Topical Bible: Love to Man: The Church

◄ Love to Man: The Church ►

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The concept of love within the Christian Church is deeply rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ and the apostolic writings of the New Testament. Love, as a fundamental characteristic of the Church, is both a commandment and a manifestation of the divine nature imparted to believers.

Biblical Foundation

The New Testament provides a clear mandate for love among believers. Jesus Christ, in His teachings, emphasized love as the greatest commandment. In Matthew 22:37-39 , Jesus states, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” This commandment forms the basis for the Church's expression of love towards others.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this in his epistles. In Romans 13:8 , he writes, “Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.” Here, love is presented as a perpetual obligation, a debt that is never fully paid, underscoring its centrality in Christian life.

The Church as a Community of Love

The early Church is depicted as a community characterized by love and mutual care. Acts 2:44-47 describes the believers as having “all things in common” and selling their possessions to distribute to anyone in need. This communal lifestyle was a practical expression of love and unity, reflecting the teachings of Christ.

The Apostle John, known as the Apostle of Love, emphasizes the importance of love within the Church. In 1 John 4:7-8 , he writes, “Beloved, let us love one another, because 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 passage highlights that love is not only a command but also an evidence of one's relationship with God.

Love as a Witness to the World

The love demonstrated within the Church serves as a powerful witness to the world. Jesus, in John 13:34-35 , 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.” The love among believers is intended to be a testimony of the transformative power of the Gospel.

Practical Expressions of Love

The New Testament provides numerous examples of how love should be practically expressed within the Church. In Galatians 6:10 , Paul exhorts believers, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to the family of faith.” This call to action emphasizes the priority of caring for fellow believers while also extending love to all.

Moreover, love within the Church is to be sincere and without hypocrisy. Romans 12:9-10 instructs, “Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.” This passage underscores the importance of genuine affection and respect among members of the Church.

Challenges and Exhortations

Despite the ideal of love, the New Testament acknowledges the challenges faced by the Church in maintaining this standard. The letters to the churches in Revelation highlight issues such as losing one's first love (Revelation 2:4) and the need for repentance and renewal. These exhortations serve as reminders of the ongoing need for vigilance and commitment to the command of love.

In summary, love to man within the context of the Church is a divine command, a reflection of God's nature, and a testimony to the world. It is both a spiritual obligation and a practical expression of faith, central to the life and witness of the Christian community.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 2:46
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Hebrews 10:33,34
Partly, whilst you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst you became companions of them that were so used.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Christian Church
... The mission of the Christian Church is to strengthen the ... the better impulses and
finer feelings in man, and to ... society on a firmer footing in love, purity and ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study ix the christian church.htm

The Church and the Young Man.
... The ten thousand appliances of vice, confronting the church with brazen ... call to us,
deal gently with the young man. ... you read full easily in your love for your ...
/.../vincent/amusement a force in christian training/the church and the young.htm

"The Fruit of the Spirit is Love"
... not teach any man to love unless the power of the Holy Spirit should come upon him
to bring the love of Heaven into his heart. Think of the church at large. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/the fruit of the spirit.htm

Doctor Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences
... the sake of miserable money with which to build a Church? ... the pope, that for money
they allow a man who is ... beloved soul's own need, free it for pure love's sake ...
/.../luther/martin luthers 95 theses/disputation of doctor martin luther.htm

The Christian's Fellow Man
... So long as the Church recognizes its duty to preach and practice the love of God
to man, man to God, and man to his fellow man, no institution can take its ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study iv the christians fellow.htm

Gordon -- Man in the Image of God
... When we come to the summit of man the likeness ... no priest, no Bible, no sacrament
of love between itself ... The tower of this church tells at once, and from afar ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume 10/gordon man in the.htm

Love, the Motive Power for Service.
... If the Church had not been Divine it would have ... tin horn Sabbath after Sabbath as
go on preaching without love. A man may preach the truth; he may be perfectly ...
/.../moody/to the work to the work/chapter ii love the motive.htm

The Timeliness of Prayer
... Neither for the individual nor for the Church is true prayer an enclave in life's ...
being the case that love to God has no sphere outside love to man that our ...
/.../forsyth/the soul of prayer/chapter iv the timeliness of.htm

Wesley -- God's Love to Fallen Man
... GOD'S LOVE TO FALLEN MAN ... He was educated at Charterhouse school and in 1720 entered
Christ Church College, Oxford, where he graduated in 1724. ...
/.../kleiser/the worlds great sermons volume 3/wesley gods love to.htm

"That those Grievously Sin who Despise or Neglect God's Gracious ...
... nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him." [958] O surpassing love for man! ... For this
is the first-born Church, composed of many good children; these are "the ...
/.../clement/exhortation to the heathen/chapter ix that those grievously sin.htm