Love

  • One in Spirit

    Ephesians 4:2-3

    We cannot sacrifice truth for the sake of a superficial visible unity, which is an error evident in the liberal arm of the ecumenical movement. Still, we should not think that all efforts at visible church unity represent liberalism, for ...Read More

  • Paul’s Love for His Audience

    Philippians 2:17–18

    Our love for those who minister to us should be part of what motivates our obedience to the Lord. As we grow in holiness, we help to show our pastors, Sunday school teachers, and other church leaders that their labor ...Read More

  • Paul’s Love for the Philippians

    Philippians 1:7–8

    In many ways, it is easier to pray or to give to various churches and ministries instead of doing both. How often do we pray for other believers and gospel defenders without responding to their need for financial support? How ...Read More

  • Paying the Cost

    Philemon 19-20

    In Philippians 2, Paul calls us to follow the example of Christ and put others ahead of ourselves. We seldom consider how our decisions and behavior will be regarded in the community of believers, but this should not be. Instead ...Read More

  • Perfect Love

    1 John 4:17–18

    In commenting on this verse, John Calvin writes, “though fear is not wholly shaken off, yet when we flee to God as to a quiet harbor, safe and free from all danger of shipwreck and of tempests, fear is really ...Read More

  • Receiving Onesimus

    Philemon 17-18

    John Calvin takes Paul’s willingness to help Onesimus be reconciled to Philemon as an example for us. The apostle, he writes, “warns us how affectionately we ought to aid a sinner who has given us proof of his repentance ...Read More

  • Selfless Love

    1 Corinthians 13:4-5

    Do you struggle with a short temper? Are you quick to exaggerate things and make the worst out of any and all circumstances? The antidote to these things is remembering the patience of our Creator. He did not wipe us ...Read More

  • Selfless Love

    1 Corinthians 13:4–5

    The hardest people to be courteous to are the people who know us the best. How often are we rude and irritable with our spouses and children even as we exercise a great deal of self-control with those who are ...Read More

  • The Beauty of Love

    Song of Solomon 5–6

    Dr. R.C. Sproul says in his series Wisdom: “There is nothing wrong with being in love. There is nothing wrong with extolling the beauty of our wives or of our husbands.” Husbands and wives, when was the last time ...Read More

  • The Bride and Her Husband

    Ephesians 5:22-33

    Jesus certainly loves us individually and justifies us via our personal faith in Him. However, the relationship between Christ and His bride is a relationship between the sovereign Lord and a corporate body. Jesus loves a people as His bride ...Read More

  • The Christian’s Conflicting Desires

    Philippians 1:21–24

    One commentator has wondered what it would mean for the church if we really acted on the reality that “to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” What if we more consistently conducted ourselves as if true life meant ...Read More

  • The Costs and Demands of Love

    Philemon 17-18

    Are you hesitating to do something that godly love compels you to do? If so, then may Philemon encourage you to stop putting it off and move forward today. Insofar as we are able, we must seek to be reconciled ...Read More

  • The First Commandment

    Exodus 20:1-3

    As we go through the Ten Commandments, take time to examine yourself, to see how you are breaking each command. Then take the opportunity to confess your sin and ask forgiveness in Christ. Remember that when you sin, Jesus is ...Read More

  • The Fullness of Christ’s Love

    Ephesians 3:17b-19

    If earthly families cannot be unified without the understanding and pursuit of love, how can we possibly think that true love for other believers is optional in the promotion of Christian unity? We are called to meditate on the depth ...Read More

  • The Greatest Commandments

    Matthew 22:34–40

    “We learn from this, that God does not rest satisfied with the outward appearance of works, but chiefly demands the inward feelings, that from a good root good fruits may grow” (John Calvin). Love is not primarily a feeling, but ...Read More