What Does Biblical Love Look Like?

Welcome!!

This is my second article in a three-part mini-series on bearing the fruit of love. In my last post, we discussed the importance of obeying God’s command to love Him and love others. If you missed it, read it HERE before scrolling down.

Today’s post will focus on the attributes of love as I answer the question, “What does biblical love look like?”

What Does Biblical Love Look Like?

Jesus is our Perfect Example of Love

Jesus commands us to love others as He loves us, and He loves us sacrificially and unconditionally. He willingly shed His blood and gave His life on the cross for us (John 15:12-13). While Jesus was physically on earth, He exemplified God’s love. Jesus showed His love for God by obeying Him. (See John 6:38; 12:49-50; 14:30-31; 15:10.)

Jesus showed compassion to people. He did not isolate Himself from crowds or turn a blind eye to people’s needs by selfishly enforcing His personal space or “me time.” Jesus understood the difference between true rest (which we all need) and self-centeredness. He replenished Himself through prayer (Matthew 14:22-23) and rest. But He also knew when to give up His rest in favor of serving others (Mark 6:30-34).

It was out of love and compassion that Jesus:

Healed the sick – Matthew 14:14
Fed 4000 hungry men (besides women and children) – Matthew 15:32; Mark 8:2
Healed the blind – Matthew 20:34
Taught the crowd and later fed the 5000 – Mark 6:34-44

Therefore, just like Jesus, our love for each other should be self-giving and not self-centered. We are to be more concerned about the well-being of others than our comfort. Laying down our lives for others as Jesus did for us (1 John 3:16-18).

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved childrenand walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2

Ten Characteristics of Biblical Love

Here are ten characteristics of love pulled from the New Testament. As you go through the list, ask the Holy Spirit to show you areas where you need to grow and develop in. The good news is that although none of us will score a perfect 100%, we can all grow and mature in love (Philippians 1:9; 2 Thessalonians 1:3).

Love…
1	honors others	Romans 12:9-10
2	is sincere and pure	Romans 12:9; 1 Peter 1:22
3	never harms anyone	Romans 13:10
4	is humble, gentle, and patient	Ephesians 4:2
5	gives freely	2 Corinthians 8:24; 1 John 3:17
6	serves others	Galatians 5:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:3; Hebrews 6:10
7	promotes unity	Philippians 2:2; Colossians 2:2; 3:14
8	forgives	1 Peter 4:8
9	is expressed in our actions	1 John 3:18
10	overcomes fear	1 John 4:18

1 Corinthians 13 – The Love Chapter

However, when it comes to studying and meditating on the characteristics of biblical love, the singular chapter that captures it the best is 1 Corinthians 13. Below is Apostle Paul’s rendition of the God-kind of love from 1 Corinthians 13: 4-8a

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”

Using the NIV, we see that there are eight things that love does and eight things that love does not do.

	What Love Does	What Love Does Not Do
1	patient	does not envy
2	kind	does not boast
3	rejoices with the truth	Is not proud
4	always protects	does not dishonor others
5	always trusts	Is not self-seeking
6	always hopes	Is not easily angered
7	always perseveres	keeps no record of wrongs
8	never fails	does not delight in evil

Love Everyone, Every Time

We are to do everything in love (1 Corinthians 16:14). And everything really means everything – talking, working, eating, playing, training, correcting, etc.

And we should exhibit these characteristics, not only to those who are kind and loving towards us but even to our enemies. Jesus commands us to love the people who irritate us, get on our last nerve, disrespect us, and even try to harm us (Matthew 5:43-44). Now, this does not mean that we open the door and invite disaster and danger to dine with us, but it means that we extend grace, forgiveness, and patience where it was lacking. We pray for our enemies and resist retaliation. We do not curse them and call down thunder to zap them out (Luke 6:35).

A few years ago, I read and re-read 1 Corinthians 13 almost daily for over a month in response to a challenge given by a Pastor. I invite you to read, listen, and meditate on this chapter consistently for as long as it takes for God’s love to transform you and show up in your actions in greater dimensions. Consider using different versions of the Bible on different days for comparison, depth of study, and to gain a richer understanding of the text.

Prayer

Father, help us take Your command seriously to walk in love toward everyone. As we study and meditate on Your Word, fill us with an understanding of what You require of us. Give us Your grace and resolve to walk in obedience daily as we pursue loving as Christ did so that people around us will be drawn to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen!!

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

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