There is no denying that we are living in rough times and it seems like no matter where we look someone is being attacked, bullied, or even killed. People of all creeds and belief systems are being persecuted around the world.
If there is one thing we could use a little more in this world of is Love. So what exactly has God got to say about loving others? Here are 4 instances in which scripture encourages us to love others a lot more.
1. Luke 6:35
"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil."
In this verse, Luke is reminding us that it is important to love those we are not particularly fond of, those we don't agree with, and those who have wronged us in any sort of way. A few verses back he makes the point that there isn't really anything special about showing love to those you already love. Even nonbelievers do that. But as people called to be set apart what are we doing to stand in the love department?
2. Mark 12:31
"The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."
Here Jesus has been asked what is the greatest commandment. He answers that the first is to love God, who is one, and he should be loved with all our heart, soul mind, and strength. and directly following that is loving our neighbors. He didn't just mean those who live around us but everyone we come in contact throughout our life. Not only should we love them but love them as we love ourselves. That means looking out for them and treating them like we would like to be treated [that is; with respect, love, and appreciation]
3. Romans 13: 8-10
"Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,' and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."
In this case, Paul is dealing with something that was extremely important to the jews and believers of the early church and is also of great importance to us today; Fulfilling the law. Paul mentions that every single commandment is fulfilled in loving those around us. That is because the Gospel of Christ is centered around love. God loved us so much that he sacrificed his only son for us and as believers who strive to be like him every single day we must learn to love as strongly as he does.
4. 1 Peter 4:8
"Above all, Keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sin."
1 Peter 4: 1-11 deals with being the stewards of God's grace. Peter reminds us in these verses to act differently from the unsaved world. That because we have received salvation we must act like we are saved [meaning; act like christ would and has told you to.] and if we do so those that surround us will notice that we are set apart. Peter commands us to be self-controlled and sober-minded. And to stay away from sin. But especially to keep loving each other. why? Because it will keep us from sinning. Many sins are committed in hatred, coveting, stealing, harm to others is usually brought by hatred towards others and thus if we truly learn to love those around us we will be kept from committing sins done in hatred.
There are many more instances regarding love and loving one another in the bible. That is because the bible and the gospel are love fueled. we must remember in times like the ones we live in that we, as Christians, must keep giving love towards others. Even when they don't offer it back, even when we think they don't deserve it, even when it is the last thing we want to do.
