There’s no doubt that love is an important characteristic of believers in Christ. Christ expresses the importance of love to His disciples as He told them that the unsaved world would know that they were disciples of Christ by the love that they showed one another. Then Christ is moving in the hearts of His disciples to write the Holy Bible has Paul include a whole chapter on love in his letter to the Corinthians. Then there is the evidence of the Word of God showing God’s love from cover to cover.
Yes, Christ’s love for us includes two dimensions. He has love for us. All throughout Christ’s ministry one characteristic that is evident over and over again is His love. He is the epitome of love! Being a Christian is allowing yourself to be filled with Chris’s love. But then there is the recipient of the love. Love is felt from the one giving it and to the one receiving it. Karl Menninger is right on target, when he said, “Love cures people – both the ones who give it and the ones who receive it.” Stop! Let those words sink in! Love is good for the soul. It is good for the soul of the one who gives it and for the one who receives it.
The Scriptures ring true with this truth. “Since you have been in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a since love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart’ (1 Peter 1:22; NASV). Notice, believers receive a “love for the brethren.” You receive love from Christ. You do not keep that love to yourself but give it to others. You love other Christians, as the verse says “love one another from the heart.” You receive love and then you give the same. You are both a receiver of love and a giver of love.
You are called by Christ to have double love. Obey Christ and receive His love then give love to others!
