Love, The Greatest Commandment
The greatest commandment is to acknowledge the one God and to love the Lord your God. (Deut 6:4-5) Jesus affirmed that the most important commandment is, “‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:28-31) To love God and to love one’s neighbor as oneself is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. (Mark 12:33) This perspective brings us close to the kingdom of God. (Mark 12:34) We should understand what it means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice’ for Jesus came not to call the righteous but sinners. (Mat 9:13) To inherit eternal life, we should read the law as, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your soul and all your strength and all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:25-28) Jesus said, “Do this, and you will live.” (Luke 10:28) The new commandment that Jesus gave us is that we love one another: just as he has loved us, we should also love one another. (John 13:34) This is how we are identified as his disciples: we love one another. (John 3:35)
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By this, it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. (1 John 3:10) For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. (1 John 3:11) The commandment of God is that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus and love one another, just as he commanded us. (1 John 3:23) In Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Gal 5:6) Through love, we are to serve one another – for the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal 5:13-14) Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. (Rom 13:8) The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Rom 13:9) Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Rom 13:10) If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. (Jam 2:8)
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (ESV), You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and might
4 “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.
Mark 12:28-34 (ESV), To love – is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifice
28 And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” 29 Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” 32 And the scribe said to him, “You are right, Teacher. You have truly said that he is one, and there is no other besides him. 33 And to love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.” 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” And after that no one dared to ask him any more questions.
Matthew 9:13 (ESV), Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice
13 Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Luke 10:25-28 (ESV), You shall love the Lord your God, and your neighbor as yourself
25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”
Galatians 5:6 (ESV), In Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything
6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love.
Galatians 5:13-14 (ESV), he whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself”
13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
James 2:8 (ESV), If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, you are doing well
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
John 13:34-35 (ESV), By this all people will know that you are my disciples
34 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. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
1 John 3:10 (ESV), Not of God – the one who does not love his brother
10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
1 John 3:23 (ESV), That we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another
23 And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.
Romans 13:8-10 (ESV), The one who loves another has fulfilled the law
8Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
Jesus’ standard of perfection
When Jesus was asked by a rich man in Matthew 19:16-21, “What good deed must I do to have eternal life,” he said, “If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” But when questioned about which ones, Jesus did not say all of them or the entire law of Moses. He only mentioned six commandments. Five of them are from the ten commandments including, You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, and Honor your father and mother, and he added, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Rather than appealing to the entire law, he appealed to these select group of commandments consistent with his teachings of righteousness.
The man said, “All these I have kept, What do I still lack?” Jesus further states in Matthew 19:21, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Here we see Jesus’ standard is not the entire Mosaic Law, but those principles of God’s law that pertain to loving humanity and living a selfless life. If Jesus believed the 613 commands of the Mosaic law were critical, this would have been the perfect opportunity to say so. Rather, Jesus’ prescription was to focus on the principles of goodness that pertain to love and charity. Jesus’ standard of perfection was living a selfless life as a servant – not complete conformance to the law of Moses.
Matthew 19:16-21 (ESV), If you would be perfect
16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, 19 Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”
Abide in Love
Jesus said, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods, do not demand them back. And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.” (Luke 6:27-31) He explained, “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.” (Luke 6:32-34) Rather, he instructed us, “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.” (Luke 6:35) We are to be merciful, even as our Father is merciful. (Luke 6:36) Jesus said, “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:37-38)
If anyone heard the words of Christ and did not keep them, he did not judge them; for he did not come to judge the world, but to save the world. (John 12:47) The one who rejects Christ and does not receive his words has a judge; the word that he had spoken will judge them on the last day. (John 12:48) For Jesus did not speak on his own authority, but the Father who sent him had himself given him a commandment—what to say and what to speak. (John 12:49) God’s commandment is eternal life – What Jesus said, he thus said as the Father has told him. (John 12:50) As believers, do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. (1Cor 4:5) By this the Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be disciples of Christ. (John 15:8) Jesus said, “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.” (John 15:9-10) If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates another, he is a liar; for he who does not love others cannot love God. (1 John 4:20) This commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother. (1 John 4:21)
Since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (Rom 5:1) Through him, we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. (Rom 5:2) Hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, given to us. (Rom 5:5) The kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Rom 14:17) Let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. (Rom 14:19) There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear – whoever fears has not been perfected in love. (1 John 4:18) Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God – and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7) Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phil 4:8)
Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. (1Cor 8:1) If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know – But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. (1Cor 8:2-3) If we do not have love, we are nothing if we operate in great faith and spiritual gifts. (1Cor 13:1-2) If we give up our bodies to be burned but have no love, we gain nothing. (1Cor 13:3) Love is patient, love is 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. (1Cor 13:4-6) Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1Cor 13:7) Love is lasting into the ages. (1Cor 13:8) We should abide in faith, hope, and love; but the greatest of these is love. (1Cor 13:13) Let all that you do be done in love. (1Cor 16:14) Keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. (Jude 1:21) Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, who makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Eph 4:15-16) Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. (Eph 4:31) Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Eph 4:32)
Luke 6:27-38 (ESV), Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you
27 “But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 29 To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back. 31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. 35 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. 36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful. 37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; 38 give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
John 12:47-50 (ESV), I did not come to judge the world but to save the world
47 If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. 48 The one who rejects me and does not receive my words has a judge; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day. 49 For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”
1 Corinthians 4:5 (ESV), do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes
5 Therefore do not pronounce judgment before the time, before the Lord comes, who will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Then each one will receive his commendation from God.
John 15:8-10 (ESV), Abide in my love
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 10 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.
1 John 4:20-21 (ESV) whoever loves God must also love his brother
20 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. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
1 John 4:18 (ESV) There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear
18 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.
Romans 5:1-5 (ESV), God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 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.
Romans 14:17-19 (ESV), Let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding
17 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.
Philippians 4:6-9 (ESV), The peace of God will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus
6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (ESV), If anyone loves God, he is known by God
1 Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. 2 If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.
1 Corinthians 13 (ESV), faith, hope, and love abide – the greatest of these is love
1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 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. 3 If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known. 13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 16:14 (ESV), Let all that you do be done in love
14 Let all that you do be done in love.
Jude 1:20-23 (ESV), Κeep yourselves in the love of God
20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
Ephesians 4:15-16 (ESV), The body – that it builds itself up in love
15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:31-32 (ESV), Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
God is Love
God is good – his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psa 110:5) God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. (Psa 103:8) God our savior desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1Tim 2:3-4) For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. (1Tim 2:5-6) Therefore we preach this gospel in faith and truth. (1Tim 2:7) The Son of Man was lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. (John 3:14-15) For God 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) 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. (John 3:17) 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. (1 John 4:9) God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom 5:9) Love is in this gift of life, that God loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10) If God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:11) We love because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
When Jesus was speaking to the Father in prayer, he said, “This is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (John 17:3) Jesus further prayed for all who would believe, “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. (John 17:20-21) The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.” (John 17:22-23) No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. (1 John 4:12) Let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7) Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. (1 John 4:8) Those who believe have come to know the love that God has for us – God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. (1 John 4:16) By abiding in love, love is perfected in us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment. (1 John 4:17). The Lord is patient toward us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2Pet 3:9)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. (Eph 1:3-4) In love, he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. (Eph 1:4-6) 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 and raised us up with him and seated with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (Eph 2:4-7) For by grace we are saved through faith, and this is not our own doing; it is the gift of God. (Eph 2:8-9) For this reason, we should bow our knees before the Father, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant us to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in our inner being, so that Christ may dwell in our hearts through faith—that we, being rooted and grounded in love, may know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that we may be filled with all the fullness of God. (Eph 3:14-19
Psalms 100:5 (ESV), The LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever
5 For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.
Psalms 103:6-8 (ESV), The LORD is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love
6 The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. 7 He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel. 8 The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love
1 Timothy 2:3-7 (ESV), God – desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth
3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
John 3:14-17 (ESV), For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. 16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 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.
John 17:3 (ESV), Eternal life – that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent
3 And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
John 17:20-23 (ESV), Τhat the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, 23 I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.
1 John 4:7-12 (ESV) Let us love one another – because God is love
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 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. 10 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. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
1 John 4:16-19 (ESV) We love because he first loved us
16 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. 17 By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. 18 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. 19 We love because he first loved us.
2 Peter 3:9 (ESV), The Lord – not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance
9 The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
Ephesians 1:3-6 (ESV), In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 4 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved.
Ephesians 2:4-10 (ESV), By grace you have been saved through faith
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— 6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 3:14-19 (ESV), That Christ may dwell in your heart – you, being rooted and grounded in love
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
In Love, God adopts us as his children
We rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. (Rom 5:11) All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. (Rom 5:14) Believers receive the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom they cry, “Abba! Father!” (Rom 8:15) The Spirit bears witness with their spirit that they are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided they suffer with him in order that they may also be glorified with him. (Rom 8:16-17) The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to those in Christ. (Rom 8:18) For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God. (Rom 8:19) For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. (Rom 8:20-21) Those who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as they wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of their bodies. (Rom 8:22-23)
We know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Rom 8:29) We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Rom 8:38) 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. (Rom 8:37-39) The hope of the resurrection into eternal life in the coming age is the hope of becoming children of God, being children of the resurrection. (Luke 20:35-36) In Christ Jesus, we are children of God, through faith. (Gal 3:26) Those who have put on Christ; there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither slave nor free, no male and female, for we are all one in Christ Jesus. (Gal 3:27-28) And if we are Christ’s, then we are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise. (Gal 3:29) When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. (Gal 4:4-5) And because believers are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into their hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (Gal 4:6) So those who believe are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. (Gal 4:7)
Thanks to the Father, who has qualified those who believe to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (Col 1:12) He has delivered them from the domain of darkness and transferred them to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom they have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Col 1:13-14) In Christ Jesus, they are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that they may proclaim the excellencies of him who called them out of darkness into his marvelous light. (1Pet 2:9) Once they were not a people, but now they are God’s people; once they had not received mercy, but now they have received mercy. (1Pet 2:10) It was fitting that God, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. (Heb 2:10) For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source – That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation, I will sing your praise.” (Heb 2:11-12) And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” (Heb 2:13) Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil. (Heb 2:14) He had to be made like his brothers in every respect so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. (Heb 2:17) For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. (Heb 2:18) Jesus Christ is the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth – through love he has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father. (Rev 1:5-6)
Luke 20:34-36 (ESV), Sons of God, being sons of the resurrection
34 And Jesus said to them, “The sons of this age marry and are given in marriage, 35 but those who are considered worthy to attain to that age and to the resurrection from the dead neither marry nor are given in marriage, 36 for they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.
Galatians 3:24-29 (ESV), Neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, no male and female, for you are all one
24 So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, 26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
Galatians 4:4-7 (ESV), That we might receive adoption as sons
4 But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. 6 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7 So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Romans 8:12-17 (ESV), All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God
12 So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
Romans 8:18-23 (ESV), We ourselves – groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
Romans 8:28-30 (ESV), His Son – that he might be the firstborn among many brothers
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Romans 8:37-39 (ESV), We are more than conquerors through him who loved us
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 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.
Colossians 1:12-14 (ESV), The Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV), Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people
9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
Hebrews 2:10-18 (ESV), I will tell of your name to my brothers
10 For it was fitting that he, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, 12 saying, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise.” 13 And again, “I will put my trust in him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children God has given me.” 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Revelation 1:5-6 (ESV), The firstborn of the dead – made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father
5 and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood 6 and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation
If anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation – The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2Cor 5:17) All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. (2Cor 5:18) For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (2Cor 5:21) We should seek to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy (Col 1:9-11)
We must put to death what is worldly in us: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry; On account of these the wrath of God is coming. (Col 3:5-6) We must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from our mouths. (Col 3:8) Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. (Col 3:10) There is no Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, slave, free; for Christ is in all of us who believe. (Col 3:11) Put on, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. (Col 3:12-13) And above all these, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. (Col 3:14) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. (Col 3:15)
Be imitators of God, as beloved children. (Eph 5:1) Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Eph 5:2) Sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not be among you, as it is proper among saints. (Eph 5:3) Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. (Eph 5:4) For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or the one who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. (Eph 5:5) At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord – Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true) and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. (Eph 5:8-10)
See what kind of love the Father has given to us – that we should be called children of God. (1 John 3:1) Those who are God’s children know when he appears they shall be like him because we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2) And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 3:3) Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. (1 John 3:4) Christ appeared in order to take away sins, and in him, there is no sin. (1 John 3:5) No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. (1 John 3:6) Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning: The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8) No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed, abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. (1 John 3:9) By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. (1John 3:10
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (ESV), If anyone is in Christ, he is a new Creation
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Colossians 1:9-11 (ESV), Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him
9 And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him: bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy;
Colossians 3:5-11 (ESV), Put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk
5 Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 6 On account of these the wrath of God is coming. 7 In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 11 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Colossians 3:12-17 (ESV), Above all put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, 13 bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
Ephesians 5:1-10 (ESV), Be imitators of God, as beloved children
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), 10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord.
1 John 3:1-10 (ESV), See what kind of love the Father has given to us – we should be called children of God
1 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. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 3 And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. 4 Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin. 6 No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him. 7 Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. 8 Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. 9 No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him; and he cannot keep on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.
Life by the gift of the Spirit
Romans 8:13-14 (ESV), All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God
2 Corinthians 3:5-6 (ESV), The letter kills, but the Spirit gives life
our sufficiency is from God, who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
Galatians 5:18 (ESV), But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Acts 2:38-39 (ESV),
38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”
Romans 5:5 (ESV), God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit given to us
because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
