Love can be described as a triangular model, consisting of three parts. love from God the initiator to Man, love from Man to a fellow Man and Love from Man back to God. It’s a recurring event that continues from generation to generation.It is also good to say this relationship is the oldest expression of love in existence, flowing endlessly from the Creator into the hearts of humanity.
In modern culture, love is often reduced to a feeling, emotion or an affection. However, the love being referred to here challenges us to be intentional and practical in our actions towards one another.
The following highlights God’s expectations of how we are to act and walk in love towards others.
1) True love doesn’t participate in the destruction of another human beings character. That is, refusing to spread gossips, slander or malicious rumors about someone instead, stay silent and defend them when the crowd is tearing them down.
2) Love towards your fellow Man is not reserved only for those who love you but it extends also to those who oppose you. When an adversary is in crisis, love suppresses the ego, ignores the grudge, and steps in to relieve their burden. It prioritizes human dignity over personal conflict.
3) Love is treating foreigners well. It is treating the vulnerable, poor or isolated with fairness and not exploiting their disadvantage for personal gain.
4) Finally, loving your fellow man means intentionally creating margins in your life, your business, or your resources so that the less fortunate can find relief, food, and rest alongside with you. It ensures that your success or your work doesn’t come at the expense of someone else’s burnout.
In a nutshell, treating a fellow man should not be based on how they treat you, but instead on the divine standard of love you have received from the top of the triangle.
Reference Scriptures
Exodus 23, Psalm 15 vs 3, Proverbs 25 vs 21, Malachi 3 vs 5.
Shalom 🕊️
Bimpe Lawal