“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)
The word “love” occurs many times in the Scriptures, and is of great significance in the purpose of God, and the relationship of God with man, and the relationship of men with one another.
Divine love must have implicit trust, devotion without thought of itself, and an ever ready desire to make a full surrender to the will of God; it can be noted in a person by their Christlike character. Spiritual love is the highest spiritual quality, and very different from the worldly, selfish, so-called “love” that seeks self-gratification.
“Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another.” (Romans 12:10)
“And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.” (Ephesians 5:2)
“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” (Colossians 3:14)
“But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another.” (1 Thessalonians 4:9)
“Let brotherly love continue.” (Hebrews 13:1)
“Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.” (1 Peter 1:22)
“And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8)
“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 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 3:14-19)
Hear Now These Words 