Cultivating Love through Abiding Relationship in Christianity
Cultivating love in Christianity is intrinsically linked to an abiding relationship with God and fellow believers, a concept frequently emphasized in the New Testament. This love is not merely an emotion but a divine attribute and a commanded way of life for those who follow Christ [2, 3, 5].
The Apostle John states, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God" [2]. This passage establishes love as originating from God, indicating that those who genuinely love demonstrate a spiritual birth and knowledge of God. John further elaborates, "God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God abideth in him" [3]. This highlights an intimate, reciprocal relationship: dwelling in love signifies dwelling in God, and vice-versa. This abiding relationship implies a continuous, settled connection rather than a fleeting experience.
Christian love is often characterized by its active and self-sacrificial nature. It is described as a willingness to prioritize the good of others over one's own desires [10]. This kind of love is taught by God and exemplified by Christ, serving as a command for believers [5]. For instance, Jesus commanded his followers to love one another as he loved them [5]. This love is considered an active principle, a fruit of the Spirit, and an abiding principle that surpasses even supernatural gifts [5].
The concept of "affection" is closely related to love in biblical understanding. While affection can refer to general feelings or emotions, Christians are exhorted to direct their affections toward "things above" [4]. In the context of Christian community, "brotherly affection" (philadelphia) is a specific form of love that flows from a shared spiritual relationship [1, 6]. This brotherly love is rooted in the "new birth of an imperishable seed, the abiding word of God" [6]. Just as natural family ties produce natural affection, spiritual kinship through God's word generates a spiritual and enduring love among believers [6]. This "genuine affection" is likened to the mutual love and commitment found within a healthy family [9].
The cultivation of this love is not a passive state but an active pursuit. Peter encourages believers to add "brotherly affection" to their godliness, and then "love" to their brotherly affection, suggesting a progression in spiritual development [1]. Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians, prayed that they would "increase and abound in love" for one another, indicating that love is something that can grow and deepen within a community [11]. This growth in love is rooted in knowing the truth, which is not merely factual knowledge but the indwelling presence of God [7].
Brotherly love is specifically enjoined to "continue" among believers, emphasizing its ongoing importance within the church [12]. This love is universal among those who share a spiritual relationship with God as their Father and Christ as their brother [12]. The edification of the Church is deeply connected to this affection, as Paul's own strong affection for the Philippians served as a testimony to God [8].
Sources
- 2 Peter “and in godliness brotherly affection; and in brotherly affection, love. -- 2 Peter 1:7”
- I John “I John 4:7 (ASV) — Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God.”
- I John “I John 4:16 (ASV) — And we know and have believed the love which God hath in us. God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God abideth in him.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Affection — Feeling or emotion. Mention is made of "vile affections" (Rom. 1:26) and "inordinate affection" (Col. 3:5). Christians are exhorted to set their affections on things above (Col. 3:2). There is a distinction between natural and spiritual or gracious affections (Ezek. 33:32).”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to Man — Is of God -- 1Jo 4:7. Commanded by God -- 1Jo 4:21. Commanded by Christ -- Joh 13:34; 15:12; 1Jo 3:23. After the example of Christ -- Joh 13:34; 15:12; Eph 5:2. Taught by God -- 1Th 4:9. Faith works by -- Ga 5:6. A fruit of the Spirit -- Ga 5:22; Col 1:8. Purity of heart leads to -- 1Pe 1:22. Explained -- 1Co 13:4-7. Is an active principle -- 1Th 1:3; Heb 6:10. Is an abiding principle -- 1Co 13:8,13. Is the second great commandment -- Mt 22:37-39. Is the end of the commandment -- 1Ti 1:5. Supernatural gifts are nothing without -- 1Co 13:1,2. The greates”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:23: Christian brotherhood flows from our new birth of an imperishable seed, the abiding word of God. This is the consideration urged here to lead us to exercise brotherly love. As natural relationship gives rise to natural affection, so spiritual relationship gives rise to spiritual, and therefore abiding love, even as the seed from which it springs is abiding, not transitory as earthly things. of . . . of . . . by--"The word of God" is not the material of the spiritual new birth, but its mean or medium. By means of the word the man receives the incorru”
- 2 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 John 1:2: 1:2 Christian love is rooted in knowing the truth. The truth that lives in us is more than just facts or doctrine; it is the presence of God (see John 14:15-17), who will be with us forever.”
- CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Philippians, Colossians, 1-2 Thessalonians, section 5.4: That it might be as a testimony rendered to its God, Will in the Church of God serve as seed From which children shall come forth, filled with understanding.’“ 8. For God is my witness. He now declares more explicitly his affection for them, and, with the view of giving proof of it, he makes use of an oath, and that on good grounds, because we know how dear in the sight of God is the edification of his Church. It was, too, more especially of advantage, that Paul’s affection should be thoroughly made known to the Phi”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 12:10: 12:10 genuine affection: Literally brotherly love. Christians are to love each other with the mutual love and commitment that are found within a healthy family.”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 13:4: 13:4-7 This description of Christian love emphasizes the willingness to give up one’s own desires for the good of others (see also 8:1–10:33; Rom 5:6-8; 15:3; 2 Cor 8:9; Phil 2:4-8).”
- 1 Thessalonians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Thessalonians 3:12: Make you to increase and abound in love - They had already love to each other, so as to unite them in one Christian body; and he prays that they may have an increase and an abundance of it; that they might feel the same love to each other which he felt for them all.”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 13:1: Let brotherly love continue. The Vulgate Latin and Syriac versions add, "in you"; or among you, as a church and society of Christians; for this is not to be understood of love to all mankind, or to those of the same nation, or who are in a strict natural relation brethren, though they are all in a sense brethren, and to be loved; but of love to those who are in the same spiritual relation to God, as their Father, to Christ, as the firstborn among many brethren; and are in the same church state, at least partakers of the same grace: and which love ought to be universa”