• 1 John 5:1-3
    Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
     
  • John 13:34-35
    A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
     
  • 1 John 3:16-18
    By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
     
  • John 14:15
    "If you love Me, keep My commandments.
     
  • 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
    Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
     
  • John 15:13
    Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.
     
  • 1 John 3:10-11
    In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,
     
For more scripture references, please see Bible verses for Love as Action


Resources

Love's Basic Definition

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Love, as revealed in the essence of God, is not merely a feeling but a profound action that defines the very nature of knowing Him. The love of God is shown through keeping His commandments, an act that proves one's connection to Him. Without this love, there is no true knowledge of God, and without knowing Him, eternal life …


Love God, Love Neighbor

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The love of God is not merely a sentiment or an abstract idea; it is a dynamic force expressed through actions. From the very beginning, God's love was shown in deeds, as He created angels, matter, and humanity out of His desire to share His love with others. His plan to bring many into His family was an outworking of this love, …


Love's Emotional Dimension

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Love, as revealed in Scripture, is fundamentally an action, not merely a sentiment or emotion. It is the act directed toward the well-being of others, reflecting God's nature, for everything He does is in love. God's love, known as agape , is manifested through His acts, most profoundly in the giving of His Son as a sacrifice …


The Fruit of the Spirit: Love

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Love is an action in the biblical sense. None of these thoughts or feelings become love until the thought or feeling motivates a person to act. Obedience to God is the proof of love. Obedience is an action that submits to a command of God, a principle revealed in His Word, or an example of God or the godly. Keeping the …


First Love (Part Two)

Bible Study by Martin G. Collins

Christ's rebuke to the Ephesian church in Revelation 2:4 highlights their departure from their first, God-centered love, settling for a mechanical devotion despite their doctrinal purity and diligent labor. He emphasizes that true love, referred to as protos agape , is more than mere affection; it is an action. The good works, …


Love Thy Neighbor (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Love as action appears in the joining of the two great commandments, where loving one's neighbor as oneself completes love for God. This action is given through service to God's creation, especially those made in His image. Biblical love is primarily an action given, as seen when the Samaritan took pity, showed compassion, and …


Loving Christ and Revelation 2:1-7

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Love is working and active when the commandments are kept. This is the love of God that one keep His commandments. When the commandments are kept love is expressed. It is working. It is in action. If love for Christ diminishes the keeping of the commandments becomes less frequent. The right works begin to diminish. If love is …


Biblical Loves

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Agape connotes acting in love or giving on another's behalf. Agape indicates love that is deep-seated, thoroughgoing, intelligent, and purposeful. In agape the entire personality plays a prominent part, with the mind and the will joining the emotions. Agape is a purposeful and conscientious way of living. One decides to do the …



For more resources, please see the library topic for Love as Action