Christian love (1 Corinthians 13:13). That is why our Lord, Jesus Christ, clearly emphasized the superiority of love when He said: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind." This is the greatest and first commandment, and the second is like it: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:36–39). Of course, these commandments already existed in the Old Testament (Leviticus 19:18 and Deuteronomy 6:5), but their true meaning and value were revealed by our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Only Begotten Son of God revealed to us that love is not just an ordinary commandment of the Mosaic Law, as the Pharisees and scribes thought, but the one that completes the Law, because "on these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 22:40)

WHAT IS LOVE AND WHAT ARE ITS CHARACTERISTICS?

Love is the first fruit of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22), which is poured into our hearts through the same Spirit (Romans 5:5). For a Christian, love is the most important gift; it leads us to the Kingdom of Heaven.

The characteristics of love are many and irreplaceable:
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13:4–8)

WHAT IS GOD'S LOVE FOR HUMANKIND LIKE?

It is holy and perfect. This perfect love was revealed through the sacrifice of God’s Only Begotten Son:
"This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins." (1 John 4:10)
God’s love for humankind is selfless and aimed at our salvation. Truly:
"[Christ] loved us with a true and holy love, not for His benefit but for ours, not to take anything, but to give." (St. Gregory of Tatev, 14th century)

HOW CAN A PERSON LOVE GOD AND REMAIN IN HIS LOVE?

By accepting Jesus Christ and doing His will. Those who do not accept Christ have no love for God:
"But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you. I have come in My Father's name, and you do not receive Me." (John 5:42–43)
Jesus personally emphasized these words and added that those who do not love Him cannot have God as their Father (John 8:42).

Besides accepting and loving Jesus Christ, it is also necessary to fulfill His will, because only then can we stay close to God and remain in Jesus’ love:
"If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and remain in His love." (John 15:10)

Therefore, loving Jesus Christ is fulfilled by keeping His commandments. This is the manifestation of perfect love, because:
"Whoever keeps His word, truly in him the love of God is perfected." (1 John 2:5)

Hayk Madoyan
To be continued