Abiding in Love

Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law? And Jesus replied to him, YOU SHALL 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. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others]. The whole Law and the [writings of the] Prophets depend on these two commandments.(Matthew 22:36-40) The Lord emphasises that they are commandments centred on loving God and our neighbour. All else is far from the true purpose of the Law established by God and His Prophets. The person who continues in love is also continuing in God. In other words, love for God and others is the way to remain growing in the Lord. We have come to know [by personal observation and experience], and have believed [with deep, consistent faith] the love which God has for us. God is love, and the one who abides in love abides in God, and God abides continually in him.(1John 4:16)

Saying and claiming to love with your mouth and your tongue is invalid unless you show it in action which makes it true.

Little children (believers, dear ones), let us not love [merely in theory] with word or with tongue [giving lip service to compassion], but in action and in truth [in practice and in sincerity, because practical acts of love are more than words]. (1John 3:18) Love is to be sincere and active [the real thing—without guile and hypocrisy]. Hate what is evil [detest all ungodliness, do not tolerate wickedness]; hold on tightly to what is good. (Romans 12:9)