A selection of verses showing how this theme runs consistently through the Bible.
God tells the Israelites that they should show love to all including those from other nations:
18 “ ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbour as yourself. I am the LORD.
34 The stranger who lives as a foreigner with you shall be to you as the native-born amongst you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you lived as foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.
God tells the Israelites to love him:
5 You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.
The book of Proverbs gives a practical reason for showing love:
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
but love covers all wrongs.
Several New Testament letters encourage us to show love in our lives:
12 May the Lord make you to increase and abound in love towards one another, and towards all men, even as we also do towards you,
5 but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith,
8 And above all things be earnest in your love amongst yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins.
The apostle John tells us the importance of showing love in our lives:
7 Beloved, let’s love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves has been born of God, and knows God.
11 Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another.
These chapters have links to this theme:
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