Psychologists and those that study the activity of the human brain have always come up with reasons for certain feelings. They are confident that certain feelings are a result of certain situations and ‘This’ is just the product of ‘That.’ But even they cannot explain how two people with the same circumstances react completely differently and their “feelings” toward the situation are very much the opposite of each other. This is because God created us to be different from each other and yet we all know that feelings, whether hidden or exposed, are an everyday reality for us. Your reactions are produced by feelings, your ideas and conclusions to certain events are all a result of how you feel. You can laugh at something one day and cry the next day without anything circumstantially changing. How many times have we gotten up from our sleep and been induced with a certain feeling that we are unable to explain?
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The most passionate feeling of all is the feeling of love. Not the romantic feeling of love in the sense of a Romeo and Juliet ‘L-O-V-E’ story, rather the kind of love that flows from the depth of a person’s soul. The kind of love that makes a woman pick a car up to save her trapped child. The kind of love that would cause a father to jump in front of a bear to save his son. The kind of love that seemingly has no rhyme or reason. It’s a love that is unexplainable and so deep it cannot be expressed in words. This love was so perfectly demonstrated on the Cross by our Lord Jesus Christ. The Scripture declares;
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Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
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Jesus Christ was the ultimate example of what true unbiased and non-partisan love really is. It is Christ who gave us the perfect result of what deep love can produce. There was a scribe of the Pharisees that came to Jesus one day and asked him this question; “Which is the first commandment of all?” This man no doubt knew the order in which the law was laid out. He was a man who was steeped in the study of the law and the ways of the letter. He wasn’t asking Jesus which law was first in order, he wanted to know which one of the laws was the greatest in importance. Which one of the laws held the most weight? What law is the greatest one to acknowledge and keep?
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Jesus’ response to him was;
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Mar 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
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Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
.
Jesus Christ was the ultimate example of what true unbiased and non-partisan love really is. It is Christ who gave us the perfect result of what deep love can produce. There was a scribe of the Pharisees that came to Jesus one day and asked him this question; “Which is the first commandment of all?” This man no doubt knew the order in which the law was laid out. He was a man who was steeped in the study of the law and the ways of the letter. He wasn’t asking Jesus which law was first in order, he wanted to know which one of the laws was the greatest in importance. Which one of the laws held the most weight? What law is the greatest one to acknowledge and keep?
.
Jesus’ response to him was;
.
Mar 12:29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:
Mar 12:29And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
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This was nothing new to the scribe. He knew the law. He already understood the importance of the SHEMA. It was the most significant law in Jewish religious practices. But Jesus didn’t just stop with the exclamation of the most obvious. He continued;
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Mar 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
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WHAT?! This scribe must have been dumb-founded. The Pharisee had no problem accepting the fact that God is one and the SHEMA was already a part of his everyday life. But the second part of Jesus’ statement must have taken him by udder surprise. Jesus quoted the SHEMA and in the same sentence proclaimed to the scribe that, to love your neighbor as yourself is equally important. Jesus was telling the scribe that out of all the laws that are in your manual and out of all the religious practices that are laid out in your handbook, the greatest laws are the most overlooked and ignored. Jesus explained to the scribe that in order to understand the SHEMA, you must also understand that the love you have toward your neighbor is directly connected to your love for God. In fact, according to John you CANNOT have true love toward God and NOT love your neighbor. It is IMPOSSIBLE to proclaim that God is one and love him while hating your brothers and sisters. John said;
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1Jn 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
1Jn 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
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WOW!!! That’s some strong language John. But being a liar can’t be so bad. Don’t we all lie sometimes? It’s not that I actually “hate” him/her I just don’t “love” them. But I still love God with all my heart, mind and strength. John heard the words of Jesus at the last day saying;
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Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
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I really wonder how many people will appear before the judgment seat of Christ and proclaim that they always believed there was one God and that they truly loved him. I must confess that I tremble at the thought that so many people who are harboring hatred toward a brother or sister will come before God on the day of judgment and emphatically exclaim that they loved God with a pure heart. And much to their surprise and dismay Jesus will look at them and say;
.
Mat 7:23 …I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
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GOD, don’t let me live this life professing to love You and not love my brother or sister. My prayer today is that we would love one another in the fear of God and not allow Satan to convince us that a little bit of dislike or hatred is OK. Many people embrace the idea that you should love everyone that does good to you and hate those that disagree and even despise you. But Jesus said;
.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
.
We don’t need to get caught in the trap of hating our neighbor because of attitude, past experiences, personality, social status, ethnic background, race, color, pedigree, intellect or any other reason. Jesus looked at the woman caught in the act of adultery and forgave her and through love did not “condemn” her but told her to go and sin no more. If you are struggling with hatred or even resentment toward your brother or sister, please be careful to hear the words of Jesus Christ;
.
Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
.
Friends, the word of God is very real and true. It is through the word of God that we will be judged. The scripture is given by the inspiration of God. Please don’t take my words for it, open up your heart and let the Lord speak to you. I have been raised by Godly parents who have taught me since I was a child to Love everyone regardless of who they are. But I pray that this blog post will help someone who might be struggling in your relationship with God and/or other. Read the words of The Apostle John;
.
1Jn 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1Jn 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
1Jn 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
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I would love to hear what you have to say. Please leave a comment. God Bless!
.
This was nothing new to the scribe. He knew the law. He already understood the importance of the SHEMA. It was the most significant law in Jewish religious practices. But Jesus didn’t just stop with the exclamation of the most obvious. He continued;
.
Mar 12:31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
.
WHAT?! This scribe must have been dumb-founded. The Pharisee had no problem accepting the fact that God is one and the SHEMA was already a part of his everyday life. But the second part of Jesus’ statement must have taken him by udder surprise. Jesus quoted the SHEMA and in the same sentence proclaimed to the scribe that, to love your neighbor as yourself is equally important. Jesus was telling the scribe that out of all the laws that are in your manual and out of all the religious practices that are laid out in your handbook, the greatest laws are the most overlooked and ignored. Jesus explained to the scribe that in order to understand the SHEMA, you must also understand that the love you have toward your neighbor is directly connected to your love for God. In fact, according to John you CANNOT have true love toward God and NOT love your neighbor. It is IMPOSSIBLE to proclaim that God is one and love him while hating your brothers and sisters. John said;
.
1Jn 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
1Jn 4:21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
.
WOW!!! That’s some strong language John. But being a liar can’t be so bad. Don’t we all lie sometimes? It’s not that I actually “hate” him/her I just don’t “love” them. But I still love God with all my heart, mind and strength. John heard the words of Jesus at the last day saying;
.
Rev 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
.
I really wonder how many people will appear before the judgment seat of Christ and proclaim that they always believed there was one God and that they truly loved him. I must confess that I tremble at the thought that so many people who are harboring hatred toward a brother or sister will come before God on the day of judgment and emphatically exclaim that they loved God with a pure heart. And much to their surprise and dismay Jesus will look at them and say;
.
Mat 7:23 …I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
.
GOD, don’t let me live this life professing to love You and not love my brother or sister. My prayer today is that we would love one another in the fear of God and not allow Satan to convince us that a little bit of dislike or hatred is OK. Many people embrace the idea that you should love everyone that does good to you and hate those that disagree and even despise you. But Jesus said;
.
Mat 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
.
We don’t need to get caught in the trap of hating our neighbor because of attitude, past experiences, personality, social status, ethnic background, race, color, pedigree, intellect or any other reason. Jesus looked at the woman caught in the act of adultery and forgave her and through love did not “condemn” her but told her to go and sin no more. If you are struggling with hatred or even resentment toward your brother or sister, please be careful to hear the words of Jesus Christ;
.
Joh 13:35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
.
Friends, the word of God is very real and true. It is through the word of God that we will be judged. The scripture is given by the inspiration of God. Please don’t take my words for it, open up your heart and let the Lord speak to you. I have been raised by Godly parents who have taught me since I was a child to Love everyone regardless of who they are. But I pray that this blog post will help someone who might be struggling in your relationship with God and/or other. Read the words of The Apostle John;
.
1Jn 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
1Jn 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1Jn 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
1Jn 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1Jn 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jn 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
.
I would love to hear what you have to say. Please leave a comment. God Bless!
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