LOVING IN A BIBLICAL WAY
I. Why Should You Love?
A. Love fulfills the Law of God (Rom. 13:10).
B. Love is proof you have been born of God (1 John 4:7).
C. Love is the proof of maturity in Christ (Col. 3:14).
D. Loving others will please God (1 Thess. 3:12-4:1).
II. How Should You Love?
A. You should give yourself sacrificially (Eph. 5:25) (1 John 3:16) (John 15:13).
B. You should be a servant (Gal. 5:13).
C. You should give those you love freedom to make their own choices, not forcing your will upon them, even as the Lord doesn't force His will upon you (Rev. 22:17) (John 6:15) (2 Sam. 13:12).
D. You will forgive much (Luke 7:47) (1 John 4:20) (1 Peter 4:8).
E. You will look for ways to give to others (2 Chron. 16:9).
F. You will correct your loved ones when you see evil and wrongdoing (Heb. 12:6) (Rev. 3:19).
G. You love the Lord more than you love them (John 21:15) (1 John 5:12).
H. You will give your loved one's needs preference over your own (Rom. 12:10).
I. You won't do anything to harm another in any way (Rom. 13:10).
J. You won't cause others to stumble by your attitudes or actions (Rom. 14:1).
K. You will seek to build others up by your attitudes and actions (1 Cor. 8:1).
L. You will seek to communicate your love (2 Cor. 2:4).
M. You will reaffirm your love after reconciliation with them (2 Cor. 2:8).
N. You will prove your love by action (2 Cor. 8:24).
O. You will care for others as you do yourself (Eph. 5:28).
P. You will make knowledgeable and wise choices that have your loved one's best interest in mind (Phil. 1:9).
Q. You will comfort others when they are in need (Phil. 2:1).
R. You will seek unity and to be knit together in love (Col. 2:2).
S. You will resist and endure temptation to violate God's commands, that might in any way hurt or offend others (James 1:12).
T. You will be tenderhearted and courteous (1 Peter 3:8).
U. You will take action when there are obvious needs that you can meet (1 John 3:18).
V. You won't try to manipulate with fear (1 John 4:18).
W. You will be longsuffering (1 Cor. 13:4).
X. You won't envy others (1 Cor. 13:4).
Y. You won't think yourself better than others (1 Cor 13:4).
Z. You won't be rude (1 Cor. 13:5).
AA. You won't be selfish (1 Cor. 13:5).
BB. You won't hold resentment and bitterness (1 Cor. 13:5).
CC. You will be trustful (1 Cor. 13:7).
DD. You will hope for change when your trust has been violated (1 Cor. 13:7).
EE. You will endure when the change doesn't come instantly (1 Cor. 13:7).
FF. You will hold others accountable as God holds you accountable (Rom. 14:12).
Important note: Not all people will receive your love, even if you love them in this manner. Remember, men rejected the love of Christ when He Loved them in this way. Some may reject yours as well (John 15:20).
This study was written by Pastor Steve Carr, Calvary Chapel, Arroyo Grande, CA. If we can be of any further assistance please contact us at www.calvaryag.org or ccag@calvaryag.org or (805) 481-2320.