The Way Of Christ - The Way Of Love

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                          "THE WAY OF CHRIST"

                            The Way Of Love

INTRODUCTION

1. The Way Of Christ is also the way of love beginning with...
   a. The love of God, sending His Son to die for our sins - Jn 3:16
   b. The love of Jesus, willing to die for our sins - Jn 15:13

2. The two Greek words most commonly translated "love" are agape and
   philia...
   a. It is common to make the following distinction
      1) agape - active good will, as that which is commanded
      2) philia - fondness, heartfelt affection, as that which cannot be
         forced
   b. Yet the distinction between the two is not always clear cut
      1) agape - can also be defined as "brotherly love, affection"
         - Thayer, Strong
      2) philia - often commanded in the Scriptures - cf. Ro 12:10; 1Co
         16:22

[As we examine more closely the way of love, we learn that both "active
good will" and "heartfelt affection" are fundamental to The Way Of
Christ.  Indeed, consider how we are taught to love...]

I. THE WAY OF LOVE TAUGHT

   A. TO LOVE GOD AND JESUS...
      1. We are to love (agape) God heart, soul, mind, and strength - Mk
         12:30
      2. We are to love (philia) Jesus, more than family - 1Co 16:22; Mt
         10:37
      -- The greatest command of the Law, reinforced in the Gospel

   B. TO LOVE OUR BRETHREN...
      1. We are to love (agape) one another as Christ loved us - Jn
         13:34-35
      2. We are to be kindly affectionate (philostorgos, love of family)
         to one another with brotherly love (philadelphia, fraternal
         affection) - Ro 12:10
      -- With brotherly love that is affectionate and demonstrative to
         others

   C. TO LOVE OUR FAMILIES...
      1. Husbands are to love (agape) their wives (which includes to
         cherish) - Ep 5:25,28-29
      2. Wives are to love (philandros, to love as a friend) their
         husbands - Tit 2:4
      3. Mothers are to love their children (philoteknos, to be fond of
         one's children) - Tit 2:4
      -- With heartfelt affection that should only be natural in
         families

   D. TO LOVE NEIGHBORS AND ENEMIES...
      1. We are commanded to love (agape) our neighbor - Mk 12:31
      2. We are commanded to love (agape) our enemies - Mt 5:44
      -- With active good will that allows no distinction between friend
         and foe

[As followers of The Way of Christ, we are certainly to be a loving
people!  But where our love is weak, how can it be made stronger...?]

II. THE WAY OF LOVE LEARNED

   A. TAUGHT BY GOD...
      1. Concerning brotherly love (philadelphia) to love one another
         (agape) - 1Th 4:9
      2. By way of example (how He sent His Son) - 1Jn 4:9-10; Ro 5:8
      -- God teaches us how to love one another

   B. TAUGHT BY JESUS...
      1. By way of example (how He was willing to die for us) - 1Jn 3:16
      2. How He loved (philia and agape) His disciples - Jn 11:3,5
         (Lazarus, Mary, Martha); Jn 13:1,34 (the disciples); Jn 13:23;
         20:2 (John)
      -- Jesus teaches us how to love one another

   C. TAUGHT BY PAUL...
      1. Who expounded on the qualities of love - 1Co 13:4-8
      2. Who taught Christians how to walk in love - Ep 5:1-2
      3. Who taught husbands how to love their wives - Ep 5:25-33
      4. Who practiced brotherly love (agapetos, beloved, dear) - cf.
         Php 4:1
      -- Paul teaches us how to love in word and example

   D. TAUGHT BY PETER...
      1. Who taught us to love one another (philia and agape) fervently
         - 1Pe 1:22; 4:8
      2. Who taught us to love (agape) the brotherhood, as brethren
         (philadelphos) - 1Pe 2:17; 3:8
      3. Who practiced brotherly love (agapetos, beloved, dear) - cf.
         2Pe 3:15
      -- Peter teaches us how to love in word and example

   E. TAUGHT BY OTHER CHRISTIANS...
      1. Older women should be capable of teaching the younger women
         - Tit 2:3-4
      2. Even young Christians can set an example of how to love - 1Ti
         4:12; 2Th 1:3
      -- Brethren (young and old) can teach us to love one another

CONCLUSION

1. What is The Way Of Christ when it comes to love...?
   a. It is heartfelt affection toward God and man
   b. It is active good will toward everyone

2. Where we lack heartfelt affection and active good will...
   a. We need to acknowledge the deficiency (as an indication of
      spiritual immaturity)
   b. We need to be willing to learn how to love

3. When we need to learn to love others with a heartfelt love...
   a. Look to the Father, to Jesus, to the apostles, and to other
      Christians
   b. Take the initiative to practice active good will, and heartfelt
      affection will develop naturally

We have been born again, purified to have unfeigned, affectionate love
for one another (philadelphia). Do we love one another (agape) fervently
as we should, while walking in The Way Of Christ...? - cf. 1Pe 1:22-23
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