Love in the Church

If we would obey the second greatest command, to “love thy neighbour as thyself,” we must love those within our family circles. “Love begins at home.” But it does not stop there. The New Testament unfolds the truth about Christ's church and emphasizes repeatedly that we are to “love one another.” Christ has given a hostile, skeptical world the right to judge our Christian profession solely on the basis of an observable love that we have one for another.

The children of God – though imperfect – are the special objects of Christ's love (John 13:1; Eph. 5:25). When the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts, we will love God's children too (1 John 3:17). Love is a principle in action. “Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” Let's not wait for an emotion. Let's practice holy deeds of love.