Loving Unconditionally
Unconditional love is a central theme in the teachings of Jesus and is the foundation for loving others according to the Bible. The natural man tends to love those who are good to him and hate those who are bad to him (Mt 6:32). Unlike man, God loves unconditionally in that he loves both those who do good and those who do bad – unconditional love. Unconditional love, as described in the Bible, is a selfless, sacrificial, and compassionate love that seeks the well-being of others without expecting anything in return. It is a love that overlooks faults and forgives unconditionally. God charges us to imitate his manner of love so Jesus said, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34 NIV)
Putting Others First
Putting yourself first in everything depicts you as self-centered, selfish, and greedy. One of the fundamental principles of loving others according to the Bible is the practice of putting others before yourself; that is, seeking the welfare of others first. Philippians 2:3-4 says, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” This calls for selflessness and a genuine concern for the well-being of others. When Jesus was being arrested, he put the safety and life of his disciples first by saying that if he was the one they were searching for then they should let his disciples go without any harm. (John 18:8)
Cultivating Empathy
Jesus Christ attended weddings and other festive occasions. However, he was also found crying with Martha and Mary over the death of Lazarus – he had empathy. One of the principles of love says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” (Ro 12:15 NKJV). Our love is not complete without empathy. Empathy allows us to understand the experiences and emotions of others. It enables us to connect with people on a deeper level and respond to their needs with sensitivity and compassion. Therefore, we ought to attend weddings, Christmas parties, etc. to celebrate together. Also, we ought to attend funerals to mourn a fallen brother or mourn with the one who has lost a mother, father, etc. All these are ways of loving others. Developing empathy is crucial in demonstrating biblical love towards others.
Practicing Compassion and Kindness
The Bible emphasizes the importance of showing compassion and kindness towards others. Colossians 3:12 says, “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” This encourages individuals to embody these virtues in their interactions with others, reflecting the love of God through compassionate and kind actions.
Forgiving Without Reservation
Forgiveness is a crucial aspect of loving others according to the Bible. In Ephesians 4:32, it states, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” This verse stresses the importance of forgiving others just as God has forgiven us. It is a call to let go of grudges and resentments and extend forgiveness to those who have wronged us. How many times should we forgive others? The answer is, ‘Every time they offend us’. That is, if the person you forgave the other day offends you again and again, you are obliged to forgive him without reservation. Peter asked Jesus about the number of times he should forgive and Jesus answered that he should forgive up to seventy times seven. (Matthew 18:21-22)
Serving Others with Humility
Jesus set an example of servant leadership by humbly serving others. Mark 10:45 says, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” This demonstrates the importance of serving others with humility and selflessness, considering the needs of others above our own. Therefore, do not boss around at home, school, workplace, etc. At home, help your mother, father, or siblings to do their chores. At work, you can assist others to finish their task if necessary. Also, do not focus on doing that single task you paid for, you can go the extra mile to accelerate progress in your company. At church, you can volunteer to clean, teach in Sunday School, etc. Serving others is one way of showing how much we love them.
Conclusion
Loving others according to the Bible involves selflessly putting others first, practicing compassion and kindness, forgiving without reservation, and serving others with humility. By embodying these principles, individuals can reflect the love of God and positively impact the lives of those around them. As followers of the teachings of Jesus, embracing unconditional love and applying it to our interactions with others is a powerful way to live out the principles of the Bible.