Love is basic to Christianity. In the New Testament love is often put in the superlative position. Love for God and love for neighbor are made the first and second greatest commandments. (Matthew 22:34-40) Peter in the list of Christian graces made love the climax. (2 Peter 1:5-7) Paul in the Corinthian letter said, “And now abideth faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Love must be demonstrated by our deeds. This is true of our love for God. John wrote: “This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.” (1 John 5:3) Jesus said, “If ye love, me keep my commandments.” And again, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.” (John 14:15,21)
Our love for one another must be seen in our actions. John wrote: “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (1John 3:18) The test of real LOVE is how we treat each other.
Claude