Over the past few weeks, we have examined the Bible's teaching about the love it demands as the foundation of an acceptable life. We have seen both the nature of this love and the effect it has upon our actions towards God and our families. But the effect of biblical love does not stop at that point, excluding all other relationships. When we understand the nature of the love God commands, we see the necessity of love's presence in every aspect of our lives. If we intend to please God, we must be motivated to proper action by love. However, we are also caused to understand the true nature of our obligation regarding our fellow-man.
The love which God expects us to show towards others is not a hollow, emotional high for the moment which ends without any action verifying its presence. It is not merely a feeling that puts us into a euphoric state. In fact, this love may not even involve our immediate gratification at all. Biblical love is evidenced by that which we do to benefit our neighbor.
But who is the one to whom I owe this obligation? Jesus answered this question plainly to a lawyer that asked who the "neighbor" was in God's command to "love your neighbor as yourself."
Jesus related the well known story of a man beaten and robbed along the road between Jerusalem and Jericho. Three men passed by and saw him in this injured condition. Evidently, none of them knew the victim. One was a priest who went on without giving the injured man any assistance. The second was a Levite who likewise failed to stop and render aid. The third man, however, not only helped him at the scene, but took him to a place of recovery and left money to provide for continued help. Jesus asked the lawyer, "So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" The lawyer understood the point and responded, "He who showed mercy on him." Jesus acknowledged his correct answer saying, "Go and do likewise" (Lk. 10:25-37).
Not only did Jesus teach that we have an obligation to lovingly serve one in need whom we may not know, He also plainly says we are to love those we do know who have shown no love towards us. In the sermon on the mount, our Lord put it this way:
You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust (Matt. 5:43-45).
Clearly, the principle stated by our Lord makes it clear that we have an obligation that extends beyond the boundaries of friendship. Yet, lest one miss the point stated in principle, Jesus then made this application:
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect (Matt. 5:46-48).
Paul expressed the same principle by teaching Christians who would be persecuted and ultimately killed by their enemies, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Rom. 12:21). The teaching of God's word is clear - we are to lovingly seek the welfare even of those who desire to harm us. God demands it!
While we were enemies of Christ, practicing sin which was a personal insult unto Him, He died upon the cross that we might be saved (Rom. 5:6-8). No one on the earth has been more abused by an enemy than was Christ by our actions of sin. What did He do? Did He plot our demise? Did He seek revenge? No, He sacrificed Himself to benefit us. When we look at Christ, we see the ultimate example of love. Through His love, He calls us to be ashamed of our selfish actions and come to love Him. Let us seek to be more and more like Him!
It is that attitude which is urged in these words:
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he thirsts, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head (Rom. 12:17-20).
Such a love will banish from our lives the petty squabbles which sometimes cause division and alienation. Such love will change a heart bitter towards another because of perceived wrongs suffered and seek to establish a reconciliation based on the positive force of biblical love. Such a love will concentrate on giving rather than getting. Such a love will stop words of gossip or wrath before they leave our lips and replace them with edification and exhortation. Such a love will act to achieve that which is best for the cause of Christ and its advancement, rather than what best satisfies our selfish desires.
Do we truly love our fellow-man as Christ loved mankind? Let us honestly put our lives to the test to see if the marks of biblical love are imprinted upon our actions in every relationship. The reason for such an examination of self is obvious when we understand that our soul depends upon it. Remember what the apostle John said:
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.... If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also (1 Jn. 4:7-12, 20-21).
Love will make a difference in our relationships, whether with brethren in Christ or those in the world. Is it evident in our efforts to edify and evangelize?