Articles
Love Is What It's All About
Just as important as speaking where the Bible speaks is placing emphasis where the Bible places it. With that being said, the Bible places the greatest emphasis on love!
Jesus says the commandments to love God and our neighbor are the greatest of them all (Mat 22:37-40). Paul says that love does no wrong to a neighbor and is the fulfillment of God’s Law (Rom 13:10). Peter identifies love as the highest of the Christian graces (2Pe 1:5-7). Paul says that love is the greatest of qualities (1Co 13:13). Paul says that love binds our other virtues together in perfect harmony (Col 3:14). John says we don’t know God if we don’t love, because God is love (1Jo 4:7,8). John says we can’t love God if we don’t love each other (1Jo 4:20,21). Jesus says our love for each other shows the world we are truly his disciples (Joh 13:35). Paul says that no matter what else we have or do, if we lack love, we are nothing and we gain nothing (1Co 13:1-3).
Love is our aim, but Paul warns that we can lose our focus and get distracted by vain things. “The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion.” (1Ti 1:5-6) Paul warns us not to make self (2Ti 3:2), money (2Ti 3:2), and pleasures (2Ti 3:4) our great loves.
Paul even warns us not to emphasize knowledge over love. Paul says that “knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.” (1Co 8:1)
Let’s place our great emphasis where God clearly places his. Let’s change whatever we need to change to make loving God and each other the great focus of our lives. Let’s obey God, remembering that obeying God is how we love. "If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (Joh 14:15) -Paul
