Post by didymus on Sept 4, 2010 12:19:05 GMT -5
You know, I've been thinking about all the doctrinal discussions, and yes, the disagreements, we all seem to have. But, there is one thing we should all agree on, and it is probably the most important of all topics in the entire Bible. And, that is, that we should love one another.
Love one another is message that is expressed in many places and in many ways in the Bible.
Of course, probably the best definition of love is found in I Corinthians 13:4-7, "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth. Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures." And at the beginning of verse 8, "Love never ends."
[NCV]
But that is not the only place in the Bible that talks about love. Leviticus 19.18 states, "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD." And in verse 34, "The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God."
From this can we understand love is not taking vengeance, or holding grudges against your children. And here we see the very first place in the Bible that says, "love your neighbor as yourself." And it's the law. Then in verse 34 we see that law also says to love the stranger as yourself. It's a good thing that the United States is not under this law. Perhaps if we showed "illegal aliens" the love of God, perhaps God would bless America. Just thinking out loud.
Deuteronomy 6.5 says, for the first time in the Bible, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." Then in 10.17-19, "For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt." First a command to love the Lord your God, and yet another command to love the stranger in the land. And as God administers justice for the fatherless and the widows, should we not do the same.
And the teaching of Jesus is that we love one another as He has loved us, to love our neighbors, and to love our enemies.
Can there be any doubt that the way of God is the way of Love? In fact, isn't love commanded? And, how are those around us to conclude that we are Christians if not that we have love for one another?
Let me tell you, that is one thing I really appreciate about this site. It is quite obvious we are all quite different doctrinally. Even though we are all preterists in one form or another, that is pretty much where the doctrinal similarities end. But there is love here that just does not exist on a lot of other sites, which I think is a credit to the administrator. Thank you Allyn for all you do. I can say, from my perspective, this is truly a Christian site. There is a family atmosphere here that does not exist anywhere else, not even on my own sites. I hope some day, this will be true there as well.
And so, brothers and sisters, I thank you. And, it's your turn.
Love one another is message that is expressed in many places and in many ways in the Bible.
Of course, probably the best definition of love is found in I Corinthians 13:4-7, "Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth. Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures." And at the beginning of verse 8, "Love never ends."
[NCV]
But that is not the only place in the Bible that talks about love. Leviticus 19.18 states, "You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD." And in verse 34, "The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God."
From this can we understand love is not taking vengeance, or holding grudges against your children. And here we see the very first place in the Bible that says, "love your neighbor as yourself." And it's the law. Then in verse 34 we see that law also says to love the stranger as yourself. It's a good thing that the United States is not under this law. Perhaps if we showed "illegal aliens" the love of God, perhaps God would bless America. Just thinking out loud.
Deuteronomy 6.5 says, for the first time in the Bible, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." Then in 10.17-19, "For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality nor takes a bribe. He administers justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the stranger, giving him food and clothing. Therefore love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt." First a command to love the Lord your God, and yet another command to love the stranger in the land. And as God administers justice for the fatherless and the widows, should we not do the same.
And the teaching of Jesus is that we love one another as He has loved us, to love our neighbors, and to love our enemies.
Can there be any doubt that the way of God is the way of Love? In fact, isn't love commanded? And, how are those around us to conclude that we are Christians if not that we have love for one another?
Let me tell you, that is one thing I really appreciate about this site. It is quite obvious we are all quite different doctrinally. Even though we are all preterists in one form or another, that is pretty much where the doctrinal similarities end. But there is love here that just does not exist on a lot of other sites, which I think is a credit to the administrator. Thank you Allyn for all you do. I can say, from my perspective, this is truly a Christian site. There is a family atmosphere here that does not exist anywhere else, not even on my own sites. I hope some day, this will be true there as well.
And so, brothers and sisters, I thank you. And, it's your turn.