What Does The Bible Say About Love?
Love is an integral part of our lives and is often expressed through words or through action. But how do we define love? The Bible provides us with a clear answer to this question, which can be found in 1 Corinthians 13. It is here that we learn that love is patient, kind, and never fails.
At its core, love is characteristic of a godly heart and is based on the law and commands of God. Within the Bible, we not only find commands for us to love God and our neighbour, but also descriptions of what true love looks like in practice. This can be seen in the story of Ruth; a young widow who chooses to remain with her mother-in-law at a time in which it was not socially acceptable. In her story, we can see the examples of how to love sacrificially, faithfully and how to accept that even in hard times, love can remain strong.
In the New Testament, Romans 12:9 instructs us to ‘Love must be sincere.hate what is evil; cling to what is good’. This verse shows us how to love while also being discerning. As Christians, we should be aware that there are certain situations where love needs to be shown in a different way; such as in situations of despair and brokenness, where love may mean challenging the status quo, bearing one another’s burdens, or breaking down the barriers of prejudice.
Likewise, 1 Peter 4:8 tells us ‘Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.’ In this verse, we can see the power of love, and how it has the ability to heal even the most broken of hearts. But love is also sacrificial and requires us to serve others selflessly and without expecting anything in return. We can look at Jesus’ actions of love for us on the cross as an example of how to love sacrificially.
Love is not only expressed in deeds but is also spoken in our words. Colossians 3:16 reminds us of the importance of our words, particularly when it is connected with love. It teaches us that our words should be filled with grace, kindness, and compassion. Additionally, Jesus taught in John 3:16 that ‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.’ From this passage, we become aware of the immense depth of God’s love for us, and how it transcends any human understanding.
What Does The Bible Say About Gentleness?
Gentleness is a beautiful quality that is often overlooked and underrated in our culture. However, the Bible holds gentleness close to its heart, providing us with examples of how we can express it through our everyday lives.
Ephesians 4:2 teaches us that ‘Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.’ Here we can see that gentleness is closely connected to patience and love. This passage highlights the importance of being humble in our interactions with others and how being gentle is an essential part of being a good person.
In 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Paul instructs us to ‘Be patient…be gentle’. Here we are reminded that when we have disagreements, it does not mean that we should become angry and aggressive. Instead, we should be gentle in our dealings and strive to understand the other point of view.
Whether it is a small action such as holding the door open for someone, or a bigger act of kindness of caring for others in our community, gentleness should always remain at the forefront of our thoughts and actions. We can look to Jesus himself as an example of how to be gentle, even in difficult situations. In Matthew 14:14, He shows compassion and mercy towards the disciples when they make a mistake, guiding them down the right path with gentleness.
The bible also gives us advice on how to express gentleness towards an enemy, which can be found in Proverbs 25:21 ‘If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink’. Here we learn that gentleness goes beyond treating those with whom we are close, and must also be extended to those who are seen as enemies.
What Does The Bible Say About Joy?
The Bible has a lot to say about joy and highlights the importance of having joy and peace in our lives. A great example of this is found in Psalm 16:11, which states ‘You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand’. Here we can see the connection between joy and the presence of God in our lives.
In Galatians 5:22, we learn that ‘The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control’. Here we can see that joy is closely connected to the other fruit of the spirit, and that they must be expressed in unison in order to have a truly joyous life.
Philippians 4:4 reads ‘Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!’. This verse shows us how joy is more than just a feeling, but is a state of mind. We learn that no matter what hardships and trials come our way we can still have hope and joy, because of the promise and presence of God.
In James 1:2, we are encouraged ‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds’. Here we learn to look upon difficulties in our lives as an opportunity for growth, and to see the good in every situation.
Finally, Romans 15:13 reminds us ‘May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit’. Here, we are told to trust in the power of the Holy Spirit and to have confidence in God, in order to have joy and peace in our lives.
What Does The Bible Say About Faithfulness?
The Bible speaks a lot about faithfulness, and the importance of being faithful to God and to our fellow humans. In Psalm 25:3, we read ‘No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause’. Here we are reminded that faithfulness is seen as a sign of righteousness, whereas unfaithfulness becomes a source of shame.
In Proverbs 28:20, we learn that ‘A faithful person will be richly blessed’. Here we can see the connection between faithfulness and being blessed. This passage is a reminder that we can reap many blessings if we remain faithful to God, and to our neighbours.
The New Testament shares many examples of faithfulness, which can be seen in the stories of both the Old and New Testament disciples. We can look to the story of Jesus and his disciples, to learn how Jesus’ faithfulness to his Father, despite difficult circumstances, was an important lesson in faithfulness for all of us.
But faithfulness is also an important quality to have in regards to our relationships. 1 Corinthians 13:4 reminds us that ‘Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonour 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.’ This passage highlights the importance of having faithfulness in our relationships, and how it can help us to create loving and lasting bonds with others.
What Does The Bible Say About Humility?
Humility is a quality seen throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testament. Ephesians 4:2 teaches us that ‘Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.’ From this passage, we can see that humility and gentleness are closely related, and that they are integral parts of living a godly life.
James 4:10 states ‘Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up’. Here we can see the power of humility, and how God uses it to bless us and to lift us up in His presence.
Philippians 2:3 reads ‘Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves’. This is a reminder that humility is not about thinking lowly of ourselves, but of others. Here we are reminded to serve others out of love, rather than for recognition or for personal gain.
In Matthew 18:4, Jesus teaches us ‘Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven’. This passage highlights the importance of having humility, even in difficult situations. We can learn from this that even though there may be times in life where we are tempted to become arrogant or selfish, we can still choose to respond with humility, and that this quality is ultimately what makes us great.
Finally, Proverbs 22:4 states ‘Humility is the fear of the Lord, and its wages are riches and honour and life.’ Here, we learn that humility is reflective of being in the presence of God and that it has the power to bring us abundance and joy in our lives.
What Does The Bible Say About Patience?
Patience is an important quality to have in life, and the Bible shows us that it is essential for living a Godly life. Proverbs 16:32 tells us ‘Patience is better than power, and controlling one’s temper, than capturing a city’. Here, we learn that patience is stronger than strength and is not achieved through brute force.
James 1:19-20 reads ‘My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.’ Here, we learn to be patient in our conversations, and to avoid jumping to conclusions or being quick to become angry.
In Romans 12:12, Paul instructs us to ‘Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.’ Here we are reminded to be patient in times of suffering, and to have faith in God, that He will ultimately bring us joy and peace.
1 Thessalonians 5:14 highlights this idea as well, stating ‘Be patient… be kind’. This verse reminds us that patience and kindness must go together, and that one cannot be expressed without the other.
Finally, Psalm 37:7 states ‘Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him.’ Here we learn to trust in the Lord and to have patience, even in difficult situations. This verse reminds us that God’s plans are ultimately better than ours, and that patience has the power to give us hope and joy.
