By TONY HOSS

There is no doubt that many will find this question too odd, some may even see it as an unnecessary question. However, there are many who do not know what scriptural love is; in fact, many do not understand all that scriptural love entails. Consider the following:
Scriptural love is that which causes people to sometimes do things that they may not want to do. One example may be the punishment that parents may have to administer to a child. Solomon wrote, “He that spareth his rod hateth his son: but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes” (Pro 13:24 KJV). Christian parents may not like punishing their children, but they know that it is necessary. In our modern world it is very unpopular to discipline children; contrary to biblical teaching many people stand opposed to those parents who properly administer punishment to their children. We should realize that proper love yields much needed discipline. Jesus reminds us that those who obey Jesus are the ones that love Him. Jesus said, “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him” (John 14:21 KJV).
Scriptural love is also a motivating factor in our obedience to God’s commands. The Bible makes this point clear. Jesus said, “…If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23 KJV). See also John 14:15; 1 John 5:2-3. We should understand that obedience to God’s commands is the only evidence that the world sees of our great love for God.
The excellence of love also prevents the child of God from doing harm to his neighbor. Paul said, “Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law” (Rom 13:10 KJV). See also Matt. 22:39. We should see that proper love of our neighbor is that which springs from our love of God. This type of love encourages us to seek the best for our neighbors in benevolence, charity and fairness. In connection with this aspect of love we learn that Christians are to serve one another in love (Gal. 5:13, James 2:5-7; 1 John 3:16-19). These are but a few of the aspects of love. I would encourage everyone to study proper love in the Bible. Paul teaches that love is the bond of perfectness (Colossians 3:14). Love is that which unites all things together (Eph. 4:3). Love is the thing that binds together the other Christian graces that are taught throughout the scriptures (2 Peter 1:5-11).
The Bible teaches that there is an inseparable connection between Love and God’s commandments. This is seen in Jesus’s statement in John 14:15, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” There is an inseparable relationship between love and God’s commandments. Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). According to 1 John 5:3, true love of God is when we keep his commands.
There is no comparison to what many call love and what God defines as love. Our world would be a better place if all men would strive to learn and exhibit proper Christian love.
(Questions/Answers is provided by Tony Hoss, Minister at Centerview Church of Christ, Elizabethton. He can be contacted at 423-737-2287 or by email: tmagho1@comcast net)