Peace, Love, & Understanding

[pinacled]

.
• Eph 4:31 . . Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as
well as all types of malicious behavior.

It wasn't The Lord's wish that Ephesian Christians avoid all bitterness, rage and
anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice; no; on the contrary,
he wanted the Ephesians to "get rid" of them.

"bitterness" is from the Greek word pikria (pik-ree'-ah) which means: acrid,
poisonous, and/or toxic (literally or figuratively). Christians like that are nothing in
the world but deadly reptiles.

"The poison of asps is under their lips" (Rom 3:13b)

"rage" is from thumos (thoo-mos') which means: passion (as if breathing hard).
Passion is just the opposite of reason; and as everyone knows, emotions are
incoherent; so it's to be expected an emotional person is not acting rationally. This
is a kind of conduct that Paul says brings sorrow to God's Spirit.

"anger" is from orge (or-gay') which means: desire (as a reaching forth or
excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy,) violent passion, ire, (by implication:
punishment)

People overcome by orge typically want some satisfaction; even to the point of at
least your ruin; if not your death.

"harsh words" is from krauge (krow-gay') which means: outcry.

Out-crying is what protestors do; in other words: assertive, in-your-face
confrontational complaints and/or demands.

"slander" is from blasphemia (blas-fay-me'-ah) which means: to vilify. Webster's
defines "vilify" as: (1) to lower in estimation or importance, and (2) to utter
slanderous and abusive statements against; viz: defame, discredit, and/or
denigrate.

A statement need not be false in order to qualify as slander; it need only to be
unnecessary; viz: you'll often hear people say: Well, I was only telling the truth.
Were they? No, that's a ruse. In reality, they're insensitive; and they don't care
who gets hurt by their thoughtless remarks.

The Lord notices the words people say, and he also takes note of the spirit in which
they say them.

"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every
careless word they have spoken." (Matt 12:36)

"malicious behavior" is from kakia (kak-ee'-ah) which means: badness, i.e.
(subjectively) depravity, or (actively) malignity, or (passively) trouble:

Malice sometimes includes the element of "spite" which Webster's defines as: petty
ill will, or hatred, with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart. Compare that to
the Greek word for "persecute" in the eighth Beatitude which means, literally: to
pursue; viz: to stalk, to hound, to harass.

Webster's defines "thwart" as: (1) to run counter to so as to effectively oppose or
baffle; viz: contravene, and (2) to oppose successfully; viz: to defeat the hopes or
aspirations of; in other words: to deliberately get in someone's way; block,
discourage.

Boy I'll tell you, that Ephesian church was as rough-hewn and crude as the old
logging community of Stump Town (now Portland) out here in the Oregon of the
1800's. They cussed, they brawled, they bad-mouthed, they held grudges, they
were thieves, they were arrogant, they somehow had the idea that Jews were
below them, they were immodest, conceited, vain, and impatient, they walked
unworthy of their calling, and they were splintered into cliques.

NOTE: I've heard more than one expositor praise the Ephesians as "the church at
its spiritual peak" but I thoroughly disagree. Yes, there were some outstanding
individuals, but by and large that congregation's spiritual condition was decadent,
deplorable, despicable, and unbecoming.

Paul began his letter to the Ephesians by saying that he made mention of them in
his prayers; asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, might
give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation; and also that the eyes of their heart
might be enlightened. (Eph 1:17-19)

Well, it seems to me that kind of prayer isn't for advanced Christians, rather, for
Christians just starting out. From thence, Paul went on to explain some of
Christianity's most treasured doctrines, which I assume the Ephesians had no
knowledge of till Paul wrote to them.

I'll grant that the letter to the Ephesians is lofty, but I will not grant that the
Ephesians themselves were lofty: not from how Paul lectured them.
_

Definition of slander

Definition of SLANDER

to utter slander against : defame… See the full definition

www.merriam-webster.com

 

[pinacled]

.
• Eph 4:31 . . Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as
well as all types of malicious behavior.

It wasn't The Lord's wish that Ephesian Christians avoid all bitterness, rage and
anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice; no; on the contrary,
he wanted the Ephesians to "get rid" of them.

"bitterness" is from the Greek word pikria (pik-ree'-ah) which means: acrid,
poisonous, and/or toxic (literally or figuratively). Christians like that are nothing in
the world but deadly reptiles.

"The poison of asps is under their lips" (Rom 3:13b)

"rage" is from thumos (thoo-mos') which means: passion (as if breathing hard).
Passion is just the opposite of reason; and as everyone knows, emotions are
incoherent; so it's to be expected an emotional person is not acting rationally. This
is a kind of conduct that Paul says brings sorrow to God's Spirit.

"anger" is from orge (or-gay') which means: desire (as a reaching forth or
excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy,) violent passion, ire, (by implication:
punishment)

People overcome by orge typically want some satisfaction; even to the point of at
least your ruin; if not your death.

"harsh words" is from krauge (krow-gay') which means: outcry.

Out-crying is what protestors do; in other words: assertive, in-your-face
confrontational complaints and/or demands.

"slander" is from blasphemia (blas-fay-me'-ah) which means: to vilify. Webster's
defines "vilify" as: (1) to lower in estimation or importance, and (2) to utter
slanderous and abusive statements against; viz: defame, discredit, and/or
denigrate.

A statement need not be false in order to qualify as slander; it need only to be
unnecessary; viz: you'll often hear people say: Well, I was only telling the truth.
Were they? No, that's a ruse. In reality, they're insensitive; and they don't care
who gets hurt by their thoughtless remarks.

The Lord notices the words people say, and he also takes note of the spirit in which
they say them.

"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every
careless word they have spoken." (Matt 12:36)

"malicious behavior" is from kakia (kak-ee'-ah) which means: badness, i.e.
(subjectively) depravity, or (actively) malignity, or (passively) trouble:

Malice sometimes includes the element of "spite" which Webster's defines as: petty
ill will, or hatred, with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart. Compare that to
the Greek word for "persecute" in the eighth Beatitude which means, literally: to
pursue; viz: to stalk, to hound, to harass.

Webster's defines "thwart" as: (1) to run counter to so as to effectively oppose or
baffle; viz: contravene, and (2) to oppose successfully; viz: to defeat the hopes or
aspirations of; in other words: to deliberately get in someone's way; block,
discourage.

Boy I'll tell you, that Ephesian church was as rough-hewn and crude as the old
logging community of Stump Town (now Portland) out here in the Oregon of the
1800's. They cussed, they brawled, they bad-mouthed, they held grudges, they
were thieves, they were arrogant, they somehow had the idea that Jews were
below them, they were immodest, conceited, vain, and impatient, they walked
unworthy of their calling, and they were splintered into cliques.

NOTE: I've heard more than one expositor praise the Ephesians as "the church at
its spiritual peak" but I thoroughly disagree. Yes, there were some outstanding
individuals, but by and large that congregation's spiritual condition was decadent,
deplorable, despicable, and unbecoming.

Paul began his letter to the Ephesians by saying that he made mention of them in
his prayers; asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, might
give them the Spirit of wisdom and revelation; and also that the eyes of their heart
might be enlightened. (Eph 1:17-19)

Well, it seems to me that kind of prayer isn't for advanced Christians, rather, for
Christians just starting out. From thence, Paul went on to explain some of
Christianity's most treasured doctrines, which I assume the Ephesians had no
knowledge of till Paul wrote to them.

I'll grant that the letter to the Ephesians is lofty, but I will not grant that the
Ephesians themselves were lofty: not from how Paul lectured them.
_

Reminds me of removing leaven from ones life.

Leaven described as malice by ole sh'aul(paul) is also further expounded upon in the written proverbs of shlomo(solomon).

Proverbs 6
[" These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. "]

 

[pinacled]

.
• 2Cor 2:6-8 . . The punishment inflicted on him by the majority is sufficient for
him. Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be
overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for
him.

The cause for which Paul wrote that section was a guy in the Corinthian church
sleeping with his stepmother (1Cor 5:1). Paul had commanded the congregation to
not only hold the man's feet to the fire, but also to ostracize him.

Some time had passed since then, and the man was apparently regretting his
actions, and broken off the illicit relationship with his kin, so it was time to let him
back into the group. No doubt the humiliation of it all had a tremendous impact
upon his attitude-- probably upon the congregation's too because at first their
attitude wasn't all that good about it either. (cf. 1Cor 5:2)

Here in America scolding and ostracizing a church member would probably just
make them resentful rather than repentant. (cf. Ps 51:17)

FAQ: Doesn't 2Cor 2:5-10 support the Watchtower Society's shunning and
Scientology's disconnection?

A: Those organizations practice an extreme form of ostracizing that oftentimes
destroys friendship bonds, destroys family ties, and even destroys marriage vows.

Our ostracizing is pretty much limited to church, viz: congregational functions, e.g.
worship, communion, prayer meetings, banquets, etc. Taking Paul to extremes puts
people in jeopardy of failing to comply with Christ's instructions at Matt 5:44-48.
(cf. 2Thess 3:14-15)
_

No is the answer to your que ?

 

[pinacled]

.
● 1Cor 8:4-13 . .We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is
no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth
(as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"), yet for us there is but one
God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but
one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live.

. . . But not everyone knows this. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that
when they eat such food they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol, and
since their conscience is weak, it is defiled. But food does not bring us near to God;
we are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do.

. . . Be careful, however, that the exercise of your freedom does not become a
stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone with a weak conscience sees you who
have this knowledge eating in an idol's temple, won't he be emboldened to eat what
has been sacrificed to idols? So this weak brother, for whom Christ died, is
destroyed by your knowledge. When you sin against your brothers in this way and
wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if what I eat causes
my brother to fall into sin, I will never eat meat again, so that I will not cause him
to fall.

That passage can be said to be a codicil to the 14th chapter of Romans.

Putting this into a modern context is pretty simple; e.g. here in Oregon we have
tavern-style restaurants; viz: a section of the tavern is a bar, and another section is
dedicated to dining. The bar sections usually host State-sanctioned gambling
machines too and typically off-limits to minors.

Suppose you have Christian friends who sincerely feel it's wrong to dine in a
tavern-style restaurant because of the alcohol and the gambling. Though you
yourself might be comfortable in your own mind that there is no sin in dining at
taverns, your friends are not so sure. So if you were to take them to a tavern, they
would be committing sin in compromising their conscience; and you would be
committing sin by knowingly leading them into a situation that causes them to
make that compromise.

"We may know that these things make no difference, but we cannot just go ahead
and do them to please ourselves. We must be considerate of the doubts and fears
of those who think these things are wrong. We should please others. If we do what
helps them, we will build them up in the Lord." (Rom 15:1-2)

Another pertinent example is Hooters; where the waitresses are cute buxom girls
filled out in all the right places clothed in short shorts, and clingy tops; so that the
situation is a double whammy of babes and alcohol. Supposing your Christian
buddy sincerely feels it's wrong for Christian men to dine at Hooters? Then you
would be wrong in taking him there for a burger even if you were convinced in your
own mind there is nothing wrong with Hooters because you would be leading your
Christian buddy into a situation that's below him and causes him to feel guilty
and/or less of himself.

The Bible says that Christians should accommodate others to their edification
(edification means to build someone up as opposed to tearing them down), Well,
when we please ourselves to their detriment; that's being selfish. Some guys feel
that cute buxom girls and yummy gams are a God-send, while other guys regard
them as the Devil in disguise. The correct route here is to accommodate the more
sensitive conscience.

This is one of those situations that requires that each individual to be convinced in
their own mind whether Hooters is wrong for themselves or okay for themselves
(Rom 14:5) and God forbid that Christians should criticize a fellow Christian who
frequents Hooters because this is indeed one of those gray areas; and just who are
you to legislate the rules for others in gray areas (Rom 14:3-4). It's unfortunate
that there are some very imperious, domineering Christians out and about who see
nothing wrong with bullying others to compromise their convictions just so long as
they get their own way and everybody conforms to their way of thinking.

For example: it is my own personal feelings that Luke 22:35-36 makes it okay for
Christ's followers to own firearms for self defense. Well; a rather opinionated
Christian in one of my Sunday school classes sneered at me for feeling that way
and proceeded to pontificate that Jesus' instructions were only "preparatory" for the
upcoming confrontation with Judas and the crowd that came with him that night to
arrest Jesus. Okay; that's fine with me if that's the way he feels about it; but
sneering at me for feeling my way about it was not only thoughtless, but improper
too.
_

So what should we do if we don't feel love (I'm talking about the emotion)? Should we state our feelings in a truthful, yet cold way (e.g.: "I don't feel any empathy or positive emotions in regards to your suffering, but I'm going to say comforting things to you regardless")? Or should we just keep quiet, say nothing (which would also get us labeled as indifferent and insensitive)?

Truth lies in stone and
Indifference improves upon the whole.


Many moments in life a person should remove themselves from the crowds' thinking, and observe with an objective perspective.

Otherwise another golden calf will be formed by a legion of impatient and vulgar mob with warped minds bent on wealth and destruction cycles that they were taught.
Ie: left/right

 

[pinacled]

.
• Gal 5:26 . . Let us not be conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Webster's defines "conceit" as: excessive self-appreciation of one's own worth or
virtue.

There's nothing intrinsically wrong with having strong core values and/or believing
in yourself, but if you should find yourself somewhat indignant and/or resentful
when others don't believe in you, or when they think very little of your core values;
then watch out because that's a symptom of conceit, and it will hinder you from
obeying The Lord's orders in regard to getting along with fellow believers.

The Greek word for "provoke" is prokaleomai (prok-al-eh'-om-ahee) which means
to challenge; viz: to get in somebody's face in an obnoxious, assertive, militant
manner; which is a kind of behavior that prevents people from deserving
identification with God's kin.

"Blessed are the peaceable: for they shall be called the children of God." (Matt 5:9)

The Greek word for "envy" is phthoneo (fthon-eh'-o) which means: hostile toward a
rival, or towards someone believed to enjoy an advantage. In other words; we're
talking about a competitive spirit— not the good-natured, friendly kind but a
malicious kind of competitive spirit that resents others doing better than itself, or
more popular than itself, or more recognized than itself, or more admired than
itself; viz; it's all about self.

Rivalry is a very destructive passion. It got Abel slain by his own brother, and it got
Christ slain by his own people. Rivalry makes otherwise sensible people behave
contrary to their own better judgment, and gets them embroiled in oftentimes
unnecessary vendettas; e.g. gender rivalry and racial rivalry. Now those two there
are very destructive social influences.
_

Your last paragraph concerning rivalry perhaps needs editing so that clarity is available in reading comprehension.
As is written it sounds as if you are stating that able and christ were slain for their rivaling actions against the enemy of God.

Quayin(cain) was a murderer in heart whom served the enemy with envious strife against his own kin. And even after directly warned to repent still followed through with the unforgivable sin.

 

[pinacled]

Reminds me of removing leaven from ones life.

Leaven described as malice by ole sh'aul(paul) is also further expounded upon in the written proverbs of shlomo(solomon).

Proverbs 6
[" These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:

17 A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,

18 An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,

19 A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. "]

7 things The Holy One hates stands in contrast to The 7 spirits of The Lord of Lights.
One such contrast to darkness is the spirit of understanding. Something that is beautifully expressed with an experiential aspect of time.

Blessings Always

 

[pinacled]

.
• 1Cor 16:15-18 . .You know that the household of Stephanas were the first
converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. I
urge you, brothers, to submit to such as these and to everyone who joins in the
work, and labors at it. I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus
arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed
my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.

Paul and his associates depended pretty heavily upon the hospitality of local
believers for accommodations and daily necessities. Congregations do well to follow
the examples of Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus either by opening their homes
to missionaries or by funding their stay in a motel, providing them with some
pocket money, and possibly a rental car. (Universal gift cards would be good too.)
_

You can't rent a car with gift cards.
The only specific restriction allowed is a bank or credit account in Unites States.

Essentially credit is a form of liable accountability outside of cash transaction.


Hmmm,
I wonder about why the banking(mammon) system of trade has so much clout on travel..¿

 

[pinacled]

.
● Rom 12:20 . . If your personal enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty,
give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals upon his head.

Heaping real live burning coals upon somebody's head would be terribly vindictive
and unchristian; as would wishing them dead and condemned to Hell. It's probably
just meant to be a colloquialism for making someone feel ashamed of themselves.

Way back when the television show "SURVIVOR" was in its second or third season,
two of the women fell out of sorts and one vowed that even if the other were lying
in the street near death from thirst, she'd walk right past and not give her so much
as a drop of water.

Bad form. Christians have to remain civil and not permit detestable people to
dictate the way we treat our fellow men. It is far better for Christ's followers to
exemplify humanitarian principles than satisfy a grudge. I'll admit it's galling to
have to be courteous with people that mistreat us; but what can I say? Christ
expects us to.

"If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax
collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more
than others? Do not even pagans do that?" (Matt 5:46-47)
_

Who is yeshua(christ) addressing in the last paraphrase?

 

[pinacled]

What Does the Bible Say About Understanding?

Bible verses about Understanding

www.openbible.info

 

[pinacled]

.
● Rom 12:16c . . Don't be wise in your own conceit.

Webster's defines "conceit" as excessive self-appreciation of one's own worth or
virtue. In other words we're talking about hubris; which often indicates a loss of
contact with reality and an overestimation of one's own competence,
accomplishments or capabilities.

Conceit is uncivil, untrainable, and intolerable. It truly believes nobody beneath its
dignity could possibly have anything to tell that it doesn't already know; and if it
doesn't already know, then that's because the information possessed by those
beneath its dignity isn't worth knowing.

Those kinds of people will interrupt you right in the middle of your sentence and
begin talking about their own perspective as if your voice is nowhere to be heard in
the whole room. You know why they do that? Because they sincerely believe that
nothing you are in the midst of saying is nearly as important as what they have to
say. In other words: you, and your thoughts, are superfluous.

Conceited folk are generally very picky about their influences too; in other words,
even if somebody is a Spirit-gifted Bible teacher, but are neither published,
accredited, or properly educated, then forget it. That Spirit-gifted somebody is eo
ipso undeserving of conceit's intellectual attention right out of the box.

Conceit is not only stuck on itself; but very critical of others too. I've seen it to
happen time and again that when a Spirit-gifted Bible teacher comes across with a
personality like Elijah's or John the Baptist's that conceit summarily brushes them
off as "unloving" no matter even if they speak as the very voice of God. In other
words; conceit disdains to be taught; rather, conceit seeks to be accommodated.

I think most people in church are aware that conceit is unacceptable.

"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 5:3)

Conceit is a psychological disorder, so people can't just turn it off at will. But unless
something radical is done to correct their conceit; they'll will have to face the sum
of all fears.

"Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you shall
not enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matt 18:3)
_

True

Conceit has a face called arrogance fed by mammon

 

[pinacled]

.
● Rom 12:13a . . Share with God's people who are in need.

The Jews are God's people in accordance with an unconditional covenant that He
made with Abraham. (Gen 17:7-8)

NOTE: Nazi Germany was very nearly 99% Christian. Had they all complied with
Rom 12:13a, the effects of the Holocaust would've no doubt been greatly reduced.
_

Incorrect.
Nazi germany was 99 percent Roman funded and had an issue with trade routes.

 

[JPPT1974]

Yeah as really sad that six million Jews had to tragically and horrifically die due to the evil Na*i regime there.

 

[pinacled]

Yeah as really sad that six million Jews had to tragically and horrifically die due to the evil Na*i regime there.

Dig deeper.

The genocide wasn't focused on race or religion.
It was a disgusting excuse for history that no one has yet to approach far as I can see.

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

Truth lies in stone and
Indifference improves upon the whole.


Many moments in life a person should remove themselves from the crowds' thinking, and observe with an objective perspective.

Otherwise another golden calf will be formed by a legion of impatient and vulgar mob with warped minds bent on wealth and destruction cycles that they were taught.
Ie: left/right

I don't understand the meaning of your answer.

 

[Odë:hgöd]

.
• Eph 4:32 . . Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just
as in Christ God forgave you.

Within the context of the letter Paul wrote and sent to the Christians residing in the
ancient city of Ephesus; the objects "one another" and "each other" are exclusive;
viz: the comments refer only to one's fellow Bible-believing Christians rather than
the world at large. So if you're unwilling to be kind and compassionate to outsiders;
at least be so with people at church so as to help prevent church from becoming a
hostile worship environment.

The Greek word translatred "kind" is chrestos (khrase-tos') which means:
employed; viz: useful.

Chrestos is found in only seven places in the New Testament, and without exception
implies being beneficial to others for their own good rather than using people to
benefit your own self.

The word for "compassionate" is eusplagchnos (yoo'-splangkh-nos) which means:
sympathetic.

Webster's defines sympathy as: 1) an affinity, association, or relationship between
persons or things wherein whatever affects one similarly affects the other, 2)
inclination to think or feel alike: emotional or intellectual accord, 3) feeling of
loyalty: tendency to favor or support, 4) the act, or capacity, of entering into or
sharing the feelings or interests of another, 5) sensitivity, and 6) heart; as in "have
a heart".

Eusplagchnos would make a good substitute for a word found in one of The Lord's
beatitudes.

"Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy." (Matt 5:7)

"merciful" is from the word eleemon (el-eh-ay'-mone) which means pretty much
the same thing as eusplagchnos: compassionate and sympathetic.

It used to be that Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts were trained to be useful to others as
just simply a matter of good deeds and good citizenship. I don't know, maybe they
still are; but I've known lots of churchians who were totally useless to others
because they're infected with an ugly spirit of conceit, rivalry, and indifference. Far
from being kind and compassionate; those Christians are actually sociopathic and
don't even know it.

The word "forgiving" is charizomai (khar-id'-zom-ahee) which basically means: to
grant as a favor; viz: gratuitously, i.e. courtesy.

Webster's defines gratuitous as: 1) given unearned or without recompense, 2) not
involving a return benefit or compensation or consideration, 3) costing nothing:
free, 4) not called for by the circumstances: unwarranted, 5) complimentary, 6)
gratis, and 7) voluntary. In other words; charizomai seeks no reciprocation; it
never says "you owe me one"

Sailors are oft heard to say that the sea is very unforgiving: meaning it allows no
room for error or weakness. Christians ought not be like the sea. We ought to be
the most forgiving people on the planet; and not because we expect others to
reciprocate; but just because we enjoy being gratuitous. For some Christians
though, courtesy is an effort.

Eph 4:31-32 isn't easy. What we're looking at there is not just good citizenship; no,
what we're looking at is something divine in both its nature and its behavior.
_

 

[Odë:hgöd]

.
• Eph 5:2 . . Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as
a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Christ's love went way beyond just being friendly and helpful. His was a sacrificial
kind of love; in other words: it was protective and supportive at the cost of deep
expense to himself— but not just as a humanitarian. Christ's life counted for more
than just being neighborly, his life of love was an act of worship.

"I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him who
sent me." (John 6:38)

"I do always those things that please Him." (John 8:29)

In point of fact, God prefers to be worshipped by concern for others than by rituals
and/or church services attendance.

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we
ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." (1John 3:16)

"For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt
offerings." (Hos 6:6)
_

 

[pinacled]

I don't understand the meaning of your answer.

The land beyond is a spiritual honey of understanding for those whom seek the kingdom.

Asking the Lord how honey is produced reveals petals of flowers and more concerning the beauty of creation.

Blessings Always

 

[pinacled]

.
• Eph 5:2 . . Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as
a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Christ's love went way beyond just being friendly and helpful. His was a sacrificial
kind of love; in other words: it was protective and supportive at the cost of deep
expense to himself— but not just as a humanitarian. Christ's life counted for more
than just being neighborly, his life of love was an act of worship.

"I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but the will of Him who
sent me." (John 6:38)

"I do always those things that please Him." (John 8:29)

In point of fact, God prefers to be worshipped by concern for others than by rituals
and/or church services attendance.

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we
ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." (1John 3:16)

"For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt
offerings." (Hos 6:6)
_

Do flowers offer a self sacrificial love beyond fragrance for others when providing sustenance?

Do trees offer fruit in a likewise self sacrificial form of love to all those that find shelter in the shade of their limbs?

Blessings Always

 

[Lucian Hodoboc]

The land beyond is a spiritual honey of understanding for those whom seek the kingdom.

Asking the Lord how honey is produced reveals petals of flowers and more concerning the beauty of creation.

Blessings Always

Was that supposed to be a clarification? Because if it was, it failed to make me understand your answer.

 

[pinacled]

Was that supposed to be a clarification? Because if it was, it failed to make me understand your answer.

East of the yarden(Jordan) river is a mountain of Blessing.

If a person stands firm upon such a height and faces west they will discover a treasure of the heart.