Understanding the Motivation of Love in Christian Relationships
In Christian relationships, love is understood as a foundational motivation, rooted in God's character and exemplified by Christ's actions [7, 9]. The Apostle John states that "God is love" (1 John 4:8), and this divine love serves as the ultimate source for human love [6, 8]. Christians are called to love one another because God first loved humanity, sending His Son as an atoning sacrifice [3, 6].
This love is not merely an emotion but an active principle [2, 6]. It is described as a fruit of the Spirit within believers [6, 13, 14], enabling them to understand what truly matters and live lives that reflect God [13]. The love of Christ is presented as the model for Christian love, particularly in its sacrificial nature [9]. Christ's offering of himself for humanity is the ultimate demonstration of this love [9]. Believers are encouraged to be "rooted and grounded in love" (Ephesians 3:17) and to allow Christ to dwell in their hearts through faith [4].
The motivation of love in Christian relationships is further characterized by its connection to truth and understanding. Christian love is rooted in knowing the truth, which is more than mere facts; it is the presence of God [11]. This love is meant to knit hearts together, leading to a full assurance of understanding and knowledge of the mystery of God [1]. While the extent of God's love is difficult to fully grasp, as John Chrysostom notes, understanding that God loves us is crucial, even if its full measure remains beyond human comprehension [10].
Love for Christ is exhibited through obedience to His commands, seeking Him, ministering to Him, and preferring Him above all others [5]. This love should be sincere and supreme [5]. Similarly, love for fellow human beings is commanded by both God and Christ, following Christ's example [6]. It is an active and abiding principle that works through faith [6]. The Christian life is completed when it is filled with the fullness of life and power through Christ's presence, leading to conformity to His image and reflection of God [12].
Sources
- Colossians “that their hearts may be comforted, they being knit together in love, and gaining all riches of the full assurance of understanding, that they may know the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ, -- Colossians 2:2”
- 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).”
- 1 John “In this is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. -- 1 John 4:10”
- Ephesians “that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; to the end that you, being rooted and grounded in love, -- Ephesians 3:17”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to Christ — Exhibited by God -- Mt 17:5; Joh 5:20. Exhibited by saints -- 1Pe 1:8. His personal excellence is deserving of -- Song 5:9-16. His love to us a motive to -- 2Co 5:14. Manifested in Seeking him. -- Song 3:2. Obeying him. -- Joh 14:15,21,23. Ministering to him. -- Mt 27:55; 25:40. Preferring him to all others. -- Mt 10:37. Taking up the cross for Him. -- Mt 10:38. A characteristic of saints -- Song 1:4. An evidence of adoption -- Joh 8:42. Should be Sincere. -- Eph 6:24. With the soul. -- Song 1:7. In proportion to our mercies. -- Lu 7:47. Supreme. -- ”
- 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”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love of God, The — Is a part of his character -- 2Co 13:11; 1Jo 4:8. Christ, the especial object of -- Joh 15:9; 17:26. Christ abides in -- Joh 15:10. Described as Sovereign. -- De 7:8; 10:15. Great. -- Eph 2:4. Abiding. -- Zep 3:17. Unfailing. -- Isa 49:15,16. Unalienable. -- Ro 8:39. Constraining. -- Ho 11:4. Everlasting. -- Jer 31:3. Irrespective of merit -- De 7:7; Job 7:17. Manifested towards Perishing sinners. -- Joh 3:16; Tit 3:4. His saints. -- Joh 16:27; 17:23; 2Th 2:16; 1Jo 4:16. The destitute. -- De 10:18. The cheerful giver. -- 2Co 9:7. Exhibited in The g”
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 4:7: 4:7-21 John explains the source of a Christian’s love and its outworking.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 5:2: 5:2 Christ’s love is shown especially in his offering himself as a sacrifice for us (cp. 5:25; John 15:13; Rom 5:8). Christian love is motivated by and modeled after Christ’s sacrificial love (see Phil 2:5-8). • Paul draws on Old Testament imagery, where the smell of a burning sacrifice was a pleasing aroma to God (see Lev 1:9; 2:2; cp. Rom 12:1).”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on Galatians–Colossians–Thessalonians: the love of God, it was necessary for Paul to pray, and there was need of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who by following mere reasonings shall understand the nature of Christ? And why is it a difficult thing to learn that God loveth us? Beloved, it is extremely difficult. For some know not even this; wherefore, they even say, numberless evils come to be in the world; and others know not the extent of this love. Nor, indeed, is Paul seeking to know its extent, nor with any view to measure it; for how could he? but only to und”
- 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.”
- Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 3:19: 3:19 May you experience (literally know) the love of Christ: The whole Christian life is based on the experience and personal knowledge of God’s grace and love in Jesus Christ (see Rom 12:1). • it is too great to understand fully: Christ’s love is much greater than ordinary human love (see Rom 5:6-8). • The believer’s life is made complete when it is filled with all the fullness of life and power by the presence of Christ within (see Eph 1:23; Gal 2:20; Col 1:27). The believer then is conformed to his image and reflects God (see Eph 4:14, 24; 5:1-2; Rom 8:29; 2”
- Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 1:9: 1:9-10 Love is a fruit of Christ’s Spirit within believers (Rom 5:5; Gal 5:22). • growing in knowledge and understanding: In this way, believers can understand what really matters (see Rom 12:2) and live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return (cp. 1 Thes 3:12-13; 5:23).”
- Phil (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Phil 1:9: 1:9-10 Love is a fruit of Christ’s Spirit within believers (Rom 5:5; Gal 5:22). • growing in knowledge and understanding: In this way, believers can understand what really matters (see Rom 12:2) and live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return (cp. 1 Thes 3:12-13; 5:23).”