Sometimes as a believer it’s hard to love others when they’ve hurt you. That is why it’s so important to know how to love others according to the Bible.
The Bible makes it clear how much Jesus loves you and how in turn his love enables you to love others—despite how they’ve treated you. He demonstrates a radical way of living in love by putting yourself aside, and the importance of loving one another.
You are seen, known, understood and taken care of completely by him. You can release all the pain and hurt that others have caused you to him and then you, in turn, can more easily love with his agape love.
I haven’t always found it easy to love when I’ve been hurt. But when I know the truth that I am loved by Jesus—and that nothing can stop his love—I can choose to love also. And so can you.
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39, NIV)
What does the Bible say about love?
How does God describe love? The Bible makes it clear that “God is love.” He embodies love and is the essence of love.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7, NIV)
Love comes from him; in order to really show unconditional love to others, you need to know his love yourself.
Knowing the love God has for you will allow you to follow him and walk with him to love others as shown in the Bible. He demonstrated how to love people well.
The power of God’s love can flow through you in remarkable ways: to bring others to him, and allow them to experience him. This gives them the best gift—him.
If you want to love others effectively and experience the benefits of loving one another, then you must know what the Bible says. God’s love is the best love to give others. It is the real love they want—but you can only give it when you allow Jesus to live through you and know his word.
How to love others according to the Bible
Jesus commands many times in the Bible to “Love each other as I have loved you” (John 13:34, John 15:12, etc.) Jesus lived in this manner and sacrificed his whole life to demonstrate this.
He shows it again and again throughout his ministry, and gives you practical ways that you can love people. Here are 3 examples of how you can love others, as displayed by Jesus in the Bible.
1. How to love others according to the Bible by forgiving
Jesus was no stranger to pain or betrayal. Yet, instead of harboring bitterness, resentment and anger he showed how to love by forgiving others. You can see this especially when he died on the cross.
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” (Luke 23:34, NIV)
He had no sin and didn’t deserve the punishment he endured—or how he was treated—but he asked the Father to forgive them.
His want for others to be loved was more prevalent than anything that could be done to him. You and I must be the same way.
No matter what others have done to you, follow Jesus’s example of extending forgiveness to them. Doing this will benefit you as well—since you will no longer be holding on to bitterness, resentment or anger, which only cause you harm.
Holding onto those things robs you of joy and peace and keeps you from experiencing love from others and Jesus. It keeps you hurting. Choose to forgive for yourself and because Jesus demonstrates it in the Bible.
2. How to love according to the Bible by helping the less fortunate
Jesus loves all people, no matter their status, and wants you to do the same. When he preached, he showed us not to turn our backs on those in need. He wants everyone to experience his love.
We see this in the Bible, as Jesus made it a point to help the less fortunate, who are mostly overlooked in our society. His heart is seen in Matthew 5:3 (NIV):
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
He didn’t play favoritism or show partiality, because he loves all people. Those who choose to follow his example and live in this manner will be noticed by him. This is seen in the parable of “the sheep and the goats” in Matthew 25:31-46. Jesus makes it clear that those who live to serve others are serving him.
“He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’” (Matthew 25:45, NIV)
The next time you know of someone in need, see someone in crisis, or hear of an organization that helps the less fortunate, give as though you are serving Jesus. This is one great example of how to love others according to the Bible.
Find practical ways that you can help others in need—maybe by donating the things you no longer have use for, or by preparing or delivering food. Or, give your time by listening to and praying for the needy. This type of service shows the love of Jesus and serves him.
3. How to love according to the Bible by speaking truth
Many times Jesus’ words were questioned even by his disciples. They wondered how he was able to perform such miracles and who he was, though he made it quite clear that he was the Son of God.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” (John 14:6, NIV)
He never lied or tried to deceive anyone and neither should you. If you want to learn how to love others like Jesus, you can speak truth to them as He did.
Truth means first that you have pure motives in your heart about why you are choosing to love that person. Are you doing it for your own personal gain? Are you doing it to please others or to get attention for yourself?
Instead, you should love for the purpose of showing others Jesus and bringing them to him—so his name is glorified.
Examine your motives. Be honest with Jesus and yourself. Then make it a point to speak truth to others.
We all make mistakes. Apologize if you need to. People appreciate an honest response and will know you as a person of integrity. This shows them the love of Jesus; he wants you to live in that way.
If you want to love others well, you have to learn how to love others according to the Bible. Jesus demonstrates how to do that, and you are capable of doing it with the power of the Holy Spirit inside you.
Forgive, help the less fortunate, and speak the truth. These are 3 practical examples of how to love others according to the Bible.
