What Does Christian Love Look Like?

These things I command you, that you love one another (John 15:17).

What is Christian love supposed to look like? Jesus commanded His disciples to love one another. He repeated that command several times because He knew how difficult it would be given our life in sinful flesh. But as stated earlier, it was necessary to repeat the command because of the opposition and persecution they would face as they went out into the world as His Apostles. How is love for one another to be fleshed out in the fellowship of the saints?

Romans 12:10-13, Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.

Ephesians 4:1-3, I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:31-32, Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. 

Colossians 3:12-17, Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 

1 Peter 1:22, Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart. . . .

1 Peter 4:9-10, Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 

Living in a fallen world necessitates us to band together as Christians to support and encourage one another, to work together to minister to one another, and to bring the Gospel of Jesus to those who need to hear it.  Amen.

Pastor