Grace-based Love

Grace-based love is not based on the person’s merit, but on Christ’s divine love and forgiveness... remember when Jesus prayed, “Father forgive them for they not what they do.”

Christ's example:

“For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” [1]

Jesus demonstrated for us and called us to demonstrate for others God’s grace-based love:

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” [2]

The way this law works is that we recognize the grace we have received from God through His Son Jesus Christ, and love people based on God’s grace to us, and as the Holy Spirit urges us. Love can be an act of obedience to God, as well as an emotion that springs from compassion given to us by God’s Spirit.

“A certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he [the robbed and beaten man] was. And when he saw him...

1) He had compassion.
2) He went to him.
3) Bandaged his wounds.
4) Poured on oil and wine.
5) He set him on his own animal.
6) Brought him to an inn.
7) Took care of him.
8) Took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper.
9) Said to the innkeeper, ‘Take care of him.’
10) Said to the innkeeper. ‘Whatever more you spend, I will repay you.’ [3]

By his actions he demonstrated love for God and love for neighbor. An extravagant and overtop way to keep the Ten Commandments.

The Good Samaritan gave to the wounded man with no expectation of a positive payback from him. He practiced grace-based love. Loving his neighbor was God’s grace at work in him.

[1] Romans 5:6-8
[2] John 13:34-35
[3] Luke 10:30-37