Explain Christian Concepts Of Love
Explain Christian concepts of love
The idea of Christian love as presented in the Bible is mainly based upon the concept of agape love. Agape is the epitome of Christian love. It is an unconditional love for others which expects nothing in return, it is both a chosen and committed love. This concept appears in the Bible when Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). This shows us that agape love is the unconditional and abundant love of God.
Christian love differs from the modern definition in that it is not described as a feeling, instead Christian love is not a feeling but instead a choice you make to treat others as you would want to be treated. Would you want someone to murder you or to murder someone you love? No, so when Jesus says, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12) what he means is that we must love our neighbour even if we do not know or like them.
Agape is the type of love that all Christians are called to manifest in their lives through charity or acts of goodwill. This rule in particular is that “'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law" (Romans 13:8-10).
Since God is love, agape is seen as God’s divine love made visible in our good deeds and charitable service. It is a spiritual love that grows in our lives by the grace of God. Our love of God and each other requires a radical commitment, for God‘s holy image is precious beyond understanding. This is illustrated in the Bible when love is described as “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2)
Love requires a mature character, seeking repentance of sin, turning from being self-centred, and focusing on an identity of being made in the image of
The idea of Christian love as presented in the Bible is mainly based upon the concept of agape love. Agape is the epitome of Christian love. It is an unconditional love for others which expects nothing in return, it is both a chosen and committed love. This concept appears in the Bible when Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35). This shows us that agape love is the unconditional and abundant love of God.
Christian love differs from the modern definition in that it is not described as a feeling, instead Christian love is not a feeling but instead a choice you make to treat others as you would want to be treated. Would you want someone to murder you or to murder someone you love? No, so when Jesus says, “So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you” (Matthew 7:12) what he means is that we must love our neighbour even if we do not know or like them.
Agape is the type of love that all Christians are called to manifest in their lives through charity or acts of goodwill. This rule in particular is that “'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law" (Romans 13:8-10).
Since God is love, agape is seen as God’s divine love made visible in our good deeds and charitable service. It is a spiritual love that grows in our lives by the grace of God. Our love of God and each other requires a radical commitment, for God‘s holy image is precious beyond understanding. This is illustrated in the Bible when love is described as “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2)
Love requires a mature character, seeking repentance of sin, turning from being self-centred, and focusing on an identity of being made in the image of