In the gospel accounts, Jesus taught that there was a point of emphasis from God regarding His law so that all of Gods law could be kept if one was able to keep just two commandments: love the Lord and love ones neighbor. While the command may seem simple, the difficulty arises when one considers the form of love that Jesus referred to. Jesus used the Greek word agapao, which is the verb form of agape, and is the same word used to describe the nature of God as love. Thus, one is to love God in the same manner of Gods essence and in the same manner that God demonstrated and revealed His love. As the apostle John wrote to explain the full extent of Gods love in order to equip the church to obey His commandments, he showed that love is the revelation or demonstration of Jesus as the Son of God and the Messiah, who was sent in the world to deal with sin through a sacrificial substitutionary death to glorify God. The Bible teaches that the love of God is selfless and based on sacrifice as the main mechanism to reveal Gods righteousness. Though Jesus died as an innocent man, His action was considered right in Gods eyes because His death was a demonstration of Gods mercy and grace. In 1 John 4:20-21 the apostle John summarizes his point about love by showing how ones understanding of Gods love will determine ones treatment towards others thereby revealing if one is really saved and righteous according to Gods standards. In 1 John 4:20-21 the apostle John reminds believers that if one says they love God, then they must also love their neighbor. In contrast, if one says that one loves God but does not love their neighbor, the Bible explains that person is a liar. Therefore, one who loves God must love their neighbor just the same since it is the same Spirit of God that allows one to love. Recall the point the Bible previously taught. Since love is the revelation of Jesus identity and purpose, love is supernatural activity. Love is transformation of a sinner into the image of Christ. Love is a wicked person responding to life in conduct as the Son of God. This type of conduct only comes by ones understanding of who the Son of God is, and that understanding only comes by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is received when one humbly repents before God in faith, but upon receiving the Holy Spirit, one is equipped to know Jesus and then live like Jesus as the Spirit of God gradually transforms the believer into the image of Jesus. This process facilitates love and allows one to reveal the character and nature of Jesus back to God so that one loves God with all of ones being. Therefore, since it is the Spirit of God doing all this work within a person, one should naturally demonstrate the character and nature of Jesus towards ones neighbor just the same. It is for this reason that one cannot love God and not love ones neighbor. According to scripture, the Holy Spirit causes a change in the heart of a believer that equips them to live as Christ to love God and this same change will naturally be reflected amongst ones relationships with people as well. This is one of the great reasons that the church has failed to demonstrate love in the church. Since the world provides so many definitions of what love is, and many people assume love in the Bible is referring to an affection based on ones experiences in life with circumstances that were called love, the church has been ill-equipped to love as God commanded. The division, bickering, and quarreling within the church is a result of the church failing to understand what love is. Love has many times been over-simplified to kindness, or being nice to someone. This is not what the Bible defines as love. God did not simply instruct His church to be nice to Him and nice to each other. While the church should show kindness, the church should also display the righteousness, holiness, and justice of Jesus at the same time; which may lead to circumstances that others dont consider nice. Jesus was often in that position. It is important to consider that Jesus loved His disciples until the end just as the Gospels teach. This means that Jesus loved the disciples when He prepared them for the next phase of ministry during the last supper. This means that Jesus loved Peter when he called him out and predicted Peter would deny Him. This means that Jesus loved Judas when He sent Judas off to betray Him. This even means that Jesus loved the scribes and Pharisees when He called them a brood of vipers and took away the offer of the kingdom just as much as He did when He said, Forgive them while hanging on the cross. Loving ones neighbor is not always going to be the nice thing. According to the Bible, loving ones neighbor is always going to be conduct reflective of Jesus in truth, righteousness and holiness for the glory of God. Love is sacrificial and selfless for the benefit of others according to Gods will and not our own. As one would endure the difficulty of suffering through the sanctification process to love God with all of ones heart, soul, and strength, then one should also embrace the challenges and suffering associated with revealing the character of Jesus Christ towards others so that they might grow closer to the Lord on account of the work the Spirit of God does through us - focusing on their benefit, and not ours. God bless yall! --Bside--
Posted on: Thu, 30 Jan 2014 14:13:44 +0000
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