How To Love Others According To The Bible

Loving others is central to being a follower of Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).

If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: the Bible teaches us to love others through forgiving others, serving others, being patient and kind, speaking truth, and sacrificing for others.

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore in detail what the Bible says about how to love others and provide practical application on living it out in daily life.

Forgive Others

When it comes to loving others, forgiveness is essential. The Bible has much to say about forgiving those who wrong us. As Ephesians 4:32 (NIV) states, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

Forgiveness allows relationships to heal and makes way for restored fellowship with God and others.

Overlook Minor Offenses

No one is perfect, so minor issues are bound to come up in relationships from time to time. According to Proverbs 19:11 (NLT), “Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.” Rather than stew over petty annoyances, we can choose to let them go and maintain harmony.

Extending grace reflects God’s mercy towards us.

Forgive Major Offenses

When someone sins greatly against us, forgiveness often seems impossible. But holding onto bitterness only harms us, not the offender. Jesus set the supreme example of forgiveness when He prayed for His executioners, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

By His power, we can release even substantial offenses. Colossians 3:13 (ESV) says, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Reconciliation may not always occur, but we find freedom by forgiving.

Forgive Others As God Has Forgiven You

God’s forgiveness towards us is complete and unconditional. He does not hold our past mistakes over us but removes our transgressions “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). We must extend similar grace to others.

Jesus tells a parable equating one’s forgiveness from God with one’s forgiveness of others in Matthew 18:23-35. If God has released us from the astronomical debt of sin, how can we withhold forgiveness for comparatively small offenses from others?

As 1 John 4:11 (NIV) states, “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” By freely forgiving, we live out God’s lavish love.

Forgiveness is an essential part of learning to love one another as Scripture commands. It may not come quickly or easily, but as we grow in grace, we can develop a forgiving heart – one that reflects God’s limitless compassion.

Releasing hurts enables all relationships – with God, others, and even ourselves – to flourish.

Serve Others

Serve Others With Grace and Humility

Serving others with humility means putting their needs before our own without expecting anything in return (Luke 14:12-14). We should serve cheerfully and willingly, not out of mere obligation (2 Corinthians 9:7).

Jesus provided the perfect example of humble service by washing His disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17). When serving, we must guard against self-righteous pride and truly esteem others above ourselves (Philippians 2:3).

Some ways to serve with humility include:

• Volunteering at a homeless shelter or food bank.
• Preparing meals for sick church members.
• Visiting elderly neighbors and assisting with chores.
• Putting others’ preferences before our own.

Look to Meet Practical Needs

God calls us not just to serve in spiritual ways but also to meet pressing physical needs (James 2:14-17). Jesus often healed the sick and fed the hungry when ministering. We should be on the lookout for practical ways to serve others.

Some ideas include:

• Giving rides to those without transportation.
• Tutoring struggling students.
• Providing childcare for busy families.
• Cooking meals for new parents.
• Visiting elderly and helping with housework.

Meeting practical needs opens doors to share God’s love. As St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.”

Serve All People Regardless of Background

Jesus served people from all walks of life – rich and poor, men and women, Jews and Gentiles. As His followers, we are called to serve all people, even those different than us or outside our social circles.

We should serve with open arms, not judging who is “deserving” of help or limiting our outreach to people like us. As Galatians 3:28 states, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Some ways to serve all people include:

• Volunteering with immigrant aid organizations.
• Tutoring youth in underserved neighborhoods.
• Delivering groceries to both wealthy and disadvantaged areas.
• Refusing to discriminate in who we help based on race, gender, age, etc.

By serving anyone God puts in our path, we demonstrate His impartial and generous love.

Be Patient and Kind

Be Slow to Anger

Getting angry quickly can damage relationships and make situations worse. The Bible advises us to be slow to anger. “A man of quick temper acts foolishly, but a man of discretion is patient.” (Proverbs 14:17) When we feel ourselves getting upset, it’s wise to take a step back, breathe deeply, and respond calmly instead of lashing out.

The Bible tells a story about Moses getting angry but then controlling himself: “And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses’ anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain.

But he took the calf the people had made and burned it in the fire; then he ground it to powder, scattered it on the water and made the Israelites drink it.” (Exodus 32:19-20) Though Moses was angry, he channeled that energy into taking constructive action instead of doing something rash he might regret.

Bear With One Another

Because we are all imperfect people, those around us will inevitably do things that upset or annoy us. The Bible tells us to “bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

(Colossians 3:13) Extending patience and grace reflects the patience and grace God has given us.

Bearing with others also means not being too harsh or quick to judge them: “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” (James 1:19) We should listen empathetically instead of making assumptions.

Speak Gently and With Care

The words we choose can either build others up or tear them down. The Bible says “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”

(Ephesians 4:29) Speaking gently and with care shows love.

The Bible also reminds us that “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverbs 18:21) Our words have immense power. Choosing them wisely and speaking gently can make an enormous difference.

Speak the Truth in Love

Speak Truth to Build Others Up

Speaking the truth in love is vital for healthy relationships according to the Bible. When sharing difficult truths, we must do so with the motivation of building others up, not tearing them down (Ephesians 4:29).

This requires us to share truth gently, considering the other person’s perspective and feelings. The goal should be restoration, not harm (Galatians 6:1).

For example, if a fellow Christian is struggling with addiction, we can lovingly speak truth to them about the destructiveness of sin, God’s power to heal and restore, and the value He places on their life. We point them to hope in Christ. This shows we genuinely care about their well-being.

Speaking truth with grace and compassion allows it to be better received (Proverbs 15:1).

Correct Gently and With Compassion

When correcting or rebuking others, the Bible instructs us to do so gently and with an attitude of humility, considering ourselves lest we also be tempted (Galatians 6:1). We should take the log out of our own eye before removing the speck from our brother’s eye (Matthew 7:5).

This requires prayerful discernment to know when, how, and if we are the right person to offer correction. Our motives must be pure, not self-righteous. We correct out of love, doing so privately at first and giving space and time for change (Matthew 18:15-17).

Harsh criticism often backfires, hardening hearts instead of leading to repentance.

Jesus is our model in balancing grace and truth, demonstrating compassion while also calling people to repentance. As His followers, we are called to reflect His heart.

Speak Truth Even When Difficult

Though uncomfortable, there are times we must speak truth even on hard topics like sin, deception, or false teaching. Jesus confronted religious hypocrisy. Paul challenged wrong doctrine publically. We are called to expose deeds of darkness (Ephesians 5:11).

But our motivation must be protecting the vulnerable, upholding truth, and restoring the fallen – not pride, malice, or causing harm.

Standing for truth requires wisdom and discernment. Our delivery and tone matter greatly. Speaking truth may cost social standing or bring persecution, so we must rely on the Spirit for courage and grace (Matthew 5:11, Acts 4:29). We are to honor Christ above all else (1 Peter 3:15).

Walking in love as Jesus did requires we speak truth – but always seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6). This brings life and restoration.

Sacrifice for Others

Put Others Interests Above Your Own

Jesus teaches that we should not live for ourselves, but rather focus on the needs and interests of others (Philippians 2:4). This means being willing to sacrifice our own comfort, resources, and desires to serve and care for people in practical ways.

For example, we could volunteer at a homeless shelter, donate money to a good cause, or simply help a neighbor in need. As Galatians 5:13 states, “Serve one another humbly in love.”

Putting others first demonstrates Christ’s love in action (1 John 3:16-18). It reflects His ultimate sacrifice on the cross for our salvation. When we consistently put others ahead of our own interests in small ways, it becomes a lifestyle of selfless love.

Be Willing to Suffer for Doing Good

The Bible commends those who are willing to suffer while doing good deeds (1 Peter 2:19-21). Though incredibly difficult at times, suffering can refine our faith and allow God’s light to shine through us.

As we choose to serve despite personal cost, we emulate Jesus who endured the cross to redeem mankind.

We may face ridicule, loss, or persecution for living out godly principles and meeting others’ needs. Yet as 2 Timothy 3:12 declares, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” When we suffer for righteousness, God promises to bless our obedience.

Lay Down Your Life for Friends

Jesus said the greatest love is shown when someone lays down their life for a friend (John 15:13). Martyrdom is not necessarily expected of all followers, but a willingness to sacrifice oneself for others demonstrates Christ-like love.

Even if not called to physically die for friends, we can live sacrificially each day by serving, giving, and putting their interests first.

The early church flourished because believers laid down their lives for one another, meeting practical needs and facing persecution side-by-side (Acts 2:42-47). We follow their lead when we offer our time, resources, and energy to care for fellow Christians.

In a world marked by selfishness and self-preservation, sacrificial love stands out. As the Bible reminds us, “If you offer yourselves to the Lord, you must offer your love to your brothers and sisters too” (2 Corinthians 8:5 CEB).

Our lives can powerfully reflect Jesus when we lay them down to serve others.

Conclusion

Loving others is not always easy, but God promises to equip and help us love others as He has loved us. As we grow in loving those around us – by forgiving, serving, being patient and kind, speaking truth, and sacrificing – we will become more like Christ.

Our relationships will be marked by grace, our communities will be transformed, and we will fulfill the greatest commandments.

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can follow Jesus’ model of radical, selfless love that puts others first. Our world desperately needs to see that kind of love in action.