So Prentis, where do you stand on this doctrine of love? I have a mixed feeling about you. I think you like it, but understand that doctrine and truth guide it. Do you hate that people -- especially preachers -- talk about it so much? I don't like it either, but I think it's an unpleasant topic that is a necessity. After all, Jesus talked about it.
Would you argee with me if I said that God doesn't love all people? You don't have to answer that right now. Just consider the question. Some other questions to consider: Did David love all people, and if he did, how? What did he pray about for them? What about Paul? Did he love all? That's a loaded question.
Here's a loaded question for not only Prentis, but for all. Do you really love your enemy? Form your answer now....
Did you form your answer? OK. Now I ask you.... WHo is your enemy? Mine is Satan.
Do you love Satan? Is he your real enemy? No. I don't love my enemy. Yikes, perhaps I'm not following this love doctrine.
Do you love your enemy? Sure, I don't like Robbie. Sure, I don't like Obama. Sure, I don't like the Pope. Sure, I don't like the Ne York Yankees. My enemy? Don't insult my enemy by suggesting they are he!
Because I hate my enemy with perfect hatred! Robbie, Obama, the Pope an the Yankees are imps compared to my real enemy. You are all like little mosiquoteos. Except maybe the Pope, who is leading many to hell -- Umm... I mean pergatory or some other place..... Cause the gospel of Love doesn't allow us to tell folks... You are damned.
My understanding of it is this.
We cannot judge, and those who do not know Christ, we love, as he loved us. If God empowers, we preach the gospel. The Gospel speaks both of the love of God, that he would accept us if we turn to him, and also of the punishment that will come on the wicked. Both love without correction and correction without love are incomplete.
God is impartial, and so loves all in the sense that he gives all a chance, and he DOES want all to turn to him. But he is not pleased with all, that is certain, and he hates their deeds and what they do.
God says love your enemy, and do not resist him; if he slaps you on the cheek turn the other. But he also says resist the devil. We don't love the enemy of our souls, all that is in him is darkness. But men are just men like us, and we know they are deceived. Thus if they persecute us we cry 'forgive them Lord, they know not what they do'. We must love those who are alienated from God and do not know him. The devil, we do not speak haughtily against him, following Michael's example, but we do resist him, and allow him to have now ground on us. We must indeed hate what God hates.
We love men, as Christ loved all, and wishes for all to come to repentance. But we are to hate what God hates, like the deeds of the Nicolaitans. Did Jesus love the Pharisees when he turned over their tables? Yes. His heart wishes for all to come to him. But 'soft' love, the worlds definition of love is not his love. We must love God first, and hate what separates us from him. We must burn with zeal for the Lord's house.