves him also that is begotten of him.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Work of Grace a Unit.
... they contain as in a germ, yet it should not be ... Hence in the constraining desire
of divine love for the individual ... But as "no man cometh to the Father but by Me ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/ii the work of grace.htm

Philippians iv. 14-Oct
... faithful were then in affliction, his love was great. ... And the poor man was similarly
disposed toward the ... if captives taken from divers cities should arise and ...
/.../homily xv philippians iv 14-oct.htm

Attributes of Love.
... necessary to make confession of all their secret sins to man. ... all to whom benevolence
demands that they should confess ... Self-denial is another attribute of love. ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture xv attributes of love.htm

Christian Sympathy
... If any man shall think that we are not "born for the universe" and should narrow
our souls, I can only say that I ... The man who is devoid of love will be ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 8 1863/christian sympathy.htm

Do are Then Make Void the Law through Faith? God Forbid; Yea, we ...
... as offended, indeed, but yet so anxious they should return to ... is for his heart to
go out in disinterested love. Suppose a man was under sentence of death for ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/do are then make void.htm

Christian Devotedness, Etc.
... which these last ages have exhibited, it would ... absolutely to say that every man should
become a ... Again, consider the important command, "Love thy neighbour as ...
/.../groves/christian devotedness/christian devotedness etc.htm

Ephesians i. 2-Jan
... and rendered it an object of His delight and love. ... He hath given in abundance riches
not of man but of ... all hands it is impossible that they should be expressed ...
/.../homily i ephesians i 2-jan.htm

Covenanting a Privilege of Believers.
... and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth ... I drawn
thee."[659] "I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love."[660] Hence ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter x covenanting a privilege.htm

The Number of those who Fought for Religion in Gaul under Verus ...
... was well known to all on account of his love to God ... has, he replied, God has not
a name as man has ... guarding them by night and day, lest any one should be buried ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter i the number of those.htm

Sebastian Franck: an Apostle of Inward Religion
... practice, that a minister of the Gospel should resign his ... create the faith, the desire,
the love, the will ... paper, and letters""can make a man good, since ...
/.../chapter iv sebastian franck an.htm