How are We to Love?

 

Matthew 22:36

King James Version

36 Master, 

which is the great commandment 

in the law?

Scripture tells us how to love.

How God loved.

How Jesus loved.

How we are to love.

These verses tell us more.

How GOD loves us.

Jeremiah 31:3

King James Version

3 The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, 

Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: 

therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.

John 3:16

King James Version

16 For God so loved the world, 

that he gave his only begotten Son, 

that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, 

but have everlasting life.

Romans 5:8

King James Version

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, 

in that, while we were yet sinners, 

Christ died for us.

Ephesians 2:4-5

King James Version

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, 

for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, 

hath quickened us together with Christ, 

(by grace ye are saved;)

How the FATHER loves the SON.

Matthew 3:17

King James Version

17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, 

This is my beloved Son, 

in whom I am well pleased.

John 10:17-18

King James Version

17 Therefore doth my Father love me, 

because I lay down my life, 

that I might take it again.

18 No man taketh it from me, 

but I lay it down of myself. 

I have power to lay it down, 

and I have power to take it again. 

This commandment have I received of my Father.

How JESUS loves us.

John 10:10

King James Version

10 The thief cometh not, 

but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: 

I am come that they might have life, 

and that they might have it more abundantly.

John 10:11

King James Version

11 I am the good shepherd: 

the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

John 10:28

King James Version

28 And I give unto them eternal life; 

and they shall never perish, 

neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

How JESUS loves the FATHER.

John 6:38

King James Version

38 For I came down from heaven, 

not to do mine own will, 

but the will of him that sent me.

John 14:31

King James Version

31 But that the world may know 

that I love the Father; 

and as the Father gave me commandment, 

even so I do. 

Arise, let us go hence.

How to love JESUS.

John 14:15

King James Version

15 If ye love me, 

keep my commandments.

1 John 4:19

King James Version

19 We love him, 

because he first loved us.

How to love GOD.

1 John 5:1-3

King James Version

5 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ 

is born of God: 

and every one that loveth him that begat 

loveth him also that is begotten of him.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God, 

when we love God, 

and keep his commandments.

3 For this is the love of God, 

that we keep his commandments: 

and his commandments are not grievous.

Jesus' commandments on love.

Matthew 22:34-40

King James Version

34 But when the Pharisees had heard 

that he had put the Sadducees to silence, 

they were gathered together.

35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, 

asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

36 Master, 

which is the great commandment in the law?

37 Jesus said unto him, 

Thou shalt love the Lord thy God 

with all thy heart, 

and with all thy soul, 

and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, 

Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

40 On these two commandments 

hang all the law and the prophets.

John 15:12-13

King James Version

12 This is my commandment, 

That ye love one another, 

as I have loved you.

13 Greater love hath no man than this, 

that a man lay down his life for his friends.

How to love others.

Leviticus 19:18

King James Version

18 Thou shalt not avenge, 

nor bear any grudge against the children 

of thy people, 

but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: 

I am the Lord.

Proverbs 10:12

King James Version

12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: 

but love covereth all sins.

Proverbs 17:17

King James Version

17 A friend loveth at all times, 

and a brother is born for adversity.

Luke 6:27-38

King James Version

27 But I say unto you which hear, 

Love your enemies, 

do good to them which hate you,

28 Bless them that curse you, 

and pray for them which despitefully use you.

29 And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek 

offer also the other; 

and him that taketh away thy cloak 

forbid not to take thy coat also.

30 Give to every man that asketh of thee; 

and of him that taketh away thy goods 

ask them not again.

31 And as ye would that men should do to you, 

do ye also to them likewise.

32 For if ye love them which love you, 

what thank have ye? 

for sinners also love those that love them.

33 And if ye do good to them which do good to you, 

what thank have ye? 

for sinners also do even the same.

34 And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, 

what thank have ye? 

for sinners also lend to sinners, 

to receive as much again.

35 But love ye your enemies, 

and do good, and lend, 

hoping for nothing again; 

and your reward shall be great, 

and ye shall be the children of the Highest: 

for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.

36 Be ye therefore merciful, 

as your Father also is merciful.

37 Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: 

condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: 

forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

38 Give, and it shall be given unto you; 

good measure, pressed down, 

and shaken together, and running over, 

shall men give into your bosom. 

For with the same measure that ye mete withal 

it shall be measured to you again.

Luke 18:22

King James Version

22 Now when Jesus heard these things, 

he said unto him, 

Yet lackest thou one thing: 

sell all that thou hast, 

and distribute unto the poor, 

and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: 

and come, follow me.

Ephesians 5:22-33

King James Version

22 Wives, 

submit yourselves unto your own husbands, 

as unto the Lord.

23 For the husband is the head of the wife, 

even as Christ is the head of the church: 

and he is the saviour of the body.

24 Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, 

so let the wives be to their own husbands

in every thing.

25 Husbands, love your wives, 

even as Christ also loved the church, 

and gave himself for it;

26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it 

with the washing of water by the word,

27 That he might present it to himself 

a glorious church, 

not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; 

but that it should be holy and without blemish.

28 So ought men to love their wives 

as their own bodies. 

He that loveth his wife loveth himself.

29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; 

but nourisheth and cherisheth it, 

even as the Lord the church:

30 For we are members of his body, 

of his flesh, and of his bones.

31 For this cause shall a man leave 

his father and mother, 

and shall be joined unto his wife,

 and they two shall be one flesh.

32 This is a great mystery: 

but I speak concerning Christ and the church.

33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular 

so love his wife even as himself; 

and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

What distinguishes disciples of JESUS.

John 13:35

King James Version

35 By this shall all men know 

that ye are my disciples, 

if ye have love one to another.

Additional reading:

"God's LOVE"

Learning to Love as Jesus Taught Us

GOD's LOVE

Updated 10 February 2023

A Short HISTORY of Sin and REDEMPTION

 

Would you like to have a really short history of how sin and salvation happened?

As always, SCRIPTURE answers it perfectly, in the most precise terms.

ONE man sins, causing death.

12 Wherefore, 

as by one man sin entered into the world, 

and death by sin; 

and so death passed upon all men, 

for that all have sinned:

Romans 5:12 

King James Version

ONE man saves, causing righteousness.

19 For as by one man's disobedience 

many were made sinners, 

so by the obedience of one 

shall many be made righteous.

Romans 5:19 

King James Version

ALL have sinned.

23 For all have sinned, 

and come short of the glory of God;

Romans 3:23 

King James Version

Only GOD is good.

17 And he said unto him, 

Why callest thou me good? 

there is none good but one, 

that is, 

God: 

but if thou wilt enter into life, 

keep the commandments.

Matthew 19:17 

King James Version

On death and ETERNAL life.

23 For the wages of sin is death; 

but the gift of God 

is eternal life through Jesus Christ 

our Lord.

Romans 6:23 

King James Version

JESUS dies on the cross.

28 After this, 

Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, 

that the scripture might be fulfilled, 

saith, 

I thirst.

29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: 

and they filled a spunge with vinegar, 

and put it upon hyssop, 

and put it to his mouth.

30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, 

he said, 

It is finished: 

and he bowed his head, 

and gave up the ghost.

John 19:28-30 

King James Version

CHRIST dies for our sins.

8 But God commendeth his love toward us, 

in that, 

while we were yet sinners, 

Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8 

King James Version

JESUS is buried.

40 Then took they the body of Jesus, 

and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, 

as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

John 19:40 

King James Version

JESUS destroys death, and devil.

14 Forasmuch then as the children 

are partakers of flesh and blood, 

he also himself likewise took part of the same; 

that through death he might destroy him 

that had the power of death, 

that is, the devil;

Hebrews 2:14 

King James Version

All come alive in CHRIST.

20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, 

and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

21 For since by man came death, 

by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

22 For as in Adam all die, 

even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

1 Corinthians 15:20-22 

King James Version

Updated 22 January 2022

What is Man's DESTINY?

 

Do you know where you're headed?

Does life make sense?

What are you on earth for?

What will the future bring?

Find all the answers from SCRIPTURE.

From the OLD TESTAMENT, through GOD:

Before the fall from grace.

27 So God created man in his own image, 

in the image of God created he him; 

male and female created he them.

28 And God blessed them, 

and God said unto them, 

Be fruitful, 

and multiply, 

and replenish the earth, 

and subdue it: 

and have dominion over the fish of the sea, 

and over the fowl of the air, 

and over every living thing that moveth 

upon the earth.

Genesis 1:27-28 

King James Version

After the fall from grace (unto dust we return).

16 Unto the woman he said, 

I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; 

in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; 

and thy desire shall be to thy husband, 

and he shall rule over thee.

17 And unto Adam he said, 

Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, 

and hast eaten of the tree, 

of which I commanded thee, 

saying, 

Thou shalt not eat of it: 

cursed is the ground for thy sake; 

in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;

18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee; 

and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;

19 In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, 

till thou return unto the ground; 

for out of it wast thou taken: 

for dust thou art, 

and unto dust shalt thou return.

Genesis 3:16-19 

King James Version

God's WILL stands.

10 Declaring the end from the beginning, 

and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, 

saying, 

My counsel shall stand, 

and I will do all my pleasure:

Isaiah 46:10 

King James Version 

GOD is in control of EVERYTHING.

11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: 

it shall not return unto me void, 

but it shall accomplish that which I please, 

and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Isaiah 55:11 

King James Version

God ordained us for His PURPOSE (as in prophet Jeremiah).

4 Then the word of the Lord came unto me, 

saying,

5 Before I formed thee in the belly 

I knew thee; 

and before thou camest forth out of the womb 

I sanctified thee, 

and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

Jeremiah 1:4-5 

King James Version

How GOD carved the destiny of prophet Jeremiah.

6 Then said I, 

Ah, Lord God! 

behold, I cannot speak: 

for I am a child.

7 But the Lord said unto me, 

Say not, I am a child: 

for thou shalt go to all that I shall send thee, 

and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.

8 Be not afraid of their faces: 

for I am with thee to deliver thee, 

saith the Lord.

9 Then the Lord put forth his hand, 

and touched my mouth. 

And the Lord said unto me, 

Behold, 

I have put my words in thy mouth.

10 See, 

I have this day set thee over the nations 

and over the kingdoms, 

to root out, 

and to pull down, 

and to destroy, 

and to throw down, 

to build, 

and to plant.

Jeremiah 1:6-10 

King James Version

God is the author of FREEDOM and captivity, lest any man think he is above God.

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, 

saith the Lord, 

thoughts of peace, 

and not of evil, 

to give you an expected end.

12 Then shall ye call upon me, 

and ye shall go 

and pray unto me, 

and I will hearken unto you.

13 And ye shall seek me, 

and find me, 

when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

14 And I will be found of you, 

saith the Lord: 

and I will turn away your captivity, 

and I will gather you from all the nations, 

and from all the places whither I have driven you, 

saith the Lord; 

and I will bring you again into the place 

whence I caused you to be carried away captive.

Jeremiah 29:11-14 

King James Version

Only GOD sets the appointed time for everything.

2 And the Lord answered me, 

and said, 

Write the vision, 

and make it plain upon tables, 

that he may run that readeth it.

3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, 

but at the end it shall speak, 

and not lie: 

though it tarry, 

wait for it; 

because it will surely come, 

it will not tarry.

Habakkuk 2:2-3 

King James Version

The iniquity of the fathers is visited upon the children unto the third and fourth generation.

6 I am the Lord thy God, 

which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, 

from the house of bondage.

7 Thou shalt have none other gods before me.

8 Thou shalt not make thee any graven image, 

or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, 

or that is in the earth beneath, 

or that is in the waters beneath the earth:

9 Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, 

nor serve them: 

for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, 

visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children 

unto the third and fourth generation of them 

that hate me,

Deuteronomy 5:6-9 

King James Version)

Every path is directed by the LORD.

24 Man's goings are of the Lord; 

how can a man then understand his own way?

Proverbs 20:24 

King James Version

The upright man's end is PEACE.

37 Mark the perfect man, 

and behold the upright: 

for the end of that man is peace.

Psalm 37:37 

King James Version

From the NEW TESTAMENT, through JESUS:

JESUS chose and ordained us, in God's SERVICE.

16 Ye have not chosen me, 

but I have chosen you, 

and ordained you, 

that ye should go and bring forth fruit, 

and that your fruit should remain: 

that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, 

he may give it you.

John 15:16 

King James Version

JESUS speaks of God's WILL; our destinies hinge upon that Will and our obedience to the LORD Jesus.

39 And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, 

that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, 

but should raise it up again at the last day.

John 6:39 

King James Version

True believers of JESUS are given eternal life.

28 And I give unto them eternal life; 

and they shall never perish, 

neither shall any man pluck them 

out of my hand.

John 10:28 

King James Version

We are to have tribulation.

33 These things I have spoken unto you, 

that in me ye might have peace. 

In the world ye shall have tribulation: 

but be of good cheer; 

I have overcome the world.

John 16:33 

King James Version

All the world wait for the LORD's Return, as prophesied in the Book of REVELATION; everything has been prophesied.

1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, 

which God gave unto him, 

to shew unto his servants things 

which must shortly come to pass; 

and he sent and signified it by his angel 

unto his servant John:

2 Who bare record of the word of God, 

and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, 

and of all things that he saw.

3 Blessed is he that readeth, 

and they that hear the words of this prophecy, 

and keep those things which are written therein: 

for the time is at hand.

Revelation 1:1-3 

King James Version

Through the Apostles in the NEW TESTAMENT, from JESUS:

God prepares something for "them that love him".

7 But we speak the wisdom of God 

in a mystery, 

even the hidden wisdom, 

which God ordained before the world 

unto our glory:

8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: 

for had they known it, 

they would not have crucified 

the Lord of glory.

9 But as it is written, 

Eye hath not seen, 

nor ear heard, 

neither have entered into the heart of man, 

the things which God hath prepared for them 

that love him.

1 Corinthians 2:7-9 

King James Version

We are "predestinated" to be conformed to the image of JESUS.

28 And we know that all things work together for good 

to them that love God, 

to them who are the called according to his purpose.

29 For whom he did foreknow, 

he also did predestinate to be conformed 

to the image of his Son, 

that he might be the firstborn 

among many brethren.

Romans 8:28-29 

King James Version)

The future -- and thus our destinies -- is told by JESUS in Scripture:

Matthew 24

Book of Revelation

Supporting article:

"Why Did God Create Man?"

(Image source: George Bakos)

Updated 22 January 2022

HOW Does JESUS Answer a Prayer?

 

I prayed to JESUS

early this morning:

"Please shine your LIGHT,

upon the darkness of our souls."

And the BIBLE answered.

Here's what came forth:

GOD's first WORDS:

1 In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

2 And the earth was without form, 

and void; 

and darkness was upon the face of the deep. 

And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

3 And God said, 

Let there be light: 

and there was light.

4 And God saw the light, 

that it was good: 

and God divided the light 

from the darkness.

5 And God called the light 

Day, 

and the darkness 

he called Night. 

And the evening and the morning 

were the first day.

Genesis 1:1-5 

King James Version

GOD made TWO great LIGHTS on the FOURTH day:

14 And God said, 

Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven 

to divide the day from the night; 

and let them be for signs, 

and for seasons, 

and for days, 

and years:

15 And let them be for lights 

in the firmament of the heaven 

to give light upon the earth: 

and it was so.

16 And God made two great lights; 

the greater light to rule the day, 

and the lesser light to rule the night: 

he made the stars also.

17 And God set them in the firmament of the heaven 

to give light upon the earth,

18 And to rule over the day 

and over the night, 

and to divide the light from the darkness: 

and God saw that it was good.

19 And the evening and the morning 

were the fourth day.

Genesis 1:14-19 

King James Version

GOD is LIGHT:

5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, 

and declare unto you, 

that God is light, 

and in him is no darkness at all.

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, 

and walk in darkness, 

we lie, 

and do not the truth:

7 But if we walk in the light, 

as he is in the light, 

we have fellowship one with another, 

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son 

cleanseth us from all sin.

1 John 1:5-7 

King James Version

The steady "Father of lights":

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift 

is from above, 

and cometh down from the Father of lights, 

with whom is no variableness, 

neither shadow of turning.

James 1:17 King James Version

GOD's "marvellous light":

9 But ye are a chosen generation, 

a royal priesthood, 

an holy nation, 

a peculiar people; 

that ye should shew forth 

the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness 

into his marvellous light;

1 Peter 2:9 

King James Version

GOD's Light "shineth in darkness":

1 In the beginning was the Word, 

and the Word was with God, 

and the Word was God.

2 The same was in the beginning 

with God.

3 All things were made by him; 

and without him 

was not any thing made 

that was made.

4 In him was life; 

and the life was the light of men.

5 And the light shineth in darkness; 

and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:1-5 

King James Version

The Lamb is the "light":

23 And the city had no need of the sun, 

neither of the moon, 

to shine in it: 

for the glory of God did lighten it, 

and the Lamb is the light thereof.

24 And the nations of them which are saved 

shall walk in the light of it: 

and the kings of the earth 

do bring their glory and honour into it.

25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: 

for there shall be no night there.

Revelation 21:23-25 

King James Version

JESUS is the "light of the world":

5 As long as I am in the world, 

I am the light of the world.

John 9:5 

King James Version

JESUS comes as a "light into the world":

46 I am come a light into the world, 

that whosoever believeth on me 

should not abide in darkness.

John 12:46 

King James Version

The LORD as a light unto us:

8 Rejoice not against me, 

O mine enemy: 

when I fall, I shall arise; 

when I sit in darkness, 

the Lord shall be a light unto me.

Micah 7:8 

King James Version

The LORD GOD will enlighten our darkness:

28 For thou wilt light my candle: 

the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness.

Psalm 18:28 

King James Version

GOD's word as a light unto our path:

105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, 

and a light unto my path.

Psalm 119:105 

King James Version

GOD's words "giveth light":

130 The entrance of thy words giveth light; 

it giveth understanding unto the simple.

Psalm 119:130 

King James Version

Followers of JESUS shall have the "light of life":

12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, 

saying, 

I am the light of the world: he that followeth me 

shall not walk in darkness, 

but shall have the light of life.

John 8:12 (King James Version)

The blood of JESUS CHRIST "cleanseth us from all sin":

7 But if we walk in the light, 

as he is in the light, 

we have fellowship one with another, 

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son 

cleanseth us from all sin.

1 John 1:7 (King James Version)

The LORD is our "light and salvation":

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; 

whom shall I fear? 

the Lord is the strength of my life; 

of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27:1 (King James Version)

(Photo from Rafael Pires.)

Update 20 January 2022