Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the triune God express their attribute of love. God is love, He first loved us. He sent His Son Lord Jesus Christ into this world. The love of God is poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. (I John 4:16; John 3:16; Romans 5:5) God has commanded His followers to love others as themselves, known as the Royal Law. (Mark 12:31) The poet W.H. Auden: “Only God could ask human beings to ‘love your crooked neighbor with your crooked heart.’ Yes, it is difficult, but God transforms a person to love others selflessly.
Love strangers: Showing love and hospitality to strangers is expected from Christian disciples. (Hebrews 13:2) It is not a natural trait, as people like to prefer their own and are indifferent to strangers. The Good Samaritan parable teaches how a man in need should be helped by crossing national, religious, ethnic, linguistic, and class barriers. (Luke 10:25-37)
Love disciples: Apostle John wrote that believers who walk in the light will love other believers. (I John 4:20) Christian disciples ought to be global in their outlook, interaction, and behavior. They ought to love disciples irrespective of their social (caste), economic status, national, linguistic, and denominational background.
Love Sinners: Lord Jesus Christ was mocked and teased by the Jewish religious elite as: ‘Friend of tax collectors and sinners.’ (Matthew 11:19) Lord Jesus associated with those who were marginalized in the society including lepers. God loves sinners and hates sin. Unless disciples love sinners, they cannot share the gospel of love.
Love Spouse: Only the Bible commands a husband to love his wife. No other religion teaches this. A husband is expected to love his wife sacrificially as Lord Jesus Christ loved the Church and died for it. (Ephesians 5:25)
Love enemies: Lord Jesus taught and demonstrated to love enemies, pray for persecutors, and forgive them. (Matthew 5:44) If the enemy is hungry, disciples are called to feed them; if the enemy is thirsty, quench his thirst. (Romans 12:20)
Do I love others and fulfill the Golden Royal Law?