Biblical Descriptions of Love: What Love Is and Is Not

HOW THE BIBLE DESCRIBES THE LOVE CHRISTIANS OUGHT TO HAVE

1.) – Love is the polar opposite of hate in its feelings, attitudes and actions (Matthew 6:24; John 12:25; 15:18-19; Hebrews 1:9).
2.) – Love burns strongly as a flame of fire that cannot be quenched (Song of Solomon 8:6, 7).
3.) – Love is priceless and cannot be purchased with money or material possessions (Song of Solomon 8:7).
4.) – Love is the fulfilling of the Law of God (Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 13:8-10; Galatians 5:14).
5.) – Love is willing to rebuke, correct or discipline people who are wrong or disorderly (Proverbs 13:24; 27:5, 6; Hebrews 12:4-11; Revelation 3:19).
6.) – Love is the identifying mark of true Christian believers, who love one another (John 13:34, 35).
7.) – Love does not do harm or evil to one's neighbor (Romans 13:10).
8.) – Love values and respects both God and man (Mark 12:32, 33).
9.) – Love treats other people the way it desires to be treated (Matthew 7:12).
10.) – Love conquers all through God who loves the saints (Romans 8:35-39).
11.) – Love edifies or builds up a person (1 Corinthians 8:1).
12.) – Love validates spiritual gifts and acts of charity (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).
13.) – Love is patient or longsuffering (1 Corinthians 13:4).
14.) – Love is kind (1 Corinthians 13:4).
15.) – Love does not envy (1 Corinthians 13:4).
16.) – Love does not parade itself (1 Corinthians 13:4).
17.) – Love is not puffed up with pride or conceit (1 Corinthians 13:4).
18.) – Love does not behave rudely or indecently (1 Corinthians 13:5).
19.) – Love does not seek its own interests; love is unselfish (1 Corinthians 13:5).
20.) – Love is not easily provoked (1 Corinthians 13:5).
21.) – Love does not keep a record of wrongs; love forgives (1 Corinthians 13:5)
22.) – Love does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth (1 Corinthians 13:6).
23.) – Love never gives up (1 Corinthians 13:7).
24.) – Love never loses faith (1 Corinthians 13:7).
25.) – Love is always hopeful (1 Corinthians 13:7).
26.) – Love endures through every circumstance (1 Corinthians 13:7).
27.) – Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8).
28.) – Love is greater than faith and hope (1 Corinthians 13:13).
29.) – Love is of the fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23).
30.) – Love is the bond of perfection (Colossians 3:14).
31.) – Love covers the multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8; Proverbs 10:12).
32.) – Love is a sign that a person knows God; because love comes from God, and God is love (1 John 4:7, 8).
33.) – Love casts out fear; there is no fear in love (1 John 4:18; 2 Timothy 1:7).
34.) – Love is self-sacrificing. A loving person is willing to risk their life to save their loved ones (John 15:13).
35.) – Love is founded upon honesty, sincerity and an adherence to absolute, objective moral principles that distinguish good from evil, right from wrong (Romans 12:9).
36.) – Love toward God, or the lack thereof, is reflected in one's attitudes and actions toward one's neighbor and/or fellow believers (1 John 4:20, 21).
37.) – Love can be unconditional and can be expressed toward enemies (Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:27-36; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:9, 10).
38.) – Love should pervade all of one's words and actions, otherwise they are unprofitable (1 Corinthians 13:1-3; 1 Corinthians 16:14; Ephesians 4:15; Hebrews 10:24).

I made this post in response to many church congregations having a serious problem with hatred toward both nonbelievers and fellow believers alike. It is my hope that all of us will read this checklist list about biblical love and examine ourselves to see whether we truly express the biblical love of God. We must examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5). If we are deficient in any of these marks of biblical love, then we should repent and make corrections wherever necessary, for the glory of God and for the benefit of all who interact with us.