Love is The Foundation.

The Bible teaches that true love is what ONE DOES not how ONE FEELS. It is a practical, conscious exercise of one's will for another's betterment, at the cost of self. Be doers, not talkers. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves. (James 1:22).

Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;  rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.  Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind, but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. (Romans 12:9-16).

The Greek word agape is often translated “love” in the New Testament. Agape is almost always used to describe the love that is of and from God, whose very nature is love itself: “God is love” (1 John 4:8). We are to love others with agape love, whether they are fellow believers (John 13:34) or bitter enemies (Matthew 5:44). Agape love does not come naturally to us. (we have a fallen, sinful nature). We are to love as God loves, that love—that agape—can only come from its Source.

Agape love is beautifully described in 1 Corinthians 13. Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Love never fails.

By our example, we are to be the Salt and Light of this world. (Matthew 5:13-16). Be Servants to Christ and to one another. “Servant” in Greek, Doulos, which means literally “a slave or bond-servant, someone who sets aside all rights of his own to serve another. 

Walk continually in love, value one another, practice empathy and compassion, unselfishly seeking the best for others, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, as a sweet offering and sacrifice.

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. (Ephesians 5:1-2).