Category: Love

A discussion of our collective responsibilities to be a faithful congregation of God. To defend truth, to Love God and Neighbor, to strive for unity.

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The apostle Paul had a strained relationship with the Corinthian church. Because of their immaturity and disobedient behavior, he had to compose a letter to them (1 Corinthians) that was full of admonition and correction. In 2 Corinthians 6 he deals with this reality in verses 11-13:

“O Corinthians! We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted by your own affections. Now in return for the same (I speak as to children), you also be open.”

You may notice that the problem was not caused by Paul. He loved the church there dearly, and expresses this love and care for them by saying “our heart is wide open.” The same could not be said of the Corinthians. It is hard to be thankful and open when you are being criticized. The problem is the attitude that we typically have toward correction. The wise man of Proverbs explained it very plainly, “Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1).

Paul rightly desired reciprocation on the part of the Corinthians. “Now in return for the same…you also be open” (13). When you receive correction for any foolishness or any sin you commit, remember Paul’s words. When someone shows concern for your soul, open your heart to them. They are showing their love to you!

What the world may consider extra effort, Going Second Mile (cf. Matthew 5:41), is effort that God excepts and requires.  Whatever our relationships, with family, brethren, our jobs, the lost, even our enemies.  God wants us to answer evil with good, and do much more than men think necessary.

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As a preacher, I have interacted with many individuals about their desire (or lack thereof) to receive help in time of need. Whether it be financial, regarding health, or mundane things like a ride to the airport. I have seen many different attitudes over the years. The extremes range from an unwillingness to accept any help to a willingness to impose upon others for things one could do for themselves. I must say that while there is obviously a spectrum which we all are on, the extremes bother me. I think they are both sinful.

First, note the entitled. We actually have fostered this attitude in our modern society. Half of the annual Federal budget is made up of what are termed “Entitlement Programs.” While such a safety net is a sign of a government that cares for its citizens, there is no doubt that many in the past and present have abused these programs. What was intended as a help to the needy has become a way for some to get by without any personal effort. The Bible certainly does not approve of such an attitude. Paul wrote, “For you yourselves know how you ought to follow us, for we were not disorderly among you; nor did we eat anyone’s bread free of charge, but worked with labor and toil night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, not because we do not have authority, but to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us. For even when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:7-10). Continue reading “I Don’t Want to be a Bother” →

Paul uses an interesting phrase in his first letter to the Thessalonians (3:1-3). “Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this.”

Timothy was a common companion of Paul in his travels. He was Paul’s “son in the faith” and was both a comfort and help to him in his work. One of the practices of Paul was to send Timothy to places when Paul himself was unable to come. This is what he did for the brethren in Thessalonica. Continue reading ““We Could No Longer Endure It”” →

A Discussion of Judges 1:1-7.  We discuss the principle of Lex Talionis. The Role of God and the Government in Vengeance.  The individual responsibility of the Christian to respond to evil with good, exercising love in our spiritual walk.

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Luke 7 records in Jesus’ ministry a visit to the city of Nain. Nain was located southwest of the sea of Galilee about 8 miles south of Nazareth. There is no indication it was a large city, but verse 11 of the text indicates that when Jesus entered the city, he brought both His disciples, “and a large crowd” with Him.

The city is only known from this account, where Jesus raised a young man from the dead. His mother is famously known as “the widow of Nain.” Perhaps the most significant aspect of this notable miracle Jesus performed is the motivation behind it. We are told the young man was the only son of his widowed mother, and “When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her” (13). Continue reading “The Widow of Nain” →

In Paul’s personal letter to Philemon, he referenced his brother in a very favorable light. Let’s look at some of the words he used.

In verse 1 he called Philemon a “beloved friend and fellow laborer.” He noted the faithfulness of Philemon as a child of God in verses 5 and 6, and let Philemon know he prayed for him continually (4). He talked of the great joy and consolation he received from Philemon’s love (7), and noted his positive influence toward other Christians (7).

As he made his request to Philemon on Onesimus’ behalf, his positive expressions continued. He said he had “confidence” saying that he knew “you will do even more than I say” (21).

From these words we can see that Philemon was a righteous and good man, who was quick to express love to his brethren. While Onesimus had wronged him by running away, Paul was confident because he knew Philemon’s character that Philemon would receive him back with love rather than censure.

It also says something about Paul. He was not a flatterer, he was an encourager who was always willing to show what God desires His children to be. May we emulate the love these men had for each other in our relationships.

James, after establishing the sinfulness of showing partiality, points out a sin in this area is sufficient to condemn a man. This is a truth with which Jews were especially familiar. He who willfully breaks one command is a law breaker and is guilty before the law. You can’t treat God’s law as a buffet, taking what you want and ignoring the rest.

So, in this regard we are to love all men and treat them well. As James wrote, “So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty” (12). To dishonor the poor man is to act in a way that is inconsistent with the law of Christ. He taught clearly the responsibility to love all men.

God will not forgive our sins, if we don’t forgive the sins of others. (cf. Matthew 6:12). He will not treat us with mercy if we are not willing to treat others mercifully. (Matthew 18:21-35). This mercy and compassion for one another is what sets apart the disciples of Christ from the world. 

A discussion of the first 10 verses of 1 John 3, detailing the love shown us by God, and the consequences to all the sanctified.

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The single most important characteristic that is to identify children of God is love for one another. This truth is revealed especially by the pen of the man known as the apostle of love — the apostle John. There are a number of reasons for the designation. First, it was a self-designation as John humbly referred to himself in the third person in his gospel, as a disciple “whom [He/Jesus] loved” (cf. John 19:26; 13:23; 20:2; 21:7). Too, love was a central theme of both John’s gospel and his letters.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

“We love Him because He first loved us. If someone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also” (1 John 4:19-21). Continue reading “(7 of 13) Loving Each Other” →

Our title is taken from Jesus’ words in Matthew 12:36, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.” While the context specifies words, the truth is that the concept of accountability is an integral part of God’s dealing with every aspect of mankind’s conduct — words, thoughts, and actions. The phrase Jesus used here, “they will give account” (apodid?mi logos), is defined by Thayer in this here as an “answer or explanation in reference to judgment.” “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:9-10). Continue reading “(3 of 13) Accountability is Important” →

Last week while studying, in the background on the television was an old movie about the biblical characters in the book of Ruth. The  movie, “The Story of Ruth” was released in 1960, starring Elana Eden as Ruth, and Stuart Whitman as Boaz. The movie is described as an adaptation of the biblical story of Ruth, and that “The film explores themes of tolerance, acceptance, love, and faith.”

Do I suggest you watch the movie?  No, not at all. It is only a loose adaptation. Certainly not as ridiculous as the more recent Hollywood treatment of Noah, as an example, but no effort was made for “The Story of Ruth” to be an accurate representation of God’s word. Hollywood does not do a good job of following the Bible, something that should be obvious to all. Continue reading “The Real Ruth of Moab” →

The characteristics of love, expressed by Paul in 1 Corinthians 13, are outward, not inward. Less emotional, the love Paul describes is a demonstration of a charitable nature, concerned with others.

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).

If you are a loving person you are longsuffering. Rather than quick to anger and judgment, you strive for patience and kindness in your interactions with others. Continue reading “Outward Expressions of Love” →

The two groups which make up humanity are naturally divided, and categorized by John’s description:

“In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother” (1 John 3:10).

The characteristics of these two groups are easily discerned. In other words, it is necessary only to know them to know where they abide. The differences are “manifest.”

The children of the devil

They do not practice righteousness

They do not practice love (here for a brother in Christ).

The children of God

They practice righteousness

They love their brethren in Christ

Consider, if one strives to be righteous and yet is at strife with his brethren he can’t accurately claim to be a child of God. Consider, if one loves the brethren but lives a profane life he can’t accurately claim to be a child of God.

Can you and I rightly claim that we are children of God in every sense?  We pray it is so, but it is not if these characteristics are not both present in our daily walk!