The love of Christ – What is it?
The phrase "love of Christ" used in the New Testament refers to His love for humanity. Jesus shows His love toward us in many ways, ultimately proving it through His death and resurrection from the dead.First, the love of Christ is shown through Jesus coming from heaven to earth. John 1:14 teaches that, "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth."
Second, Jesus experienced temptation, yet did not sin: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin" (Hebrews 4:15).
Third, Jesus endured being betrayed by a close follower. Luke 22:3-4 shares, "Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them."
Fourth, the love of Christ was shown through the pain Jesus suffered in His beatings and death upon the cross. Romans 5:8 teaches, "God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
The phrase "love of Christ" is used three times in the New Testament and reveals additional aspects of His love for us. First, Romans 8:35 asks, "Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?" Verses 38-39 answer, "For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Second Corinthians 5:14-15 share how the love of Christ changes our lives: "For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised." The love of Christ controls how we live in showing love to others.
Finally, knowing the love of Christ helps us to be filled with the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19 shares, "that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God."
The love of Christ is seen in many ways, including the changes that take place in our own lives. His love in us allows us to show love to others, impacting people with the love of Christ everywhere we go.
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