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Biblical Love (Part 3): Christlike Love, Patient Love


Christlike Love

 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them” (Luke 6:32). Many Christians love those who love them and think that they are showing the love of Christ by doing that. However, that kind of love is part of human nature; it is common to everyone.

There is a love that only Christians have. It comes from the Lord. “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8). Jesus’ love for us had nothing to do with our love or our loveliness. It had to do with His loving nature and our need. When we share this kind of love with others, it cannot be based on their love or loveliness.

Love is Patient

“Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God” (Eph. 5:1-2).

To live a life of love, you must know what love is and how Jesus expressed it. Paul describes love wonderfully in 1 Corinthians 13. I would like to highlight two very important aspects.

“Love is patient…” (1 Cor. 13:4). Jesus was an example of patience: “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life” (1 Tim. 1:16).

“Love is kind…” (1 Cor. 13:4). God is also an example of kindness: “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (Titus 3:4).

Infinite patience and kindness together result in mercy. “Do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, tolerance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you toward repentance?” (Rom. 2:4). If we are impatient with our wives, husbands, children, parents, coworkers, or the unconverted, we are not living a life of love.

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