What Is Love?
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
— John 13:34
Love is one of the most common words in the world, yet it is often misunderstood. Jesus gives love its deepest meaning. According to Him, love is not merely a feeling but a way of living expressed through compassion, mercy, truth, forgiveness, and selfless service.
Love Is More Than a Feeling
Love is more than an emotion. Jesus teaches that love is a daily choice to seek the good of God and the good of others.
True love is shown through our words, our actions, our mercy, and our faithfulness. It is not based only on how we feel but on how we choose to live.
The Greatest Commandments
When asked which commandment is the greatest, Jesus answered:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
— Matthew 22:37–40
According to Jesus, these two commandments are the foundation of God’s will and summarize everything He calls us to live by.
How Jesus Loved
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus demonstrated perfect love by:
- Welcoming those who were rejected.
- Healing the sick.
- Forgiving sinners.
- Feeding the hungry.
- Comforting the brokenhearted.
- Showing compassion to those who suffered.
- Serving others with humility.
- Washing His disciples’ feet.
- Giving His life for the world.
His love was humble, merciful, faithful, selfless, and courageous.
Love Your Enemies
One of Jesus’ most challenging teachings is this:
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
— Matthew 5:44
It is easy to love those who love us.
Jesus calls His followers to love even those who oppose them, overcoming hatred with forgiveness, kindness, mercy, and prayer.
What Love Is Not
Love is not:
- Hatred
- Revenge
- Pride
- Selfishness
- Greed
- Violence
- Indifference
- Hypocrisy
Love seeks truth, justice, mercy, peace, and reconciliation.
Love in Action
Jesus teaches that love is expressed through action:
- Forgive others.
- Serve without seeking recognition.
- Show mercy.
- Care for the poor.
- Welcome strangers.
- Help those in need.
- Be faithful.
- Speak the truth with kindness.
- Treat others as you would want to be treated.
Love is something we practice every day.
The Golden Rule
Jesus said:
“In everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.”
— Matthew 7:12
This simple principle summarizes how love should guide every relationship.
The Greatest Sign of a Disciple
Jesus said:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
— John 13:35
According to Jesus, love is the clearest evidence of genuine discipleship.
Jesus Is the Perfect Example of Love
The life of Jesus is the perfect example of love.
His compassion, His mercy, His humility, His forgiveness, and His self-giving life reveal what love truly looks like.
To follow Jesus is to learn to love as He loved.
“As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
— John 13:34
“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love.”
— John 15:10
The best way to understand love is to know Jesus. Read the Gospels and discover His words, His life, and His invitation to love as He loved.