Bob, thank you for quoting that Scripture. Another great definition of love. Reading your comment reminded me of people I’ve known who would do something to irritate me and then tell me that I have to love them because I’m commanded to do so. I was never sure they understood the real meaning of those Scriptures. As Believers, the point is not to take advantage of others, knowing they will be judged for their response. We need to treat them as we would like to be treated; however, when others do wrong us, you’re right: we need to love them regardless of how they feel.

Inquirer, thank you for reading my post and leaving me a note. It would serve me right if you didn’t read my posts for a while but, then, I guess you’re practicing true love and forgiveness, aren’t you.

And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.

The love God wants us to have is manifested through obedience. God never commanded us to have sentimentalism toward one another — only to obey, regardless of how we feel about someone. This goes along with your opening paragraph. No one (especially the world) can achieve true godly love without the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Love other and love God – what Jesus very clearly and directly gives as the two greatest commandments. Seems to me that Christians of every denomination, and whether conservative or progressive, ought to pay a lot more attention to that.