essay about jesus love

12 Characteristics Of Jesus’ Love {Absent In Human Love.}

In this post, you will find out the 12 major characteristics of Jesus’ Love that makes it different from self-centered human love that only thinks of itself.

Jesus’ love as outlined in both the Old Testament and the New Testament is the only true love you will ever need on earth as only Jesus Christ truly loves you selflessly unlike humans who can only love you for their selfish reasons.

Without wasting much of your precious time, let’s look at the 12 major characteristics of Jesus’ Love based on righteousness and selflessness that you will never find in human love.

12 Attributes Of Jesus’s Unconditional Love.

Below are the 12 attributes of Jesus’ unconditional love, the only kind of love that can satisfy our human soul, which no amount of human love can.

• Unconditional.
• Seeks To Serve.
• Brings Redemption.
• Sacrificial.
• It’s Patient.
• Leads To The Truth.
• Full Of Grace.

1. Unconditional.

One of the major characteristics of Jesus’s love that makes it different from human love is it’s unconditional and doesn’t depend on what you do for Him.

Implying that Jesus Loves you not for what you can do for Him but He loves you as it’s His nature to do so. Contrast that to human love, you will find that the latter only loves if you have something to benefit it.

Love is Jesus’s inherent character that isn’t dependent on how lovable or unlovable we are and this is how we must love others as well.

2. Selfless .

Unlike human love which is selfish and self-centered, the love Christ has for us is selfless and doesn’t seek its own selfish interests as 1 Corinthians 13:4 tells us.

This means that Jesus Christ doesn’t love us because of what He can get from us but He loves us even when we have nothing to offer to Him which is why He died for our sins even when we didn’t deserve His love.

A person with the selfless love of Christ-Jesus will selflessly love you with the selfless unconditional love Christ expects of us without expecting anything in return. Loving others is just so much easier if God’s love is in you.

3. Seeks To Serve.

Another attribute you will notice that the love of Christ has is that it seeks to serve rather than be served. It’s why Jesus Christ tells us in Matthews 20:28 that He came to serve and not to be served.

In like manner, if Christ’s love is reigning supreme in your heart, you will desire to serve others selflessly rather than being served. Jesus’ love is the definition of true love as it’s the only love that is selfless.

This is the love mission in many relationships explaining why many of them are ending in breakups as everyone is all about themselves and what they can get from the other person rather than what they can give.

Related:  17 (Must-Have) Characteristics Of True Love That’s Of God.

4. Brings Redemption.

The love Christ has for us while were yet sinners as Romans 5:8 tells us is the reason why we can be saved today from sin, and the horrible consequences it brings upon a sinner. Jesus’s love is the reason why we can have salvation and eternal life today.

We can be redeemed from sin because of Jesus’s love that made Him die for our sins. If our Lord Jesus Christ never truly loved us, He wouldn’t have died for our sins on the cross and would have let us perish without hope.

Since that isn’t the case, any sinner today regardless of their sinful condition can be saved today from sin and experience Christ’s true unconditional love that’s undeserved.

5. Unmerited.

Another characteristic of Jesus’ love is that it is unmerited. Implying that we can’t earn God’s love based on how good we are or our good works as they can never be enough to repay The love He has for us.

Moreover, God still loves us anyway because he chose to send his Son to die for our sins on the cross (Galatians 2:20) even when He knew we might never love Him back which sadly is the case with many people today who reject God’s love.

6. Sacrificial.

The genuine love of Christ Jesus that differentiates it from self-centered human love is that it’s sacrificial which explains why He sacrificially died for our sins costing Him His dear life.

A person who loves you with the genuine sacrificial love Christ commanded His disciples in John 13:34 and every one of us is they will sacrifice for you rather than just claim they love you without proving it with their actions.

Implying that if you truly love a person sacrificially with the love of Christ, especially in marriage, you will be willing to sacrificially serve and love the person the way they need to be loved not the way you think they must be loved.

Related:  5 Signs Of Agape Love In A Relationship (Based On Christ).

7. It’s Patient.

Jesus’s love is also patient implying that it never gives up when things get hard and patiently endures all things. A person with this kind of genuine love that is selfless won’t give up on you when things are hard.

Sadly, this isn’t the love we are seeing in many relationships and marriages today which explains why many of them end up in breakups as many people aren’t willing to be patient and forbear with the other person.

People nowadays, easily give up on each other for the silliest and pettiest reasons, hiccups, and misunderstandings. But, if God’s love is reigning in your life, you will be patient and long-suffering with your partner and not easily give up on them because things are hard.

Another vital attribute of the love of Christ Jesus is it heals. Implying that His love can heal your broken heart that has been broken by sin or betrayal from other people.

You need to remember that only God’s divine love can heal your broken soul and no amount of human love you seek from others will ever heal you.

So, if you are a broken sinner who needs to be healed from the brokenness sin has brought upon your life, just come to Christ and give your life to Him and He will heal and make you whole today.

The other characteristic of the love of Chris Jesus is that it’s kind and not cruel or rude. Implying that if God’s love is in your life, you will be kind and compassionate to others.

A person with the love of Jesus Christ in them will show kindness and compassion to others. There is enough hate in this world, so, let your love and kindness be the beacon of light to others in this dark world of hate we live in.

10. Leads To The Truth.

Jesus’ love also leads to the truth, which means that Jesus will never lead you astray as His love isn’t built on lies, deceit, and falsehood, unlike human love which is deceitful.

Jesus in His love will lead you to the truth, which is why He said in John 14:6 that He’s the way, the truth, and the life none can enter heaven or come to the Father except by Him.

Therefore, if you are seeking the truth, Jesus Christ is the truth you have been looking for all this time who will make you understand what true love and compassion are all about.

11. Full Of Grace.

Grace in addition to kindness and compassion is another defining characteristic of the love of Christ Jesus. Being full of grace, it’s the reason why any sinner can be saved today as grace is unmerited, not something we earn by our good deeds.

Since God’s love is based on grace, it’s something we don’t earn by our good works or something we deserve as we are all sinners by birth who don’t deserve His love by default.

This is why there is no greater love than God’s love that can show grace even to the worst undeserving sinner who’s unlovable by human standards.

Related:  63 God’s Grace Quotes To Uplift Your Spirit (+ Sermon).

12. Perfect.

Last but not least, Jesus’ love is also perfect. Implying that it’s complete and without flaws. 1 John 4:18 talks about the perfect love that casts out all fear and this is the love Jesu has.

If this love of Christ is in you, fear will not be in your life and you will not be afraid to love others just because you fear they might hurt you. Where there is true love, there is no fear.

This is the true divine love you need to strive for in your Christian living as a true believer, which is perfect, and without blemish.

Conclusion.

The above 12 characteristics of Jesus’ love are among many that are out there that summarize what His love is all about that you won’t find in human love.

My prayer is after reading this that this same selfless love of Christ Jesus the apostle Paul talked about in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 be in your life.

In closing, if this post has helped you appreciate God’s love more, drop a comment below, and don’t forget to share before you leave. God bless.

Other Similar Posts.

• 12 Characteristics Of God’s Grace That Brings Salvation.
• 10 Characteristics Of God’s Mercy {That Make It Special.}
• 12 Signs And Symbols Of God’s Love That’s Divine .

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Religious Educator Vol. 21 No. 3 · 2020

Feeling god’s love, lindon j. robison.

Lindon J. Robison, "Feeling God's Love," Religious Educator 21, no. 3 (2020): 175–84.

Lindon J. Robison ( [email protected] )  was a professor of agricultural and food resource economics at Michigan State University when this was published and a former seminary and institute instructor.

“Where Love Is, There God Is Also”

—Leo Tolstoy

Some of my family and friends have separated themselves from the gospel. Their reasons vary. However, they often share a common concern: if God loves all his children, all the time, everywhere, and no matter what—why can’t I feel it? In response to this question, I wrote this essay. In doing so, I found President Russell M. Nelson’s conference talk on divine love to be an important resource. President Nelson states that “while divine love can be called perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal, it cannot correctly be characterized as unconditional .” [1] In grappling with the concept of conditional love and hoping to comfort loved ones who struggle to feel God’s love, I suggest that the reason we cannot feel God’s love is not because he loves us less but because we cannot access it.

The focus of what follows describes the nature of God’s love and how we can feel it more. I begin by distinguishing between God’s love—which is perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal—and how we experience his love—which is conditional. Then I point out that we sometimes mistakenly associate the evidence of God’s love with our material conditions and experiences when the evidence that God loves us all—everywhere, all the time, no matter what—is the Atonement of Jesus Christ. This essay also addresses how obedience and repentance can increase our access to God’s love, how to feel God’s love even and especially during hard times, the price we must pay to experience divine love, and the single requirement for feeling God’s love—loving others.

Defining Divine Love

What is divine love, and what distinguishes it from other kinds of love (namely, parental love, friendship, or romantic love)? [2] Sympathy , [3] empathy , [4] and compassion [5] are all Topical Guide synonyms for love . Combined, they define our love for others as the state or condition of having internalized their well-being. This definition of love implies that there are as many kinds of love as there are loving relationships. Adam Smith wrote, “Every man feels his own pleasures and his own pains more sensibly than those of other people. . . . After himself, the members of his own family, those who usually live in the same house with him, his parents, his children, his brothers and sisters, are naturally the objects of his warmest affection.” [6] Of the different kinds of love, divine love, the state or condition in which God has internalized our well-being, is the highest form of love because it is perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal.

The scriptures teach that to internalize another’s well-being requires that we somehow dwell in that person: “God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him” (1 John 4:16). One important consequence of love—of dwelling in each other—is that their success, happiness, and sufferings become our own. [7] Indeed, God’s divine love means that his work and glory is our progress toward achieving immortality and eternal life (see Moses 1:39).

Examples of Dwelling in Each Other

Adam and Eve internalized each other’s well-being, leading Adam to exult, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. . . . Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh” (Genesis 2:23–24). The Apostle Paul characterized the Saints in his day as dwelling in each other by comparing them to members of the same body. As members of the same body, each member cared for the other so that “whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it” (1 Corinthians 12:26). The sons of Mosiah loved those beyond the borders of their families and members of their faith to include the Lamanites, their enemies: “They could not bear that any human soul should perish; yea, even the very thoughts that any soul should endure endless torment did cause them to quake and tremble” (Mosiah 28:3; see also Alma 26:33).

Dimensions of Divine Love

There is a difference between God’s ways and our ways—between God’s divine love and our love. Jesus taught his twelve Apostles: “A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34). Loving others is certainly not a new commandment. However, loving others “as I have loved you” certainly is. [8] Keeping this new commandment requires us to distinguish between our love and divine love expressed and exemplified in the Savior Jesus Christ. Consider the four dimensions President Nelson used to describe God’s love. [9]

Divine love is perfect. Perfect can be defined as free from fault or complete (see Matthew 5:48). Perfect love is pure and unstained by selfishness. Lehi reflected this quality of love when he declared, “I have none other object save it be the everlasting welfare of your souls” (2 Nephi 2:30). Perfect love is manifest in all our senses. It enlightens our mind and enables us to confound the wise (see Doctrine and Covenants 6:15; and 1 Corinthians 1:27). It is delicious (see Alma 32:28). It frees us from fear (see 1 John 4:18). It strengthens us beyond our natural abilities (see 1 Nephi 7:17–18).

Divine love is infinite. Infinite implies limitless or endless in space, extent, or size. God’s infinite love was manifest by his infinite atoning sacrifice that, like his love, is infinite. As a result, there is no suffering, disappointment, separation, or pain that God cannot understand and heal (see Alma 7:11–12).

Divine love endures. The risen Lord taught, “For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed” (3 Nephi 22:10; quoting Isaiah 54:10). [10] Indeed, charity, or the pure love of Christ, “never faileth” (1 Corinthians 13:8). And while an earthly mother may forget her suckling child, the Lord promises, “yet will I not forget thee” (Isaiah 49:15).

Divine love is universal. Mormon recorded, “Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth” (Alma 26:37).

Together, these descriptions of divine love paint a comforting picture of a Father in Heaven whose love for us transcends our circumstances and even our bad choices, a love that has power to reach out after us and save us—whether in life or in death.

Christ’s Atonement: The Expression of God’s Love

The greatest example of love was the Atonement of Jesus Christ. “Greater love hath no man” than he who “lay[s] down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). His perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal love enabled him to dwell in each of us and vicariously suffer for our sins and mistakes and to rejoice with us when we draw near to him (see 3 Nephi 17:20). Indeed, his atoning sacrifice can be described as perfect and pure, [11] infinite, [12] enduring (see Isaiah 49:15), and universal. [13] Our response to his perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal sacrifice should be, “I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me.” [14]

Some separate themselves from God’s love because they see the uneven distribution of life’s privileges that appear unrelated to individual choices and blame God for the inequities. From their observations, they conclude that either God has favorites or God doesn’t exist. Either conclusion is false and distances us from his love. One’s share of wealth, power, education, and freedom do not measure God’s love. Otherwise, we would conclude that the wealthy are more righteous, the powerful are God’s chosen, and the educated and free are God’s beloved. The scriptures teach otherwise.

Mary taught that the Lord “hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away” (Luke 1:51–53).

The world is a very unfair place without the Atonement. But in the Atonement, we find the one sure egalitarian measure of God’s love. He suffered and offered salvation for each of us—all of us—equally. Nephi taught: “Behold, hath the Lord commanded any that they should not partake of his goodness? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but all men are privileged the one like unto the other, and none are forbidden. . . . He inviteth them all to come unto him and partake of his goodness; and he denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile” (2 Nephi 26:28, 33). Truly, God is no respecter of persons.

Experiencing Divine Love through Obedience and Repentance

Some of what we experience is related to our choices. President Nelson taught, “The full flower of divine love and our greatest blessings from that love are conditional—predicated upon our obedience to eternal law.” [15] Nephi likewise explained: “Behold, the Lord esteemeth all flesh in one; [but] he that is righteous is favored of God” (1 Nephi 17:35).

Those conditions that increase our capacity to experience God’s love (namely, faith, repentance, baptism, and enduring obedience to his commandments) are themselves an indication of his love. Because he wants us to be like him, he allows us room to incrementally come into a fullness of his love as we try, fail, and try again. Sometimes we make poor choices and experience unhappy consequences. Yet experiencing the difficult consequences of our poor choices are evidence of God’s love because they are designed to divert us away from the path of destruction and to protect the innocent. For God “doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him” (2 Nephi 26:24). Those who choose to keep God’s commandments and continue in God receive “more light; and that light groweth brighter and brighter” (Doctrine and Covenants 50:24) until they are “glorified in truth” and know “all things” (93:28).

These scriptures teach us that the “blessings” that come from obedience have little to do with worldly wealth, power, or opportunity and more to do with our access to God dwelling within us. Elder Dallin H. Oaks taught that these blessing are accessed through obedience to divine law: “The love of God does not supersede His laws and His commandments, and the effect of God’s laws and commandments does not diminish the purpose and effect of His love.” [16]

The parable of the prodigal son emphasizes the connection between God’s love, our choices, and what we experience. The prodigal son’s father loved him, even when he withdrew from his presence and squandered his inheritance. Yet the father knew that exercising agency was required to becoming righteous. So, he let him choose. But the father continued to love his son even when he made bad choices. And when his son repented and returned, the father rushed to meet him and called for a celebration to welcome him home (see Luke 15:11–32).

Keeping God’s commandments not only increases our access to God’s love but demonstrates our own love for God and others. We begin by keeping God’s first and second great commandments to love God and others (see Matthew 22:38–39). Then, as we dwell in others and God in us, we naturally keep God’s other commandments because that is how we bless others. We don’t lie, steal, envy, murder, violate the law of chastity, or commit similar acts because we want to bless rather than burden our neighbors—because their well-being has become our own (see Exodus 20:1–17). Emphasizing that keeping the two great commandments leads naturally to keeping God’s other commandments, Jesus taught, “On these two commandments [to love God and others] hang all the laws and the prophets” (Matthew 22:40).

Experiencing God’s Love in Adversity

Sometimes, we may separate ourselves from God because we associate our hard times with the absence of his love. This is, again, a false conclusion. Not all of what we experience follows from our choices. Jesus taught that God “maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). King Benjamin taught that God “has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another” (Mosiah 2:21). And independent of our choices, the Resurrection is made available to all (see John 5:28–29).

Sometimes what we experience is simply the result of living in a fallen world where the agency of imperfect and evil people causes the righteous to suffer for a season—only to be later exalted on high (see Alma 14:11). Regardless of the circumstances of our lives, we can be assured that God has internalized our well-being and is dwelling within us if we are willing, including in our loneliest and darkest moments. A familiar hymn confirms the connections between hard times and divine love:

When through the deep waters I call thee to go,

The rivers of sorrow shall not o’erflow;

For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, . . .

And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress . [17]

We cannot always or even often understand why our lives’ paths lead through deep waters. However, because God’s love is perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal, we can trust that he will be with us and sanctify to us our deepest distress—even when what we are experiencing seems lacking in love. Elder James B. Martino summarized: “Our Heavenly Father, who loves us completely and perfectly, permits us to have experiences that will allow us to develop the traits and attributes we need to become more and more Christlike. Our trials come in many forms, but each will allow us to become more like the Savior as we learn to recognize the good that comes from each experience.” [18]

Experiencing God’s Love by Loving Others

The most important way we can access God’s divine love is to ask for it. The most important way we can experience God’s divine love is to love others. Divine love for others is a gift that we can ask God to bestow upon us. Mormon taught, “Pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ” (Moroni 7:48). Being filled with the love of God for others shines the same love into our lives. Then, the more we love others, the more of God’s divine love we enjoy in our own lives (see Matthew 16:25). Sometimes when we feel a lack of closeness with God, we can interpret it as an invitation to reach out in love to others. In so doing, we will enjoy God’s love in our lives in richer abundance than ever before. But how, knowing the transcendent quality of divine love, can we ever love others the way he loves us? How can we keep the new commandment to love others as God loves us?

Since divine love is a gift from God, and God is love, we can only receive this gift by receiving the Savior and his Atonement. Because of our humanness, we cannot, on our own, possess divine love. Through the Atonement, we are enabled to develop this divine love. We ask for God’s help with all the energy of our soul. Exercising our moral agency and accepting the Savior’s will by itself neither saves nor exalts us, but it does open the door for the Savior to do so. As we ask for and receive God’s divine love, our natures are changed. We grow in love as if from grace to grace. It is this change in our disposition that enables us to love others. [19] Joseph Smith described the change: “A man filled with the love of God, is not content with blessing his family alone, but ranges through the whole world anxious to bless the whole human race.” [20]

We can measure our capacity to love by comparing our love for others with the qualities of divine love. We may ask ourselves the following questions:

• What is the quality of our love for others? Can we love without asking, “What’s in it for me?” [21] In our hearts, do we desire deeply the well-being of others and feel joy when they succeed and sorrow when they fail or suffer? (see Mark 12:30; and Moroni 10:32).
• What is the depth of our love for others? Are we patient and kind even when it is inconvenient or unpopular to do so? Are we willing to serve and sacrifice when only God notices our efforts? (see Matthew 6:1).
• What is the durability of our love for others? Does our love for others falter in the face of their rudeness, demands on our resources, and character flaws? Do we forgive generously? Are we loyal friends even when circumstances and companions change? (see Matthew 5:44).
• What is the breadth of our love? Despite differences between ourselves and others, including circumstance, perspective, and choices, does our love bridge the gap? Can we include in our circle of friends even those who are different and who sometimes disappoint us (see 3 Nephi 12:44)? Do we love others more than we love winning?

Even though we will all find our love for others less than divine, we can reach out to the Savior to help us try to be better. Seeking his love can heal all wounds, including the ones between us. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf wrote: “Love is the healing balm that repairs rifts in personal and family relationships. It is the bond that unites families, communities, and nations. Love is the power that initiates friendship, tolerance, civility, and respect. It is the source that overcomes divisiveness and hate. Love is the fire that warms our lives with unparalleled joy and divine hope. Love should be our walk and our talk.” [22]

Experiencing the Price of Divine Love

Sometimes we may not feel God’s love because we are unable or unwilling to pay the price—the price of internalizing the well-being of those around us. Under these circumstances, we need to resolve to pay the price of divine love. Part of that price is to sometimes suffer in place of, sometimes because of, and sometimes vicariously with those we love. Whether by experiencing the loss of a loved one or by experiencing the painful consequences of the choices made by someone we love, our love for others often includes heartache and sacrifice.

Our natural tendency may be to go it alone: to think that we don’t need God and his commandments or, similarly, that we don’t need relationships with those around us that may bring us heartache and loss. But to be in relationships with both God and others, we must willingly pay the price of love (see Isaiah 35:10). As Sister Aileen H. Clyde explained, were we to refuse to pay the price love requires, “we would have to avoid what gives us life and hope and joy—our capacity to love deeply.” [23] We willingly pay the price of love so we may experience joy. Of the Savior, Elder Bruce C. and Marie K. Hafen wrote that the Savior’s “infinite capacity for joy is the inverse, mirror image of the depth of his capacity to bear our burdens.” [24]

Love is what truly identifies us as disciples of Christ: “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). The late Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin summarized the centrality of love in our lives when he taught: “Love is the beginning, the middle, and the end of the pathway of discipleship. It comforts, counsels, cures, and consoles. It leads us through valleys of darkness and through the veil of death. In the end, love leads us to the glory and grandeur of eternal life. . . . We are a people who love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, and minds, and we love our neighbors as ourselves. That is our signature as a people. It is like a beacon to the world, signaling whose disciples we are.” [25]

Still, we may sometimes wonder if God loves us—all the time, everywhere, and no matter what. I have sometimes felt alone and unloved even when my choices, I assumed, qualified me for something better. As Bonnie and I approached the end of our mission, I was diagnosed with cancer. Then I learned that my retirement funds were lost and that one of my family members whom we love deeply had been excommunicated. It all seemed like very deep water. Yet we trusted that God loved us and held on. Now, years later and looking back, we can see how God sustained and restored us and we sing, “I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me.” [26]

The author thanks Lana R. Bailey and Rebecca T. Robison and three anonymous reviewers for reading and commenting on this essay. However, what I owe Lana and Rebecca and the three reviewers is more than the usual thank-you. They helped me understand and write about divine love in ways that I had not imagined. So, thank you, Lana and Rebecca and reviewers, for reading and commenting on this essay—and for much, much more. The flaws that remain reflect my own lack of understanding.

[1] Russell M. Nelson, “Divine Love,” Ensign , February 2003, 20.

[2] See C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves (London: Geoffrey Bles, 1960).

[3] A relationship or an affinity between people in which those things that affect one affects the other. See Merriam-Webster , s.v. “sympathy.”

[4] The capacity to recognize and to some extent share feelings (such as sadness or happiness) that are being experienced by another. See Paul S. Bellet and Michael J. Maloney, “The Importance of Empathy as an Interviewing Skill in Medicine,” JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association 226, no. 13 (1991): 1831–32.

[5] “A feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.” Dictionary.com, s.v. “compassion.”

[6] Adam Smith, The Theory of Moral Sentiments (Philadelphia: Adam Finley, 1817), 354.

[7] See Robert A. Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1961), 363.

[8] I thank an anonymous reviewer of this essay for this insight—that the new commandment requires us to pattern our love for others after God’s divine love.

[9] Nelson, “Divine Love,” 20.

[10] Regarding this verse, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland wrote: “I love that. The hills and the mountains may disappear. The seas and oceans may dry up completely. The least likely things in the world may happen, but ‘my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed.’” Jeffrey R. Holland, Trusting Jesus (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2003), 67.

[11] Bruce R. McConkie, “The Purifying Power of Gethsemane,” Ensign , May 1985, 9.

[12] Tad R. Callister, “The Atonement of Jesus Christ,” Ensign , May 2019, 85–87.

[13] Merrill J. Bateman, “A Pattern for All,” Ensign , November 2005, 74–76.

[14] Charles H. Gabriel, “I Stand All Amazed,” Hymns (Salt Lake City: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1985), no. 193.

[15] Nelson, “Divine Love,” 25.

[16] Dallin H. Oaks, “Love and Law,” Ensign , November 2009, 26.

[17] Robert Keen, “How Firm a Foundation,” Hymns , no. 85.

[18] James B. Martino, “All Things Work Together for Good,” Ensign , May 2010, 101.

[19] Matthew O. Richardson, “‘The Pure Love of Christ’: The Divine Precept of Charity in Moroni 7,” in Living the Book of Mormon: Abiding by Its Precepts , ed. Gaye Strathearn and Charles Swift (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2007), 290–301.

[20] “History, 1838–1856, volume C-1 [2 November 1838–31 July 1842],” 1115, The Joseph Smith Papers.

[21] James E. Faust, “What’s in It for Me?,” Ensign , November 2002, 19–22.

[22] Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “The Love of God,” Ensign , November 2009, 21.

[23] Aileen H. Clyde, “‘Charity Suffereth Long,’” Ensign , November 1991, 76.

[24] Bruce C. and Marie K. Hafen, The Belonging Heart (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1994), 315.

[25] Joseph B. Wirthlin, “The Great Commandment,” Ensign , November 2007, 28–30.

[26] Charles H. Gabriel, “I Stand All Amazed,” Hymns , no. 193.

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The love of Christ – What is it?

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How to Understand and Internalize God’s Deep Love for Us

• Becky Harling Author
• Updated May 17, 2021

Though many of us grew up hearing about God’s love for us and singing songs about God’s love for us, living in the joy and security of that deep love can be a challenge. In part, this has been because the love of God is extraordinary in every way. It is incomparable in nature and unfathomable in depth.

Photo Credit: © Getty Images/Tinnakorn Jorruang / EyeEm 

What Does Scripture Teach about God’s Love for Us?

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible speaks of God’s love for us. The book of Psalms alone has many verses describing God’s love for us. The Psalmist David described God’s love with these poetic words, “Your love, LORD, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies” ( Psalm 36:4 ). He goes on to write, “How priceless is your unfailing love, O God ” ( Psalm 36:7 ). In another Psalm, David wrote, You, LORD, are forgiving and good abounding in love to all who call to you” ( Psalm 86:15 ).   Through Psalm 136 , the echoing refrain is , His love endures forever.  The prophets, psalmists, and apostles all wrote about and were enamored with the infinite love of God. Jesus , as the physical demonstration of God’s love, taught about the Father’s love often.

One of the most precious stories that Jesus told is the story of the prodigal ( Luke 15:11-31 ). This simple story paints a graphic picture of the profound love of God for us. The story is about two sons. The older is the classic rule follower. The younger the classic baby of the family who doesn’t give rules much thought. The younger asks for his inheritance early. This was unheard of in Middle Eastern family culture. As Jesus told this story He would have had the focused attention of every listener. The Father gives the younger son his inheritance and the son goes out and wastes it all on wine, women, and wanton pleasure. Like a classic college freshman, he wants to party his life away. However, when the money runs out, he comes to the profound conclusion that he needs to get a job! He gets hired to feed pigs for a while (unheard of in Jewish culture) but eventually hits rock bottom. Finally, in desperation, the rebellious son heads home thinking he will work for his Father. However, in His story, Jesus shows us the Father's true heart and his immense love for us. He doesn’t want us to be His servants. He wants us to come home as His beloved children.

In Jesus’s story, the Father searches the horizon and when He sees His son, He runs to Him, throws His arms around the son, and kisses him. He puts His robe on His son and His ring on his finger. Then, the Father throws a massive dinner party for His long-lost son.

The story illustrates how God in His love, crosses the distance to connect with us. He continues to love us through our rebellion and when we come home it’s not our service He desires, but our love.

The Greatest Demonstration of God’s Love for Us

The greatest demonstration of God’s love for us is the cross of Jesus Christ. On one of the last nights before He would give His life, Jesus said, “ Greater love has no one than this; to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” ( John 15:13 ).   At the time, Jesus’ friends didn’t know it, but that’s exactly what He was planning to do. God the Father loved us so much that He sent His Son to die so that we wouldn’t have to pay the price for our sins. It’s amazing to think of dying on behalf of a friend, but even more unfathomable would be dying for an enemy. Yet, that is exactly what Christ did on our behalf. The Apostle Paul wrote, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this; While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” ( Romans 5:8 ).   God took the initiative to invite us into friendship by giving up His only Son to take all the punishment on the cross for our sins.

Crucifixions were the most brutal of all capital punishments. The criminal was nailed to a cross, naked and left hanging to die by exhaustion and asphyxiation. As if that wasn’t bad enough, Jesus was tortured, beaten, and sentenced to death by an illegal trial. When we read the story, detailed for us in all four gospels ( Matthew 27:32-56 , Mark 15:21-38 , Luke 23:26-49 , and John 19:16-37 ) our hearts scream, “Injustice”! Yet mans’ injustice accomplished God’s perfect justice. It’s difficult to even imagine such a punishment. However, at the cross of Christ, horror and hope come together. 

Death is the punishment for sin before God. God made Christ who knew no sin, become sin on the cross so that all His wrath towards that sin was poured out on Jesus. When Jesus rose victoriously, He conquered sin and death for all time. Once we put our faith and trust in Christ, God clothes us in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. From then on, we look as good to God the Father, as Jesus Himself ( 2 Corinthians 5:21 ).

From these different passages, there are several conclusions we can draw about the love of God.

Photo Credit: © Unsplash/Alicia Quan 

3 Timeless Truths about God’s Love for Us

God’s Love Is Incomprehensible.  Though we can read about God’s love in the scriptures, we can’t fully understand. It is beyond our complete comprehension because God’s love is so perfect, complete, satisfying, and faithful. There is no human love that comes even close. The Apostle Paul described the love of God for us as that which surpasses human understanding ( Ephesians 3:19 ).

God’s Love Is Unconditional.  As human beings, we love others most often conditionally. We are drawn to some people more than others and as a result, we love the ones we feel connected with. God, however, loves each of us unconditionally. His love for you never changes. You can rely on His love ( 1 John 4:16 ) and trust that it will never change. God’s love never diminishes or varies. It’s constant and consistent. In fact, the Apostle Paul writes that “nothing can separate us from the love of God” ( Romans 8:35 ).

God’s Love Can Be Experienced.  Though His love is beyond our understanding, God still desires that we feel and experience the depths of His love. In Ephesians 3:17-19 , where Paul describes the dimensions of God’s great love He prays that believers would “grasp” this great love. That word “grasp” in Greek carries more than just the idea of head knowledge. What Paul is praying is that believers everywhere would experience feeling and resting in God’s love.

What do you do if you don’t feel loved by God? Begin thanking and praising Him by faith that you are deeply loved. Thank Him every morning when you wake and every evening when you lay down to sleep. Memorize a few key verses about His love. Remind yourself often through your day that you are deeply and categorically loved by God. Gradually, as you praise and thank God for His love, you’ll start to feel loved by God. Honestly, there is no one who loves you more.

How Does God’s Love for Us Change Our Lives?

Internalizing God’s deep love for us changes everything. Once you really begin to experience and feel secure in God’s love, it changes how you love others. It changes the core of your identity. You no longer define yourself by what you do or by what you accomplish but by the fact that you’re a beloved child of God. It changes how you love others. You begin to love others out of the overflow of a full heart. It changes your desires and dreams. When you live with a constant awareness that you are deeply loved by God you begin to desire what God desires. You dream about making His love known to others and joining Him in whatever He is doing in our world. It changes how you pray because you long to be in constant communion with your heavenly Father. Honestly, there is no truth that will change your life as radically as grasping the love of God for you! You will begin to wake in the morning, celebrating, “My Abba Father loves me!” Nothing can change that truth nor compete. You are categorically loved and treasured!

The next time you feel unloved create some space in your life to meditate and ponder the love of God for you. Remember, His love is incomprehensible and unconditional, and yet, God’s love for us can be experienced! Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a greater experience of God’s love. It’s a prayer He loves to answer.

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Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. We’re on a mission to change that. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ.

If We Love God Most, We Will Love Others Best

Jon Bloom Twitter @Bloom_Jon

‘be perfect’, the wild glory of an ‘ordinary’ life, the strong legacy of a weak father, god beckons through beauty, when love takes you by the shoulders, the lost son who never left, ‘abraham, take your son’.

Staff writer, desiringGod.org

The most loving thing we can do for others is love God more than we love them. For if we love God most, we will love others best.

I know this sounds like preposterous gobbledygook to an unbeliever. How can you love someone best by loving someone else most? But those who have encountered the living Christ understand what I mean. They know the depth of love and breadth of grace that flows out from them toward others when they themselves are filled with love for God and all he is for them and means to them in Jesus. And they know the comparatively shallow and narrow love they feel toward others when their affection for God is ebbing.

There’s a reason why Jesus said the second greatest commandment is like the first: if we love God with all our heart, we will love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37–39). It functions like faith and works; if we truly have the first, the second naturally follows.

But if God is not the love of our life, there is no way that we will truly love our neighbor as ourselves. For we will love ourselves supremely.

He First Loved Us

The reason we will love others best when we love God most is that love in its truest, purest form only comes from God, because God is love (1 John 4:7–8). Love is a fundamental part of his nature. We are only able to love him or anyone else because he first loved us (1 John 4:19). We are only able to give freely to others what we have received freely from him.

And as God’s image-bearers (Genesis 1:26), we are designed to love God and others in the same way that God loves God and others. God, being the most pure, perfect, powerful, and precious entity in existence, must love himself most in order to love everything else best, since everything else is “from him and through him and to him” (Romans 11:36). If God loved something or someone else more than himself he would be violating the first commandment (Exodus 20:3) and the foremost commandment (Matthew 22:37–38). For God to love something or someone more than himself would be inappropriate, perverted, immoral. Like God, we must love him supremely in order to love everything else best.

The Horrible Result of Not Loving God Most

When we (or anything else, if that’s possible) become our supreme love instead of God, love becomes distorted and diseased. Love ends up devolving into whatever we wish for it to mean.

This is a great evil, greater than we often realize. This is the world as we know it: everyone loves in the way that is right in his own eyes. Which of course means that everyone hates in the way that is right in his own eyes. They become supreme “lovers of self” (2 Timothy 3:2) and live “in the passions of [their] flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind,” since they were “children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3). It is not hard to understand why there is so much confusion and conflict and heartbreak and violence in the world. We live in an anarchy of love resulting in much of the horrifying things we hear in the news.

The Greatest Love Ever Shown

But God, being rich in mercy (Ephesians 2:4), “so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The author and perfecter of love, Love himself, stepped into our horrible evil anarchy to redeem us (Romans 5:8), his people, and give us new life (Ephesians 2:5), and transform us from children of wrath back into children of God (John 1:12) who are able to love him supremely and therefore love each other rightly — the way he has loved us.

And how has he loved us? With the greatest love there is, the love that moves one to lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13). But this doesn’t mean that Jesus loved us, his friends, more than his Father. It means that Jesus loved us best because he loved his Father most (John 17:26; Mark 14:36). And “if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11).

What May Be Our Most Loving Act Today

So we see that if we love God most, we will love others best.

I find this to be a convicting and uncomfortable truth: How we love others, particularly other Christians, reveals how we love God. The apostle John puts it bluntly: “He who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen (1 John 4:20). Our love for each other is an indicator of the place God is holding in our hearts.

God is very good at designing things this way: our faith is revealed by our works (James 2:18), our creeds are revealed by our deeds (Luke 6:46), and our love for him is revealed by our love for others (1 John 4:20). He makes it very hard for us to fake it. And this is a great kindness (Romans 2:4).

Since the greatest and second greatest commandments are involved in these things, we know they are important to God. So perhaps the best thing we can do today is take an honest, lingering look at the way we love others, allow what we see to have its Philippians 2:12 effect on us, and ask God what he would have us do in response.

We may find that this is the most loving thing we will do for everyone else today.

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5 Ways Jesus Said "I Love You" with His Life

Jesus said “I Love You” with his life by showing up for all of us and giving us hope for our messy lives. He left His throne to come to earth and save us from our miserable selves. It’s through His life and presence in our hearts that we can learn to love ourselves and others.

Sadness runs deep in our world today especially for those who don’t know what real love is. Through the life of Jesus, we learn to see that love is more than just words. Love is taking action.

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

This kind of love doesn’t just happen. It’s the kind of love that we must act upon. Love is not just a feeling, it is a choice. Jesus wasn’t forced to love us. He chose to love us with open arms nailed to the cross. Jesus is love.

Jesus is our Savior who came to earth to show us how much He loved us. He walked and talked with sinners like us. He shared His time with people, teaching and coaching them on how they should live.

He wasn’t just a good man; He is the light of the world and He has made a way for all of us to live eternally with Him in Heaven. He died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the grave.

Jesus is our only way to Heaven and he has prepared a special place for us. He wants us to experience His unconditional love. He desires for all of us to humbly come to Him and surrender our lives.

There are so many ways that Jesus has said “I love you” with His life, but here are five ways that He does so:

Jesus says "I love you" by inviting us to be with Him forever

Jesus shows us His love by inviting us to His eternal home and welcoming us. Jesus forgives us with open arms when we repent. He waits patiently for us to show up with a surrendered heart and willingness to change. He never gives up on us.

Jesus told us about the Prodigal Son , ( Luke 15:11-32 ) a story about real love. We all have been prodigals who have gone astray, but He reminds us that we are loved unconditionally.

Jesus longs for us to invite Him into our hearts and celebrate everlasting life with Him. He has a place prepared for you and me. He welcomes us home no matter what we have done wrong.

Photo credit: Pixabay/geralt

Jesus says "I love you" by caring for us

Jesus watches us day and night. When one of us gets lost, He goes and finds us and brings us back in. He fights for us like the shepherd fights off wolves from the sheep.

David’s psalm about the Good Shepherd is an excellent example of how Jesus loves us.

"The Lord is my shepherd , I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.

He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.

You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23

God didn’t create us to be alone, as a matter of fact He created us to be in fellowship with others. As the good Shepherd he makes sure that no one wanders out of His presence. He keeps us in the fold. He takes the hook of His rod and pulls his wandering sheep back.

A good shepherd spends time with dirty and stinky sheep. He cares for them through the long, dark nights and keeps them sheltered from storm. Jesus is right there with us in the darkest places. Patiently he waits for us to look up and reach out our hands to Him. This is true love.

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Jesus says "I love you" by spending time with people

Jesus spent time with sinners and those who were sick. He ate and drank with those that no one else would dare come close too. When the world rejects us, we know that we have a Good Shepherd who loves us! His love brings healing to the broken-hearted and sick.

Jesus showed His love through His life by visiting the poor, widows, and orphans. Jesus lived His life for a purpose, and that was to serve all. He brought hope to all who would receive Him and He calls us to do the same!

Jesus spent time with His disciples teaching and encouraging them. They ate meals together while they fellowshipped and they went together to minister to crowds of people.

Photo credit: Unsplash/Helen Lopes

Jesus says "I love you" by changing our hearts

Jesus promised His disciples that they would not be alone when He left. He knew that they would miss Him and He promised them the comfort of the Holy spirit. We receive the Holy Spirit when we ask Jesus into our hearts.

The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one! When we pray to our Father in Jesus’ name, we can be sure that we are in His presence. We enter the throne room of prayer because of the blood of Jesus. We don’t need to confess to a priest.

Jesus will show us a better way to live and He will give us tools, strategies, discernment and wisdom to do so. He speaks to our heart in many different ways. It can be through music, scriptures, friends, teachings, visions, miracles, and so much more. He changes the way we think and fills us with the fruit of the spirit.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace , forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law ( Galatians 5:22-23 ).

Photo credit: Pixabay/jclk8888

Jesus says "I love you" by dying on the cross

Life is full of sorrow. Jesus came to give us hope. His message is that this place is not our home and we don’t belong here. In our sorrow we all long for a better place and by drawing closer to God, our sorrow will become less intense.

We all have sinned. Shame and guilt keep us down in the pits. When Jesus rose from the dead, He took our sins and gave us new life. We are free to live at peace with ourselves, change the way we do things, and not go back to our old ways.

Jesus makes all things new for those who love Him. The greatest love story ever told is the one of Jesus dying on the cross for our sins. He has made a way for us to enter the throne room and live eternal life with Him in Paradise.

Jesus came to show us that He desires relationship. He longs for us to receive His unconditional love. He took our guilt and shame on the cross and daily provides us grace, mercy, and do-overs! Jesus came to serve us and be sacrificed for our foolishness. He wants us to feel and experience this kind of love. We can love like Jesus when we receive His amazing love.

Today, we can be the hands and feet of Jesus. He fills us with His love and He sends us out into the world to deliver it. We see Jesus in missionaries, evangelists, teachers, pastors, parents, friends, siblings and intercessors. We can make change happen in our world when we love like Jesus. We all have been given spiritual gifts .

There is no greater love than the love of Jesus.

Photo credit: Unsplash/Aaron Burden

Jesus in the Gospel Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Introduction

The obedient nature of jesus, jesus as compassionate, intimate nature of jesus, jesus as god, jesus as the greatest and the highest.

Jesus was the famous human being who lived in this universe. Many Christians confront the question of whether he was actually a real person or not. In my opinion, I suppose that there is a possibility of Christians loosing Jesus because Jesus is blight on the tainted history that they have.

Jesus emphasized on sin that was original and the notion that someone else could pay for the sins of another person. Although Jesus had no external beauty that could make people desire Him, His personality drew people closer to him because he had a great character. Jesus was faultless and via studying the type of a person that he was, we are able to shape our lives to be like Him.

One of the features that we observe via the limited accounts of Jesus that we have is that Jesus was concerned about other people’s needs. Besides, He noticed the needs of others before the people in need could ask for His help and He was ever prepared to assist regardless of whether He was tired or not. Therefore, this essay will examine the type of a person that Jesus was.

The most imperative quality that Jesus demonstrated was obedience to the Father who was in heaven. This obedience was because of the love for God and for humankind. Jesus demonstrated obedience in all His daily missions including the day that John the Baptist baptized Him. When Jesus discussed with John the Baptist about His baptism, John hesitated. This was because John knew that baptism was for remission of sins yet Jesus life was sinless.

Nevertheless, Jesus explained to John the Baptist that baptism was Gods commandment and he ought to respect it. Although it was not necessary for John the Baptist to baptize Jesus, Jesus decided to be exceptional and obeyed all the commandments even the commandments that were for the people who were wrong.

For instance, In the book of Mathew chapter three verse thirteen to fifteen (Mathew 3: 13-15), Jesus went to river Jordan to be baptized by John but John tried to make Jesus change His mind by telling Him that he was the one to be baptized by Him and not the other way round. Nonetheless, Jesus told John to let it be that way because that was God’s expectation (O’Day & Peterson, 2008).

According to Mark chapter one verse nine (Mark 1: 9), Jesus was baptized by John in river Jordan after he arrived from Nazareth which was in Galilee. Besides, in the book of Luke chapter three verse twenty one (Luke 3:21), Jesus was baptized after everyone was baptized (O’Day & Peterson, 2008). This further portrayed the obedience of Jesus because He did not segregate himself but followed the law, which required that people received the sacrament of baptism.

Satan, who tried to lead Jesus into sin, successfully ending His mission before it even began, tested the extent of Jesus’ obedience after His baptism. Without victory, Satan ridiculed Jesus to turn stones into bread because Jesus was hungry.

Besides, Satan attempted to convince Him to jump from the top of the temple and authorize the angels to save Him to prove that he was the son of God. Finally, Satan offered to give Jesus supremacy and magnificence if He worshiped Him instead of God. On the contrary, Jesus refused Satan’s request and commanded him to depart because no rewards or honors could wave Jesus form his principle.

For example, in the book of Mathew chapter four verse one to eleven (Mathew 4: 1-11), Jesus told Satan that human beings could not leave by bread alone but by every word that came from the mouth of God. This imply that Jesus obeyed the word of God and did not value earthly materials. Additionally, Jesus told Satan that He should not put the Lord into test because God deserved worship, respect and not challenge.

Finally, Jesus told Satan to worship God alone and serve Him (O’Day & Peterson, 2008). According to the book of Luke chapter four verse one to thirteen (Luke 4:1-13), Jesus did not fall into the temptation of Satan because He obeyed God so much that he could not accept the request of Satan. As a result, He told Satan that He ought to obey God and serve Him.

In the gospel, some parents brought their children to Jesus when it was late and Jesus was tired. As a result, the apostles of Jesus ordered the parents to go away but Jesus asked His disciples to allow the children to be with Him despite the fact that He was exhausted. This was because Jesus wanted the children to have some time with him so that He could teach them how to be good Christians because it was easier for children to learn and understand when they were still young.

Additionally, throughout the ministry of Jesus, He conversed about children and cautioned people to take care of them spiritually and physically. For instance, in the book of Mathew chapter nineteen verse thirteen to fifteen (Mathew 19: 13-15), Jesus told His disciples to let the children be with him because heavenly kingdom belonged to children like them and as a consequence, He blessed them and went away (O’Day & Peterson, 2008).

Besides, in the book of Mark chapter ten verse thirteen to sixteen (Mark 10:13-16), Jesus told His disciples who were trying to chase the children away that whoever did not receive Gods kingdom like the little children will not enter in to it (O’Day & Peterson, 2008). Finally, Jesus love for the children is also found in Luke chapter eighteen verse fifteen to sixteen ( Luke 18: 15-16) where Jesus stopped his disciples from chasing the children away.

Jesus grieved when King Herod’s servants beheaded John the Baptist. As a result, he went to a lonely place but his followers went after Him. Although Jesus was grieving, he became compassionate and healed the sick. Eventually, Jesus’ disciples wanted to chase the people away because food was unavailable but Jesus fed them through a miracle before they left. It was after everyone’s problem received attention that Jesus went in a lonely place to pray.

Additionally, In the book of Mathew chapter, fourteen verse thirteen to twenty four (Mathew 14:13-24), Jesus fed people with five loaves of bread and two fish yet the disciples wanted to chase them away. This show that Jesus had love and concern about other people (O’Day & Peterson, 2008). Additionally, in the book of mark chapter six verse fourteen to forty four (Mark 6:14-44), Jesus taught both the people who were following Him and the disciples yet He was grieving.

This portray that Jesus always put other people before Him and therefore, He had selfless love for human beings (O’Day & Peterson, 2008). Finally, Jesus set an example of Love because he did not turn away the people who required Him in His greatest time of sadness.

Additionally, Jesus had a nature that was compassionate because He healed the sick, fed the hungry and preached to everyone. For instance, in the book of Mathew chapter five verse one to eleven (Mathew 5:1-11), Jesus preached about happiness because love prevail through happiness.

Moreover, He preached that happy people were those who had a desire of doing what God wanted because God would satisfy their needs. This mean that people should love one another because love is the greatest commandment and that is the reason why Jesus loved humankind and urged people to love each other (O’Day & Peterson, 2008).

Furthermore, in the book of John chapter nine verse one to twelve (John 9:1-12), Jesus healed a man who was born blind. Although the disciples of Jesus were trying to blame other people for the man’s blindness, Jesus did not side up with them because He believed that the man’s blindness had no connection with someone else and as a result, he healed the man.

The miracle show that Jesus love for humankind was genuine and he did not try to find any excuse for whatever he did if it was for the benefit of other people (O’Day & Peterson, 2008). Finally, in the book of John chapter six verse one to fourteen (John 6:1-14), Jesus created sufficient food to feed the hungry people and this portray His love and concern because He did not want the people to go away on empty stomachs.

Furthermore, in the gospel of John chapter two verse one to eleven (John 2:1-11), Jesus changed water in to wine and all the people drank with happiness. This further show Jesus loves for humankind because He wanted every person at the wedding to be happy regardless of the situation that wanted to pave way for sadness (O’Day & Peterson, 2008).

Jesus demonstrated intimacy with both His followers and God (O’Day & Peterson, 2008). To begin with, He spent a lot of time with people teaching them and helping them to focus on the kingdom of God. For example, in the book of Mathew chapter five verse forty three to forty eight (Mathew 5: 43-48), Jesus told the people to love their enemies and pray for them so that they could become the children of their Father in heaven.

Additionally, in the book of mark chapter four verse one to twenty (Mark 4: 1-20), Jesus preached to the people about the parable of the planter and urged them to focus on the kingdom of God by being like the seeds planted in the good soil because those people heard the word of God, accepted it and produced good fruits. Finally, in the book of Luke chapter twelve verse thirty two to thirty four (Luke 12: 32-34), Jesus urged the people to keep their treasures in heaven because their hearts would always be where their treasure was.

On the other hand, Jesus was also intimate to His Father in Heaven because He always prayed to him, listened to him, obeyed Him and was concerned about God’s reputation (O’Day & Peterson, 2008). For example, in the book of Mathew chapter twenty one verse twelve to seventeen (Mathew 21: 12-17), Jesus drove people away from the temple because they were buying and selling.

This show that Jesus knew His father was not happy with what was happening in the temple because the temple was a place of worship and not a business place (O’Day & Peterson, 2008). Additionally, in the book of Mark chapter fourteen verse thirty two to forty one (Mark 14: 32-41), Jesus went to the garden of Gethsemane where He prayed. This show that Jesus trusted that God could take the cup of suffering away from Him.

Finally, Jesus was intimate with God because he accepted Gods wish of dying for the sins of men and taking all their pains. For instance, He went to Gethsemane garden where He experienced the pain of sin because He took the sins of all the people who lived or were to live in this universe (O’Day & Peterson, 2008). This was so painful but because of His intimacy with God and humankind, He accepted to go through it and as a result, God sent His angels to sustain Him.

John’s gospel attempts to demonstrate that Jesus was God. Certain verses of the book of John indicate that Jesus resided in heaven before coming to earth and He eventually went back to heaven where he was before. For example in John chapter one verse one to seventeen (John 1:1-17), it is written that in the beginning there was a word and the word was God and it was a source of light. Besides, God sent John to inform people about the light (O’Day & Peterson, 2008).

This verse show that Jesus was God and he existed since the time of creation. Finally, the resurrection of Jesus clearly provides evidence that Jesus went back to heaven where He existed before (John 20: 1-7).

On the other hand, if Jesus was the Messiah, His earthly experience could be different from other people. Therefore, our capability to identify with His temptations and righteous life is under a compromise. As a result, the notion that Jesus was God is not consistent.

For example, in the book of John chapter eleven verse twenty eight to thirty seven (John 11: 28-37), Jesus wept when He heard that Lazarus was dead (O’Day & Peterson, 2008). This show that Jesus was human and that was the reason why He cried because grieving is a normal human response to death. Additionally, In John chapter four verse one to twenty (John 4: 1-20), Jesus asked the Samaritan woman for a cup of water.

This portray the human nature of Jesus because just like any other person, he felt thirsty and for that reason, He asked for a cup of water to drink (O’Day & Peterson, 2008). On the contrary, Jesus was Lord because of a variety of incidences. To begin with, in the gospel of John chapter five verse one to fifteen (John 5:1-15), Jesus healed a man who had been sick for thirty eight years and this show that Jesus was God because He had power to heal.

Additionally, Jesus performed so many miracles that show He was God and not Human. For example, He walked on top of the water (John 6: 16-20), He healed a blind man (John 9: 1-12), He brought Lazarus to life (John 11: 38-44) and He appeared to Mary, His disciples and Thomas after His resurrection (John 20: 1-29).

The gospel of John vividly demonstrates that Jesus was the son of God. Besides, it is clearly stated in the book of John chapter twenty verse thirty one (John 20: 31) that the gospel was written so that people could believe that Jesus was the messiah and the son of God and people had life because of the faith in Him. Therefore, the suffering of Jesus was for the glory so that people could believe and have faith in Him because he was truly the son of God.

Finally, there are many signs in the book of John that portray Jesus as God. For example, in the miracle where Jesus healed the son of the royal official of Capernaum (John 4:43-54), Jesus rebuked the man because he was seeking miracle and He told the people that unless they saw miracles, they would never believe.

Jesus anticipated that people would comprehend that the miracles demonstrated His close relationship with the father (O’Day & Peterson, 2008). Additionally, Jesus’ intimate relationship with God was also stunning when Jesus healed a man crippled for thirty eight years at the pool of Bethzatha (John 5:1-21).

Since Jesus healed the man on the Sabbath day, Jews started to prosecute Him but Jesus told them to relate that miracle with the relationship that he had with God. For instance, Jesus said that His father always worked and he too had to work (John5:17). Additionally, He told them that the Son could not do anything on His own and He only did what the father did (John 5:19). Furthermore, when Jesus raised Lazarus from death (John 11:1-44), He declared himself as resurrection and life (O’Day & Peterson, 2008).

From that declaration, Mary affirmed that Jesus was truly the son of God and she replied to Jesus that she believed that He was the Messiah and the Son of God who was to come in the universe (John 11:27). Finally, after Jesus fed five thousand people (John 6: 1-14), He rebuked the people who had wrong motives towards Him (O’Day & Peterson, 2008). For instance, He told the people that they were looking for Him because they ate and had all that they wanted and not because they understood the miracle (John 6: 26).

According to the gospel of John, Jesus was the most powerful person and had authority from His father in heaven. For instance, when Jesus raised Lazarus, His power and authority from God was evident through His prayer. Besides, in the book of John chapter eleven verse forty one to forty two (John 11:41-42), Jesus told his father in heaven that He knew He always listened to Him, but He was saying that for those people who were present so that they could believe that He was sent by the Father (O’Day & Peterson, 2008).

This shows that Jesus had authority from God and He was close to His Father because His Father granted His request. Besides, Jesus had a habit of listening and honoring Gods voice because He heard his heavenly Father and His Heavenly Father heard him too (O’Day & Peterson, 2008).

Additionally, John portrays Jesus as a living word in the way He preached and accomplished His mission in the world (O’Day & Peterson, 2008). For instance, in the book of John chapter three, Jesus lectured Nicodemus about being born again and in John chapter four He explained to the Samaritan woman the importance of worship and the coming of the Holy Spirit.

Beside, in John chapter five, He disclosed about the significance of the Sabbath and in John chapter six, He elaborated about His being the heavenly bread. From the above chapters, it is evident that Jesus attached importance to the word that He preached as well as the word of God (O’Day & Peterson, 2008).

In the Gospel of John, Jesus knew the heart of every person and for that reason, He knew who to trust and who not to put His trust on. For example, in the book of John chapter two verse twenty three to twenty five (John 2:23-25), Jesus was in Jerusalem where the Passover festival was held and many people believed in Him because of the miracles that He had been performing.

On the contrary, Jesus did not trust them because He knew them and He did not require any person to tell Him about them because He knew what was in their hearts (O’Day & Peterson, 2008). This shows that Jesus had power from God to know that which mortal men could know.

In conclusion, Jesus is perceived as God who is the Greatest and highest. Besides, He is obedient, compassionate and intimate. As a result, we should emulate the example of Jesus if we want to enter in to the kingdom of God.

To begin with, Jesus is God because He existed during the creation time, He came to earth and went back to heaven after the resurrection and He is with God waiting to come back again to judge people (O’Day & Peterson, 2008). Besides, Jesus is the highest because through Him God achieved His purpose for humankind and people were able to receive salvation. Additionally, Jesus is obedient because He obeyed Gods commandments while He was on this earth and He accepted to die for the sins of man.

Moreover, Jesus is compassionate because He loved both the children and other people because he preached the good news to them and he gave them His blessings. Finally, Jesus is intimate because He spent most of His time preaching and urging people to turn away from sins. Additionally, He is intimate with God because He always prayed to Him while asking for His guidance and protection.

O’Day, G., & Peterson, D. (2008). The Access Bible: A resource for Beginning Bible Students, New Revised Standard Version with Apocrypha. New York: Oxford University Press.

• Intelligence and God Existence
• The Quran: Treatment and Status of Women
• "60 Project" by Mathew Adkins
• Satan in the Holy Quran and the Bible
• The Gospel of Amazement
• Biblical and Scholarly portrayal of King David
• The Confessions of St. Augustine
• Religion: Reason and Faith
• What is Theology - Faith and Reason in Theology
• Images of the Evangelist Matthew in the Book of Durrow and the Colbertinus Codex: Faith and Devotion for the Evangelist
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2018, October 25). Jesus in the Gospel. https://ivypanda.com/essays/jesus-in-the-gospel/

"Jesus in the Gospel." IvyPanda , 25 Oct. 2018, ivypanda.com/essays/jesus-in-the-gospel/.

IvyPanda . (2018) 'Jesus in the Gospel'. 25 October.

IvyPanda . 2018. "Jesus in the Gospel." October 25, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/jesus-in-the-gospel/.

1. IvyPanda . "Jesus in the Gospel." October 25, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/jesus-in-the-gospel/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Jesus in the Gospel." October 25, 2018. https://ivypanda.com/essays/jesus-in-the-gospel/.

The Love Ethic of Jesus: A model for Christian citizenship

September 10, 2020 By J. Jioni Palmer 2 Comments

This essay from J. Jioni Palmer is the fourth installment of our series on Christian citizenship, which explores how our values inform our voting decisions. View more in this series here »

Of the many scenes to emerge from the protests following George Floyd’s murder that have resonated with me have been the pictures of women holding signs saying, “All mothers were summoned when George Floyd called out for his mama.”

These pictures remind me of the interconnectedness of humanity, in suffering, service, and survival. No mother or father, sister or brother, relative or friend would want such agony for anyone, let alone someone they know and love.

As I recall those images, I am reminded of the night Jesus was betrayed and arrested by Roman imperial authorities. Before he was taken into custody, he shared a meal with his disciples. But first Jesus took off his robe, a symbol of power and authority, put on an apron and proceeded to wash their feet—even of the one he knew had sold him out.

In that moment, Jesus’ actions served as a teaching example to his disciples and all others who call themselves Christians. It showed them what it means to follow him. Right there in the text Jesus illustrates that service to others is a divine and sacred act. To further make the point, he gives the disciples a new commandment, which is to “Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other” (John 13:1-35).

Jesus illustrates that service to others is a divine and sacred act.

Being a responsible and discerning Christian citizen of the United States begins by examining how Christianity shaped and continues to shape our political, social, and economic institutions. It makes us ask and honestly answer if they function in ways that allows us  to “love one another”  the way Jesus loves us.

While the upheaval of our daily routines caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, social unrest sparked by racial injustice, and existing and growing inequalities across the board are top of mind for many as we head to the polls, these are only symptoms of an illness that has long infected the soul of America. It is a sickness that infected this land the day the first enslaved Africans arrived on North American shores, and today’s tumult, whether over policing or wearing masks, are examples of how the disease has metastasized.

Responsible Christian Citizenship in 2020 means taking a careful look at the theology and systems that produce and reinforce the conditions we contend with today. At the core of the American experiment is the belief that prosperity and good fortune are rewarded to the faithful, while poverty and misfortune are the consequences of sin. The noble, inclusive language in the nation’s founding documents about freedom and justice for all cloaks an ignoble and exclusive theology that only some are pre-determined by the Creator to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

This version of Christianity provides the spiritual, political, economic, and legal defense for the exploitation, oppression, and annihilation of people and natural resources. The Three-fifths compromise, redlining, the absence of universal health care, family separation, and other policies resulting in the marginalization of people are all justified through this theological lens. Although dominant throughout American history, it has always been contested, particularly by those on the margins of society who were drawn to Christianity because they heard a message of liberation in the teaching, preaching, and healing ministry of Jesus.

At the core of Jesus’ ministry is a love ethic that extends beyond one’s “own kind” to include neighbor and stranger, oppressor and oppressed. From his encounters with the Canaanite woman to Matthew the tax collector to the washing of Judas’ feet, Jesus teaches us that to love one another we must have faith that the God in you is also the God in me. Love and faith go hand in hand.

At the core of Jesus’ ministry is a love ethic that extends beyond one’s “own kind” to include neighbor and stranger, oppressor and oppressed.

The love ethic of Jesus is rooted in this: as created beings, we are all forever connected to the Creator. God is just as much a part of me as God is a part of you. To not love yourself, and not love another, brings distance between yourself and God. Humanity is called to be in communion with God and all that God has created.

As Christian citizens we are called to practice an active faith. Not just simply in outward and vigorous displays of praise and worship of the Almighty, or by praying the problems away, but through service to each other. We must live as Jesus taught and commanded us to live. We must also vote in light of those teachings and commandments.

Christian citizenship requires rejecting poverty and hunger for others just as much as we do for ourselves. You don’t have to be someone’s mama or a mama at all, to hear the call and come running, because responsible Christian citizens see individual afflictions as collective anguish and act accordingly. Some may argue America is too broken to be fixed because the groundwork upon which this nation was built was so corrupted. Perhaps, but at least the love ethic of Jesus gives us a place to start. The mandate Jesus gives his disciple to wash each other’s feet is placed upon all who call themselves Christian, not just on Sunday but every other day—including Election Day.

Christian citizens see individual afflictions as collective anguish and act accordingly.

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September 10, 2020 at 8:03 am

Thank you, Jioni, for reminding us to bring our Christian values into the voting booth or to our mail-in ballot. Amen!

September 10, 2020 at 2:59 pm

Good Job, Mr. Palmer. Jesus is the true role model and the standard to be mimicked in all walks of our lives if we think we are people of ethics and morality.

Awoke Dessie

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17 reasons why i passionately love jesus, you find it strange so once did i..

In college, I would always carry my Bible with me everywhere. I was just recently saved and transformed by the power of Jesus Christ, so I was just beginning to read His word all throughout the day. One day when I was walking, a woman came up to me and said something like, “Excuse me. I see that you carry your Bible everywhere. Well, I have just one question- and that is why do you love Jesus?” I was completely taken back by the question for no other reason than it was asked very quickly and extremely straight forward. It turned into a very good conversation, but I always think about that moment because I once wondered the same about others. So do with it what you will, but these are just some of the reasons why I passionately love Jesus.

1. He washed my rivers of wrong

It was mine . My sin to pay. I’m the one who has been offensive to God all along. But Jesus! God was merciful enough to come down on a rescue mission in flesh to die on the cross in order to save me for my wrongdoings forever and forever. My heart gushes with gratefulness because of it, and out of that- love. Nobody else has or ever could ever save me besides Him.

2. He first loved me

“We love him because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

3. I was His joy set before Him

Have you ever been so stressed, anguished, or sorrowed that you sweat blood? I didn’t think so. But Jesus did the night before His crucifixion. Yet the Bible says that it was the joy that was set before Him that He was able to endure. Even the thought is breathtaking.

4. He doesn’t like religion either

Whether it would be all the traditions or the idea of trying to be “good enough”, no aspect of religion quite hits the mark. Jesus came simply to gather a body of believers that would accept the truth and be a part of His Kingdom while here on earth and for all eternity by having a real relationship with Him.

5. He was there to heal my heart

I don’t like to be dramatic, but I truly had my heart broken by a girl that I really had a connection with and cared about more than anybody I ever have other than family. This not only left hurt in my heart but it developed a somewhat negative and completely distorted view of love in my mind. Well, that turned out to be exactly where Jesus needed me because He not only healed me completely, but He showed me what true love is- one that is eternal and will never hurt me or fail me.

6. I can trust Him fully

In a world of fleeting promises and people who can’t help but have the capability of letting you down, it is overwhelming to know that I have a God that I can always trust because He can’t fail. And it’s not like that’s going to change because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

7. He has been my best friend through loneliness

I think just about all of us go through lonely times, but I especially have always had to deal with this considering for whatever reason I’ve never had a best friend that I could share everything with. Jesus has completely changed that because each and every day is walked with Him by my side and no matter what, He won’t ever leave me now. He cares about everything I go through- good or bad.

8. He has been my strength and peace through the hardest times

What do you do when you wake up every morning not knowing what will happen to a family member because of their drug use? On my own, I was absolutely going crazy and stressed beyond measure, but I walked with my friend Jesus the entire time and it can’t possibly be explained in words the strength and peace that flowed through me. It didn’t make sense, and it wasn’t supposed to- it was supernatural.

9. There isn’t a day that goes by with Him that doesn’t include excitement

Why? Because every day is an adventure. Every day something new is to be learned. Every day someone new is to be impacted and influenced. I know He has a plan and purpose for my life so each day is the opportunity for it to become clearer and for me to fulfill it.

10. His saving and transforming power

I have witnessed the saving, healing, and transforming power first hand. Nothing is like it. And nobody is like Jesus.

11. I don’t have to set up an appointment or get ignored

Wow is it refreshing. No matter how amazing some people are, everyone has ignored someone or changed plans/cancelled meetings. I have comfort that Jesus always hears my cries, hears my excitement, and is there for me no matter what and no matter the time.

12. He set me free from my habits I just couldn’t get past

I tried. I tried. And I tried some more. I just couldn’t break free from the things I was doing that was messing me up. But Jesus could help me- and He did, because where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

13. He makes me whole

Now I completely understand where I’m found. Jesus completely satisfies my soul- and nothing else or nobody else can do that. You know the game for babies where you put the shapes in the holes on the board? And no matter how perfect the square is, you cannot put it in the circle hole. Likewise, I believe we were all created with a void in our heart that is Jesus-shaped; and no matter how awesome anything else is, it just won’t fit the bill.

14. My identity and purpose is found in Him

Everyone can call me whatever they want now. They can believe whatever they want about me now. None of this gets me rattled anymore because I know what Jesus calls me. I know who I was always meant to be and what I was always meant to do. The purpose of life can only be defined by the one who birthed it from His lips.

15. Among the colossal sea of people on this earth, He knows my name

Everyone wants to be important. Everyone wants to be a “somebody”. But it’s such a hard fight in this world to attain such a thing. The amazing thing about the Jesus I love is that such a thing doesn’t matter at all. Anybody who loves Him and is after His heart and Kingdom will be used and matters immensely. The King of heaven and earth knows me.

16. I’ll never have to be without Him again

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you”. (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5)

17. He believes in me when I don’t believe in myself

He knows the absolute deepest and worse parts about me- yet He still want to use me for great and mighty things and still calls me important when I think I can’t do anything. He knows that if He is for me, than who can be against me?

Start seeking Jesus today. I promise you will fall in love with Him too, and you will never look back.

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25 beatles lyrics: your go-to guide for every situation, the best lines from the fab four.

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make

The End- Abbey Road, 1969

The sun is up, the sky is blue, it's beautiful and so are you

Dear Prudence- The White Album, 1968

Love is old, love is new, love is all, love is you

Because- Abbey Road, 1969

There's nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be

All You Need Is Love, 1967

Life is very short, and there's no time for fussing and fighting, my friend

We Can Work It Out- Rubber Soul, 1965

He say, "I know you, you know me", One thing I can tell you is you got to be free

Come Together- Abbey Road, 1969

Oh please, say to me, You'll let me be your man. And please say to me, You'll let me hold your hand

I Wanna Hold Your Hand- Meet The Beatles!, 1964

It was twenty years ago today, Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play. They've been going in and out of style, but they're guaranteed to raise a smile

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band-1967

Living is easy with eyes closed, misunderstanding all you see

Strawberry Fields Forever- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Can you hear me? When it rains and shine, it's just a state of mind

Rain- Paperback Writer "B" side, 1966

Little darling, it's been long cold lonely winter. Little darling, it feels like years since it' s been here. Here comes the sun, Here comes the sun, and I say it's alright

Here Comes The Sun- Abbey Road, 1969

We danced through the night and we held each other tight, and before too long I fell in love with her. Now, I'll never dance with another when I saw her standing there

Saw Her Standing There- Please Please Me, 1963

I love you, I love you, I love you, that's all I want to say

Michelle- Rubber Soul, 1965

You say you want a revolution. Well you know, we all want to change the world

Revolution- The Beatles, 1968

All the lonely people, where do they all come from. All the lonely people, where do they all belong

Eleanor Rigby- Revolver, 1966

Oh, I get by with a little help from my friends

With A Little Help From My Friends- Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1967

Hey Jude, don't make it bad. Take a sad song and make it better

Hey Jude, 1968

Yesterday, all my troubles seemed so far away. Now it looks as though they're here to stay. Oh, I believe in yesterday

Yesterday- Help!, 1965

And when the brokenhearted people, living in the world agree, there will be an answer, let it be.

Let It Be- Let It Be, 1970

And anytime you feel the pain, Hey Jude, refrain. Don't carry the world upon your shoulders

I'll give you all i got to give if you say you'll love me too. i may not have a lot to give but what i got i'll give to you. i don't care too much for money. money can't buy me love.

Can't Buy Me Love- A Hard Day's Night, 1964

All you need is love, love is all you need

All You Need Is Love- Magical Mystery Tour, 1967

Whisper words of wisdom, let it be

Blackbird singing in the dead of night, take these broken wings and learn to fly. all your life, you were only waiting for this moment to arise.

Blackbird- The White Album, 1968

Though I know I'll never lose affection, for people and things that went before. I know I'll often stop and think about them. In my life, I love you more

In My Life- Rubber Soul, 1965

While these are my 25 favorites, there are quite literally 1000s that could have been included. The Beatles' body of work is massive and there is something for everyone. If you have been living under a rock and haven't discovered the Fab Four, you have to get musically educated. Stream them on Spotify, find them on iTunes or even buy a CD or record (Yes, those still exist!). I would suggest starting with 1, which is a collection of most of their #1 songs, or the 1968 White Album. Give them chance and you'll never look back.

14 Invisible Activities: Unleash Your Inner Ghost!

Obviously the best superpower..

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

1. "Haunt" your friends.

Follow them into their house and cause a ruckus.

2. Sneak into movie theaters.

Going to the cinema alone is good for your mental health , says science

Considering that the monthly cost of subscribing to a media-streaming service like Netflix is oft...

Free movies...what else to I have to say?

3. Sneak into the pantry and grab a snack without judgment.

Late night snacks all you want? Duh.

4. Reenact "Hollow Man" and play Kevin Bacon.

America's favorite son? And feel what it's like to be in a MTV Movie Award nominated film? Sign me up.

5. Wear a mask and pretend to be a floating head.

Just another way to spook your friends in case you wanted to.

6. Hold objects so they'll "float."

"Oh no! A floating jar of peanut butter."

7. Win every game of hide-and-seek.

Just stand out in the open and you'll win.

8. Eat some food as people will watch it disappear.

Even everyday activities can be funny.

9. Go around pantsing your friends.

Even pranks can be done; not everything can be good.

10. Not have perfect attendance.

You'll say here, but they won't see you...

11. Avoid anyone you don't want to see.

Whether it's an ex or someone you hate, just use your invisibility to slip out of the situation.

12. Avoid responsibilities.

Chores? Invisible. People asking about social life? Invisible. Family being rude? Boom, invisible.

13. Be an expert on ding-dong-ditch.

Never get caught and have the adrenaline rush? I'm down.

14. Brag about being invisible.

Be the envy of the town.

But don't, I repeat, don't go in a locker room. Don't be a pervert with your power. No one likes a Peeping Tom.

Good luck, folks.

19 Lessons I'll Never Forget from Growing Up In a Small Town

There have been many lessons learned..

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

1. The importance of traditions.

Sometimes traditions seem like a silly thing, but the fact of it is that it's part of who you are. You grew up this way and, more than likely, so did your parents. It is something that is part of your family history and that is more important than anything.

2. How to be thankful for family and friends.

No matter how many times they get on your nerves or make you mad, they are the ones who will always be there and you should never take that for granted.

3. How to give back.

When tragedy strikes in a small town, everyone feels obligated to help out because, whether directly or indirectly, it affects you too. It is easy in a bigger city to be able to disconnect from certain problems. But in a small town those problems affect everyone.

4. What the word "community" really means.

Along the same lines as #3, everyone is always ready and willing to lend a helping hand when you need one in a small town and to me that is the true meaning of community. It's working together to build a better atmosphere, being there to raise each other up, build each other up, and pick each other up when someone is in need. A small town community is full of endless support whether it be after a tragedy or at a hometown sports game. Everyone shows up to show their support.

5. That it isn't about the destination, but the journey.

People say this to others all the time, but it takes on a whole new meaning in a small town. It is true that life is about the journey, but when you're from a small town, you know it's about the journey because the journey probably takes longer than you spend at the destination. Everything is so far away that it is totally normal to spend a couple hours in the car on your way to some form of entertainment. And most of the time, you're gonna have as many, if not more, memories and laughs on the journey than at the destination.

6. The consequences of making bad choices.

Word travels fast in a small town, so don't think you're gonna get away with anything. In fact, your parents probably know what you did before you even have a chance to get home and tell them. And forget about being scared of what your teacher, principle, or other authority figure is going to do, you're more afraid of what your parents are gonna do when you get home.

7. To trust people, until you have a reason not to.

Everyone deserves a chance. Most people don't have ill-intentions and you can't live your life guarding against every one else just because a few people in your life have betrayed your trust.

8. To be welcoming and accepting of everyone.

While small towns are not always extremely diverse, they do contain people with a lot of different stories, struggle, and backgrounds. In a small town, it is pretty hard to exclude anyone because of who they are or what they come from because there aren't many people to choose from. A small town teaches you that just because someone isn't the same as you, doesn't mean you can't be great friends.

9. How to be my own, individual person.

In a small town, you learn that it's okay to be who you are and do your own thing. You learn that confidence isn't how beautiful you are or how much money you have, it's who you are on the inside.

10. How to work for what I want.

Nothing comes easy in life. They always say "gardens don't grow overnight" and if you're from a small town you know this both figuratively and literally. You certainly know gardens don't grow overnight because you've worked in a garden or two. But you also know that to get to the place you want to be in life it takes work and effort. It doesn't just happen because you want it to.

11. How to be great at giving directions.

If you're from a small town, you know that you will probably only meet a handful of people in your life who ACTUALLY know where your town is. And forget about the people who accidentally enter into your town because of google maps. You've gotten really good at giving them directions right back to the interstate.

12. How to be humble .

My small town has definitely taught me how to be humble. It isn't always about you, and anyone who grows up in a small town knows that. Everyone gets their moment in the spotlight, and since there's so few of us, we're probably best friends with everyone so we are as excited when they get their moment of fame as we are when we get ours.

13. To be well-rounded.

Going to a small town high school definitely made me well-rounded. There isn't enough kids in the school to fill up all the clubs and sports teams individually so be ready to be a part of them all.

14. How to be great at conflict resolution.

In a small town, good luck holding a grudge. In a bigger city you can just avoid a person you don't like or who you've had problems with. But not in a small town. You better resolve the issue fast because you're bound to see them at least 5 times a week.

15. The beauty of getting outside and exploring.

One of my favorite things about growing up in a rural area was being able to go outside and go exploring and not have to worry about being in danger. There is nothing more exciting then finding a new place somewhere in town or in the woods and just spending time there enjoying the natural beauty around you.

16. To be prepared for anything.

You never know what may happen. If you get a flat tire, you better know how to change it yourself because you never know if you will be able to get ahold of someone else to come fix it. Mechanics might be too busy , or more than likely you won't even have enough cell service to call one.

17. That you don't always have to do it alone.

It's okay to ask for help. One thing I realized when I moved away from my town for college, was how much my town has taught me that I could ask for help is I needed it. I got into a couple situations outside of my town where I couldn't find anyone to help me and found myself thinking, if I was in my town there would be tons of people ready to help me. And even though I couldn't find anyone to help, you better believe I wasn't afraid to ask.

18. How to be creative.

When you're at least an hour away from normal forms of entertainment such as movie theaters and malls, you learn to get real creative in entertaining yourself. Whether it be a night looking at the stars in the bed of a pickup truck or having a movie marathon in a blanket fort at home, you know how to make your own good time.

19. To brush off gossip.

It's all about knowing the person you are and not letting others influence your opinion of yourself. In small towns, there is plenty of gossip. But as long as you know who you really are, it will always blow over.

Grateful Beyond Words: A Letter to My Inspiration

I have never been so thankful to know you..

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

You have taught me that you don't always have to strong. You are allowed to break down as long as you pick yourself back up and keep moving forward. When life had you at your worst moments, you allowed your friends to be there for you and to help you. You let them in and they helped pick you up. Even in your darkest hour you showed so much strength. I know that you don't believe in yourself as much as you should but you are unbelievably strong and capable of anything you set your mind to.

Your passion to make a difference in the world is unbelievable. You put your heart and soul into your endeavors and surpass any personal goal you could have set. Watching you do what you love and watching you make a difference in the lives of others is an incredible experience. The way your face lights up when you finally realize what you have accomplished is breathtaking and I hope that one day I can have just as much passion you have.

SEE MORE: A Letter To My Best Friend On Her Birthday

The love you have for your family is outstanding. Watching you interact with loved ones just makes me smile . You are so comfortable and you are yourself. I see the way you smile when you are around family and I wish I could see you smile like this everyday. You love with all your heart and this quality is something I wished I possessed.

You inspire me to be the best version of myself. I look up to you. I feel that more people should strive to have the strength and passion that you exemplify in everyday life.You may be stubborn at points but when you really need help you let others in, which shows strength in itself. I have never been more proud to know someone and to call someone my role model. You have taught me so many things and I want to thank you. Thank you for inspiring me in life. Thank you for making me want to be a better person.

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life..

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Don't freak out

This is a rule you should continue to follow no matter what you do in life, but is especially helpful in this situation.

Email the professor

Around this time, professors are getting flooded with requests from students wanting to get into full classes. This doesn't mean you shouldn't burden them with your email; it means they are expecting interested students to email them. Send a short, concise message telling them that you are interested in the class and ask if there would be any chance for you to get in.

Attend the first class

Often, the advice professors will give you when they reply to your email is to attend the first class. The first class isn't the most important class in terms of what will be taught. However, attending the first class means you are serious about taking the course and aren't going to give up on it.

Keep attending class

Every student is in the same position as you are. They registered for more classes than they want to take and are "shopping." For the first couple of weeks, you can drop or add classes as you please, which means that classes that were once full will have spaces. If you keep attending class and keep up with assignments, odds are that you will have priority. Professors give preference to people who need the class for a major and then from higher to lower class year (senior to freshman).

Have a backup plan

For two weeks, or until I find out whether I get into my waitlisted class, I will be attending more than the usual number of classes. This is so that if I don't get into my waitlisted class, I won't have a credit shortage and I won't have to fall back in my backup class. Chances are that enough people will drop the class, especially if it is very difficult like computer science, and you will have a chance. In popular classes like art and psychology, odds are you probably won't get in, so prepare for that.

Remember that everything works out at the end

Life is full of surprises. So what if you didn't get into the class you wanted? Your life obviously has something else in store for you. It's your job to make sure you make the best out of what you have.

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Lectionary Essay for the January 30th, 2022 RCL

Readings: Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71:1-6 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Luke 4:21-30

• https://spu.edu/depts/uc/response/new/2012-spring/bible-theology/close-to-corinth.asp
• https://cpb-us-e1.wpmucdn.com/blogs.uoregon.edu/dist/7/10891/files/2015/05/stpaul5-19lteaf.jpg
• https://saintpaulemmaus.org/our-church/patron-saint/

For Sunday January 30, 2022

Lectionary Readings ( Revised Common Lectionary , Year C)

Jeremiah 1:4-10 Psalm 71:1-6 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 Luke 4:21-30

NOTE: This essay is a reflection on 1st Corinthians 13.  For an essay on this week’s Gospel, see “ Leaving Home ” from the JwJ archives.  https://www.journeywithjesus.net/essays/2067-leaving-home )-->

Some of the most famous and oft-quoted lines in Scripture come from this week’s epistle: "If I speak in the tongues of mortals and angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging symbol."  "Love is patient, love is kind."  "For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then we will see face to face."

Nowadays, we usually hear St. Paul’s poetic “love chapter” quoted at weddings.  “Love never ends” appears in calligraphy on creamy-white invitations.  Couples meeting at the altar hold hands and promise each other the “greatest” of all gifts.  Pastors encourage brides and grooms  to “bear, believe, hope, and endure” in a spirit of mutual, self-giving love.

How odd, then, to return this famous Bible passage to its original context, and realize that Paul’s lofty, lyrical letter is not aimed at starry-eyed lovers.  Paul isn’t writing to people who cherish and desire each other; he’s writing to people who can’t stand the sight of each other.  Paul is no priest at the top of an aisle, waiting to witness and consecrate young love.  He’s a frustrated and bewildered spiritual leader, calling an errant and self-destructive church to get its act together before it destroys itself.  1st Corinthians 13 isn’t a wedding homily.  It is, in Lutheran priest Nadia Bolz Weber’s words, “a smackdown.”

If you read the first twelve chapters of Paul’s epistle, you get a fairly clear picture of what he’s responding to when he describes the Corinthians’ loveless piety as empty, futile, and discordant.  The church has split into factions.  People are pitting their favorite religious teachers against each other.  Everyone’s vying for power and prominence.  Congregants are taking each other to court.  The folks who speak in tongues believe they’re superior to those who don’t.  People who shouldn’t be sleeping with each other are hooking up shamelessly.  Worshippers are fighting over everything from food to circumcision to celibacy to head coverings.  The Eucharist has devolved into drunkenness and gluttony, and the poor in the church are going hungry.

In other words, the Corinthian church is a church where all hell has broken loose.  Far from honoring each other as fellow members of Christ’s body, the recipients of Paul’s letter are tearing each other apart.  While piety, self-righteousness, and spiritual one-upmanship are very much on display in their ranks, the love that never ends is not.

Lest we 21st century Christians think that the Corinthian church’s failings are unique, let’s look more closely at Paul’s “smackdown.”  It’s not simply that love must outweigh the obvious “bad” things in our lives.  Things like greed, envy, lust, and hatred.  Love must even outweigh the “good” things.  Spiritual gifts, Paul writes — beautiful, life-giving, church-enhancing gifts given by God himself — are worthless in the absence of love.  Prophetic power — the ability to discern the Holy Spirit’s movements in the world, and unveil the hidden truths of our time — is meaningless without love.  Knowledge — a deep and comprehensive understanding of all that we consider mysterious or esoteric in our cosmos — is garbage when divorced from love.  Faith itself  — that much-touted gift the writer of Hebrews describes as, “the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” — is “nothing” without love.

Do we actually believe this?  Not in theory, but in practice?  Do we really value love more than we value being right?  Growing wise?  Wielding power?  Amassing wealth?  Acquiring knowledge?  Feeling seen?  Doing “good?”  In the context of the church, do we really give love primacy over “right” doctrine, beautiful liturgy, eloquent sermonizing, skilled administration, and generous giving?

Before we say yes, we’d do well to notice that Paul’s love chapter has little to say about love as a feeling.  The love he describes is robust and dynamic — think verbs, not adjectives.  Love is not an emotion.  It’s not something we wait around for, or fall into.  It is muscle, movement, sweat, action.  Love acts patiently and kindly.  Love acts against the impulses of envy, irritation, and arrogance.  Love yields, love rejoices, love refrains, love endures.  In other words, love doesn’t stand around waiting for warm fuzzies; love gets up and gets moving.

What would such intentional and active love have looked like among the ancient Christians in Corinth?  Perhaps it would have looked like the poorest members of the church — the slaves, the widows, the orphans — receiving the Communion meal first.  Perhaps it would have looked like the parishioners with the most “dazzling” spiritual gifts — the gifts everyone admired — taking a deliberate step back to make room for those whose gifts were historically devalued.  Perhaps it would have looked like people honoring and supporting each other’s marriages and bodies.  Perhaps it would have looked like people in rival factions gathering for honest, empathic, restorative conversation.  Perhaps it would have looked like people helping each other overcome addiction.  Perhaps it would have looked like sacrificial hospitality.  Perhaps it would have looked like confession, absolution, reconciliation, and amendment of life.

What would the love of 1st Corinthians 13 look like in your context?  What does it look like?  What does it look like in the places you inhabit, the people you care about, the parishioners you serve?

When I think about Paul sitting down to write about love, I think about a man whose deep and earnest religiosity lead him to sanction intolerance, hatred, violence, and murder — until a shocking encounter with Love on the Damascus road changed everything.  I think about a faithful and erudite believer in God who had to be struck blind by Love so he’d finally learn how to see.  I think about a man whose zealous faith rendered him a terror before Love transformed him, and taught him how to love and be loved.

Paul is able to write about love with such authority only because he knows firsthand what it can do.  When he looks at the trainwreck of the Corinthian church, he’s able to remain hopeful because he knows what God’s love did to his own stony, self-righteous heart.

Perhaps we should stop calling 1st Corinthians 13 the “love chapter,” and call it the “Christ chapter” instead.  Because the “love” Paul describes in this lectionary reading is the Christ.  It is God incarnate, who bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.  It is Jesus who is patient and kind.  Jesus who doesn’t envy, boast, or rejoice in wrongdoing.  Jesus whose love will never end.

If this were not true, there would have been no hope for the Corinthian church two thousand years ago, and there would be no hope for us now.  Left to ourselves, we cannot love in the ways Paul describes so beautifully.  We can’t stop wounding each other, distrusting each other, sabotaging each other, and betraying each other.  We can’t stop trying to earn or buy love.  We can’t figure out how to recover from cheapened, broken love.  We can’t stop falling in love and out of love.

The only hope we have is the hope Paul clung to; the hope that Jesus will love us into loving.   That he will be love, in us, around us, through us, and for us.  That in his generous, self-giving, cruciform love, we will find a source of life so lavish and plentiful, we’ll be able to give the love of God away, left and right.

Even after everything else in this life fades away, Love will remain.  Love in love’s tremulous, searing beauty will remain, and the mirror, clear at last, will show us what we long now to see.  Love itself, gazing back at us.  The greatest of all things.

Debie Thomas:  [email protected]

Image credits: (1)  Seattle Pacific University ; (2)  University of Oregon Blogs ; and (3)  St. Paul Antiochian Orthodox Church, Emmaus, Pennsylvania USA .

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100 Bible Verses about Jesus Love

Romans 5:8 esv / 1,009 helpful votes helpful not helpful.

But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

John 3:16 ESV / 974 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

1 John 4:19 ESV / 817 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

We love because he first loved us.

1 John 4:16 ESV / 675 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

Matthew 22:37-39 ESV / 449 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

1 Corinthians 13:13 ESV / 444 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

John 15:9-17 ESV / 402 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. ...

John 15:13 ESV / 374 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Romans 8:1-39 ESV / 370 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. ...

1 Corinthians 13:1-13 ESV / 366 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; ...

John 14:6 ESV / 337 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John 10:10 ESV / 295 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

1 John 3:1 ESV / 294 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him.

John 13:34 ESV / 272 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Galatians 2:20 ESV / 271 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 Peter 4:8 ESV / 261 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

1 Timothy 2:5 ESV / 241 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

Ephesians 5:2 ESV / 231 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Romans 5:5 ESV / 229 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

John 3:1-36 ESV / 224 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. ...

1 John 4:8 ESV / 219 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

John 15:12 ESV / 216 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.

Deuteronomy 7:9 ESV / 207 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

Colossians 3:14 ESV / 202 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Romans 13:8 ESV / 195 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.

John 13:35 ESV / 191 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 John 3:16 ESV / 187 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

2 Timothy 1:7 ESV / 187 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

1 Corinthians 16:14 ESV / 186 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Let all that you do be done in love.

John 14:28 ESV / 186 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

Zephaniah 3:17 ESV / 186 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

John 13:34-35 ESV / 185 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

1 John 4:18 ESV / 184 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.

Ephesians 5:25 ESV / 181 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her,

John 6:50-71 ESV / 181 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. ...

Proverbs 10:12 ESV / 180 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.

1 John 4:7-8 ESV / 179 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

1 John 4:7 ESV / 179 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

Romans 8:37-39 ESV / 179 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 15:9 ESV / 177 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.

John 14:21 ESV / 171 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”

Proverbs 17:17 ESV / 168 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

1 Corinthians 13:4-8 ESV / 164 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away.

Ephesians 4:2 ESV / 162 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Psalm 86:15 ESV / 159 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.

Ephesians 2:4-5 ESV / 158 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—

Romans 13:10 ESV / 148 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV / 145 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Proverbs 3:3-4 ESV / 141 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

Romans 12:10 ESV / 137 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Song of Solomon 8:6 ESV / 136 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord .

John 14:15 ESV / 131 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

Jeremiah 31:3 ESV / 124 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.

Galatians 5:22 ESV / 121 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,

Luke 6:35 ESV / 121 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.

John 1:18 ESV / 120 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father's side, he has made him known.

Romans 12:9 ESV / 119 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.

Romans 8:35 ESV / 119 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

John 14:23 ESV / 118 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.

Romans 8:28 ESV / 115 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

John 3:16-17 ESV / 115 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

1 Peter 1:22 ESV / 114 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

1 Corinthians 13:2 ESV / 112 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.

Ephesians 4:2-3 ESV / 110 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

With all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

1 John 4:20 ESV / 107 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.

1 John 4:12 ESV / 105 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

Matthew 5:43-48 ESV / 105 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is 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. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? ...

Psalm 63:3 ESV / 103 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you.

1 John 3:18 ESV / 102 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

1 Peter 5:6-7 ESV / 102 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.

John 20:1-31 ESV / 99 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Now on the first day of the week Mary Magdalene came to the tomb early, while it was still dark, and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.” So Peter went out with the other disciple, and they were going toward the tomb. Both of them were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. And stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in. ...

Romans 8:38-39 ESV / 97 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Acts 4:12 ESV / 97 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Galatians 5:22-23 ESV / 95 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Romans 12:9-10 ESV / 95 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

1 John 4:10 ESV / 91 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

Ephesians 3:19 ESV / 90 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Matthew 5:44 ESV / 89 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

2 Corinthians 5:14-15 ESV / 88 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.

Psalm 136:26 ESV / 86 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.

Psalm 36:7 ESV / 83 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

Isaiah 43:4 ESV / 79 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.

Psalm 143:8 ESV / 79 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

1 Corinthians 2:9 ESV / 78 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”—

Ephesians 5:33 ESV / 76 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

However, let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

1 John 4:11 ESV / 75 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Matthew 22:36-40 ESV / 73 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

Micah 6:8 ESV / 73 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

Song of Solomon 8:6-7 ESV / 73 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the Lord . Many waters cannot quench love, neither can floods drown it. If a man offered for love all the wealth of his house, he would be utterly despised.

Proverbs 8:17 ESV / 72 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.

2 Corinthians 5:14 ESV / 69 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died;

Ephesians 3:17-19 ESV / 67 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

So that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Matthew 23:37 ESV / 66 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing!

1 John 4:9-11 ESV / 65 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have 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.

Matthew 5:22 ESV / 63 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire.

Exodus 20:6 ESV / 61 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

But showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.

John 13:1 ESV / 58 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Now before the Feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart out of this world to the Father, having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end.

Matthew 5:43-45 ESV / 58 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is 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.

Mark 12:31 ESV / 56 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

2 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV / 55 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

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Do You Reflect God’s Love?

More by erik.

Each year the calendar flips to December, and the Advent season arrives. Like waves landing on a beach, the season comes to us with familiarity and beauty. The details of the incarnation are not new to us. But, isn’t true that each year (or each day) there is something fresh to grasp your mind or heart?

We often think about the love of God during Christmas—and rightly so! It is a glorious truth that God loved the world by giving his Son for us (John 3:16). But in addition to learning about what God did, there are also lessons for what we should do. Those who believe in God should imitate the character of God, in this case, his love (Eph. 5:1ff; 1 John 4:7-8).  

God’s Love Initiates

We learn in Ephesians 1 that before the foundation of the world, God’s love was initiating a relationship with people.  

We read in Ephesians 1:4, “even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him.”

This is quite amazing. God chooses or elects or picks out people before the foundation of the world. His love initiates to sovereignly and graciously choose a people for himself. The Bible teaches us that this choice is not merited by how much we deserve it. This is clear for two reasons. First, it was before the foundation of the world, so it could not be based on anything good we might do. Second, we know that after we were born, we have been imperfect. There is no way we could ever earn the right to qualify for such love. This is why it is all of grace (Eph. 1:6).

This love does have holiness in its scopes, however. Holiness is the goal, not the basis, of God’s electing love. God chose his people unto holiness. It’s astounding to think about this. We fear what so many people think about us. Sometimes it can paralyze us. We get anxious, worry, and sometimes avoid having to face people. Fear of man grips us. But did you see what God’s initiating love secures? Christ’s people will be holy and blameless before God. That is, believers, through faith in Christ, are clothed in the righteousness of Jesus. And, we can, therefore, stand holy and blameless before the inflexibly righteous and infinitely holy God! Those who are prone to cower before men will stand blameless before God.  

Because believers are in him we can be cheered by this prospect. The reality of being united to Jesus Christ and sharing in all of his benefits (Eph. 1:3) means we are genuinely blameless in God’s sight because we are clothed with his everlasting righteousness!

God’s initiating love secured this.

God’s Initiating Love Imitated  

When we consider God’s love we are given a helpful diagnostic and a pattern for us to pursue. Does your love for others reflect God’s love? I know all of us to lack the sovereignty and eternal existence required to perfectly reflect all aspects of God’s love. But, in principle, do you love others as God does? Here are some questions to consider.

Do you only love people who can give you something in return? If so, perhaps you’re only loving yourself.

Do you only love people who are like you, or are you willing to love people who are different from you? Consider that God has shown love to sinful people like you and me. We can’t get much more different than this. Can we not initiate by loving others who are unlike us?

Do you tend to limit your demonstration of love in response to others, or do you initiate? Consider again how love in your home or church might be different if people did not merely react or wait for others to love, but instead initiated it.  

When there is an argument or disagreement, are you the one who initiates reconciliation, or are you waiting for the other to do it? Sometimes we feel entitled to someone else initiating, but when we consider the gospel, we’re reminded that God initiated love to us when we weren’t entitled to it.

Is your love motivated by God’s glory and other’s good?  Read Ephesians 1 and consider how God loves for his glory and our good. It’s revolutionary for love.

It is astonishing to consider God’s initiating love. He loves people who are unworthy of his love and unable to pay him back. What a privilege we have to reflect this love by glorifying him in our lives.

Erik Raymond is the senior pastor at Redeemer Fellowship Church in Metro Boston. He and his wife, Christie, have six children. He blogs at Ordinary Pastor . You can follow him on Twitter .

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The Jesus Lizard Return With the Uncompromising ‘Rack’

Rack is another thrilling chapter from the Jesus Lizard, one of the most significant noise bands ever and whom many groups claim as a heavy influence.

It has been 26 years since the Jesus Lizard ‘s last studio album, but they return so seamlessly on Rack that it feels like they never went away. The racket these four guys produce together is so singular that the countless bands they have influenced are left with nothing to do but bow in their direction. Everything longtime fans have loved about the Jesus Lizard is here, and there are some tricks up their sleeves, too.

All four original members return for Rack and haven’t lost a step. David Yow still attacks the vocals like a man possessed, howling his trademark demented but poetic tales. Duane Denison’s inventive riffs wrangle atop the kinetic, propulsive energy of Mac McNeilly’s drums and David Wm. Sims’ rumbling bass. They have remained in fighting shape by undertaking the occasional run of live shows and assorted other projects.

On Rack , they prove they have lost nothing since their legendary run that produced classics such as Goat and Liar for Touch and Go Records. Sonically, Paul Allen’s production fits snugly between the raw, brute force of their work with Steve Albini and the punched-up sound of the group’s major label debut Shot . Yow’s vocals aren’t fighting for their life as they were on those Touch and Go releases, but they aren’t as polished as they were on the Capitol records. It is an optimal mix.

Opener “Hide and Seek” was the first taste of Rack , and it promptly put any concerns to rest that the Jesus Lizard are back to experiment with a new sound, sticking to their playbook with a driving riff and Yow’s signature vocals detailing his torment at the hands of a witch who killed her daughter playing the titular game. It takes off immediately and builds to an explosive finish. But this is not simply a victory lap or reheat of a band’s glory days. Dedicated fans will hear echoes of classic Jesus Lizard moments, but the band sounds fully revitalized.

“Armistice Day” leans into a slow burn of a riff and a blistering solo from Denison that hearkens back to signature Goat track “Then Comes Dudley”, and “What If?” has a sinister groove that recalls “Whirl” from the conquering masterpiece Liar . “Alexis Feels Sick” (allegedly about Girls Against Boys ‘ drummer Alexis Fleisig) also features Duane Denison’s alternating between a taut riff and a lurching one. These comparisons are not meant to suggest the Jesus Lizard are reinterpreting their songbook to cash in; these songs explode from the speakers and run circles around the group’s current contemporaries.

Yow’s lyrics retain the sublime mix of the gut-busting absurdity and the unsettling images that have been his calling card. “What If?” invents backstories for people around the narrator (Denison presented the concept to Yow). The characters in this set include a murderer, cruel tutors who don’t think much of Einstein, and the aforementioned witch. Elsewhere, his signature one-liners add flavor, as he wishes he could give birth to a dog on closer “Swan the Dog.” His vocals sound as gloriously unhinged as ever. How is it that everyone sounds even better after all this time?

For the faithful, Rack is another thrilling chapter of one of the most significant noise bands ever to do it. For the uninitiated, it will be instantly apparent why so many groups claim them as an influence.

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