An Anglican Catechism (Expanded Version)

Question 301: How do you grow in love as a virtue?

Question 301: How do you grow in love as a virtue?

I grow in love by abiding in Christ, receiving His love, and obeying His commands. Love is strengthened by the Holy Spirit through prayer, worship, Scripture, and service. As I forgive, show mercy, bear with others, and put their good before my own, the love of Christ is formed in me. Love increases as I live in communion with God and practice charity toward all. (John 15:9–12, 1 John 4:7–12, Philippians 1:9–11, 1 Corinthians 13:4–7, Colossians 3:12–14)

Full Scripture References​

“As the Father has loved Me, so have I loved you. Remain in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will remain in My love… This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” – John 15:9–10, 12 (BSB)

“Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God… We love because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:7, 19 (BSB)

“And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight… filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” – Philippians 1:9, 11 (BSB)

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not arrogant. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking… Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 (BSB)

“Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience… And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.” – Colossians 3:12, 14 (BSB)

Expanded Explanation of Catechism Question

Love grows as we abide in the love of Christ. The more we meditate on His sacrifice and draw near to Him in prayer and sacrament, the more our hearts are softened and shaped by His compassion. Fr. Isaac Rehberg (ACNA, All Saints San Antonio, TX) writes, “We love because He first loved us—and we love more as we keep returning to that first love. Love grows from the gospel outward.” (Lectures on the Virtues, 2021)

Obedience is central to growing in love. Love is not simply a feeling—it is shown in action, especially in obedience to God’s commands and care for others. Bishop Stephen Leung (ANiC, Diocese of Western Canada and Alaska) explains, “We learn love as we do love. Forgiveness, service, compassion—these are the schools where the virtue of love is formed.” (Formation in the Love of Christ, 2020)

Love grows through practice, especially in difficult relationships. Fr. Matthew Munn (ACNA, Church of the Redeemer, NC) observes, “Love matures where it is tested—when we choose patience over irritation, mercy over judgment, and humility over pride. In each of these moments, Christ is formed in us.” (Living the Litany of Love, 2022)

Community is essential to love’s growth. Canon George Grant (ACNA, Parish Presbyterian Church, TN) notes, “The Church is where love is learned and lived. It is where saints sharpen one another and where we rehearse the grace that God has shown us.” (Recovering Anglican Piety, 2019)

Bishop Charlie Masters (ANiC, Diocese of the Living Word) adds, “As we serve others, especially the least and the lost, we learn to love as Christ did. Our hearts expand when we step beyond comfort and into compassion.” (Love in Action, 2023)

Early Church Fathers On Catechism Question

“Let love be not in word only, but in deed and in truth. It grows not by talking, but by doing.” – John Chrysostom, Homily on 1 John, c. 390 AD

“He who prays often will love much. For prayer warms the soul with God’s own fire.” – Augustine of Hippo, Confessions, c. 398 AD

“Love is the ladder by which the soul ascends to God. Each act of charity is a step toward heaven.” – Basil the Great, On the Christian Life, c. 370 AD

“The more you give, the more you love. Generosity is the exercise of love, and in its giving, it increases.” – Cyprian of Carthage, Treatise on Works and Alms, c. 250 AD

An Anglican Catechism (Expanded Version)

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