A Hard Command To Follow

when we learn the power behind this love which activates our faith, and hides a great number of sins, we will then start to grow with GOD. untill then your on your own.

First of all Jesus is talking directly to his disciples in John 15 .... he is telling them to love each other ... he is not talking to us.

Certainly we Christians are later told that we are to love one another ...... but that is a different instruction than the one by Jesus to his chosen apostles.

Love is the opposite of hate ...... so although it can be hard to love our fellow christians .... I think we are OK as long as we do not literally hate them

And if we do .... either there is something wrong with us .... or something wrong with the person who is causing us problems .... and we have to contemplate whether they (or we) are actually Christians ..... or if we (or they) need to modify something they are doing .

If somebody is giving me hassles .... or if I dislike them .... I would much rather let my feelings out and then try to sort through it.

I feel that is more productive than pretending to be some fake and phony luvy-luvy goody-goody little church boy or something.

You cant fake your internal feelings .... so why try to fake your external response.

Besides God hates fakes and goes by what is in the heart.

If someone is causing you problems let them know and then see if it can be fixed up ..... if they refuse you have done your part and I do not feel you are required to express love to them.

But it could also turn out that it is something you are doing that started the whole thing. Misunderstandings are usually the cause of these situations.

One of the biggest misunderstandings Christians make is applying Jesus' specific instructions to His 12 disciples as though they were directed at us personally.

Those 12 founded the early church after Jesus left. We did not. We are the recipients of the Apostles teachings and writings.

I have a really hard time loving immature Christians who refuse to grow and just make excuse after excuse for the reasons for it.

Do you know how Jesus loved us? He gave us the Truth of God's Word which is the greatest thing you can do for another fallen human being who suffers daily for the sinful life they live. God can not bless us when we are children of darkness. For the Word raises us up in character, integrity, and the agape love of God which is His Truth and THEN we live a blessed life in love because we love the Truth. Most people can't handle the truth and they reject the Word of Truth, in fact, they HATE him and wish he WERE dead. But he is the way, the Truth and the life and ALIVE! Forever more.
Prov 4:20-22
20 My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
KJV

John 17:16-17
16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
KJV

2 Thess 2:8-10
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:
9 Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
KJV
1 Peter 1:22-23
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
KJV
1 John 3:17-18
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?
18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
KJV
2 John 1-6
1:1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.
3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
KJV

I am Second said:

I have a really hard time loving immature Christians who refuse to grow and just make excuse after excuse for the reasons for it.

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Do you have children? Are you thinking of having children? Consider His own patience with you in your life.

hldude said:

“A Hard Command To Follow”
By Zach Wood
John 15:12

I wanted to share a passage with you that I was reading the other day during my devotional time and it really spoke to me.

When I read that passage, I thought of all the excuses I so often use toward God about not loving certain people who have treated me wrong. But when I read this, I realize how much love God gave to me by coming to die for me and how little He asks for us to reach out and love others.

Loving others may seem like a very hard task, but when I consider what Jesus went through to show His love for me, I shouldn’t complain about His command to love others. This is not to say loving others is not difficult sometimes. But we must remember what was done for us through Christ’s death and sacrifice to show us love when we have a hard time loving others.

I find myself giving so many excuses when God tells me to love on someone who has wronged me or has done something to lose my respect. When people wrong us, hurt and/or do something that causes us to lose respect for them, we have a right to feel angry and frustrated. However, God never told us we have the right to hold a grudge or to avoid them and not show love.

I know there are so many different situations we can bring up and discuss where people argue of their reasoning to not to show to someone who has deeply hurt them or done something horrific in their family. I myself have felt and would probably feel the same way toward those who have done that, but I know that God tells me I need to show love as He has shown love to me.

Maybe there is someone you know right now that you have not shown any love toward because of what he or she has done. Would you pray that God would work in your heart and give you the ability and desire to show them love? I know that’s probably asking a lot, but just give that a try. It’s not a change that will happen overnight, but God will give us, through consistent prayer, the understanding and ability to love those who are hard to love.

Remember Jesus’ words, “Love each other as I have loved you.”

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So, how did Jesus love? That is how you should love if He lives in you. His love is not mushy. It is truthful, sometimes hurts.

Jesus told the Pharisees: "Offspring of vipers, how can you speak good things, when you are wicked ? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."(Matt 12:34) Jesus established that what is in our heart, it comes forth from our mouth. Hence, if we say that we are a "Christian", but do not pattern our life after Jesus (John 13:15), following in his "footsteps" (1 Pet 2:21), we will say "wicked" things.

Jesus further said: "The good man out of his good treasure sends out good things, whereas the wicked man out of his wicked treasure sends out wicked things."(Matt 12:35) Jesus made known that "where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."(Matt 6:19)

Thus, a person with good heart (or "good treasure") "sends out good things", speaking words that truly emulate Jesus in showing love, carefully counting their words so as to upbuild, whereas, the person with a wicked heart (or "wicked treasure"), one that takes no real serious consideration of following Jesus, though professing to be "Christian", "sends out wicked things", often venting his anger and then making an excuse for his conduct later, speaking what is "on his mind" even though it may be true.

Hence, Jesus concludes: "I tell you that every unprofitable saying that men speak, they will render an account concerning it on Judgment Day (Jesus millennial reign in the near future); for by your words you will be declared righteous, and by your words you will be condemned."(Matt 12:36, 37)

A true Christian will work diligently to pattern their life course after Jesus, in which Jesus said: "Take my yoke on you and learn from me, for I am mild-tempered and lowly in heart."(Matt 11:29) A genuine Christian will "exert themselves vigorously" (Luke 13:24) to imitate Jesus perfect example of being "mild-tempered", realizing that being "half-hearted", trying in effect to serve "two masters" does not gain Jehovah God's favor.(Matt 6:24)

Many though professing to be Christian, display animosity towards those who they dislike, sometimes allowing this to build up rather than dismissing it. Jesus said: "I say to you that everyone who continues wrathful with his brother will be accountable to the court of justice; but whoever, addresses his brother with an unspeakable word of contempt ("Raca", KJV) will be accountable to the Supreme Court; whereas whoever says, 'You dispicable fool ! ' will be liable to the fiery Gehenna (everlasting destruction)."(Matt 5:22)

Jesus used things familiar to the Jews—the court of justice, the Supreme Court, and the fiery Gehenna—to convey to them the increasing severity of the punishments for sins of increasing seriousness. First, Jesus said that everyone who continues wrathful with his brother will be accountable to “the court of justice,” the local court. According to tradition, these courts were set up in cities with an adult male population of 120 or more. (Matthew 10:17; Mark 13:9) The judges at such a court had authority to render judgment, even on murder cases. (Deuteronomy 16:18; 19:12; 21:1, 2) Thus, Jesus was showing that a person who harbors smoldering wrath against his brother is committing a serious sin.

Jesus next said that a person who “addresses his brother with an unspeakable word of contempt will be accountable to the Supreme Court.” The Greek word rha·ka´ (footnote) rendered “an unspeakable word of contempt” means “empty” or “empty-headed.” According to The New Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, that word was “a term of reproach used by the Jews in the time of Christ.”

Jesus was thus warning against the seriousness of expressing hatred toward a countryman with a derogatory term of contempt. Jesus was as much as saying that a person using such a word would be judged not just by a local court but by the Supreme Court, the full Sanhedrin—the judicial body in Jerusalem made up of the high priest and 70 older men and scribes.(Mark 15:1)

Finally, Jesus explained that if a person addresses another, “You despicable fool!” he would be liable to the fiery Gehenna. The word “Gehenna” comes from the Hebrew words geh hin·nom´, meaning “valley of Hinnom,” which lay to the west and south of ancient Jerusalem. In Jesus’ day, the valley had become a place for burning refuse, including the bodies of vile criminals who were considered undeserving of a decent burial. So the word “Gehenna” was a fitting symbol of complete destruction.

What, then, did the expression “despicable fool” signify? The word used here sounded similar to a Hebrew term that means “rebellious,” or “mutinous.” It designates a person as morally worthless, an apostate and a rebel against God. So the person addressing his fellow as a “despicable fool” is as much as saying that his brother should receive a punishment fit for a rebel against God, everlasting destruction. From God’s standpoint, the one uttering such a condemnation against another could merit that severe sentence—everlasting destruction—himself.(Deuteronomy 19:17-19)

Amen. It's kind of ironic that one of the quickest places to go to get hated on is a Christian forum. Maybe Jesus even wants Christians to look past their theological differences and love one another.

And it's true that sometimes love hurts. But let's make sure our focus and motive is the "love" and not the "hurt".

Arnie Manitoba said:

First of all Jesus is talking directly to his disciples in John 15 .... he is telling them to love each other ... he is not talking to us.

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Lol. When I read the original post, I was jokingly thinking to myself that someone would come on here and argue that Jesus doesn't really expect us to love one another. I didn't think it would really happen, and I sure didn't think it would be by the second reply. :blink:

forrestcupp said:

When I read the original post, I was jokingly thinking to myself that someone would come on here and argue that Jesus doesn't really expect us to love one another. I didn't think it would really happen, and I sure didn't think it would be by the second reply. :blink:

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You are very mistaken ..... nowhere did I say such a thing .... you have manufactured an untruth.

What I did say was that Jesus was instructing his disciples. We must keep that in mind as we read it ..... otherwise it is out of context.

This is no different than God instructing Noah on how to be saved by building an ark ...... the instructions are not for you and me.

the same when Jesus confronted Paul on the road to Damascus ..... Jesus words were specifically to Paul ..... not you and I.

When Jesus said to Peter .... "get behind me Satan" .... do you feel The Lord was instructing you .... or Peter .... ???

If I am a devout religious Jew who is a recent convert to Christianity ..... I can take the messages in the Book of Hebrews and apply it directly to myself ..... but if I am a Gentile North American who has never partaken in Jewish temple sacrifices and rituals ..... I must not view Hebrews as though it applies to me personally .

When God gives instructions to Ezekiel for the dimensions of the new Jerusalem temple ..... it is not instructions for how a Presbyterian should build a church in New York ...... nor is it instructions regarding the human Christian body referred to as a temple of the Holy Spirit.

if Jesus is giving specific instructions to his 12 disciples we must keep that in mind.

The most elementary bible study requires reading our bibles in proper context .

Arnie Manitoba said:

You are very mistaken ..... nowhere did I say such a thing .... you have manufactured an untruth.

What I did say was that Jesus was instructing his disciples. We must keep that in mind as we read it ..... otherwise it is out of context.

This is no different than God instructing Noah on how to be saved by building an ark ...... the instructions are not for you and me.

the same when Jesus confronted Paul on the road to Damascus ..... Jesus words were specifically to Paul ..... not you and I.

When Jesus said to Peter .... "get behind me Satan" .... do you feel The Lord was instructing you .... or Peter .... ???

If I am a devout religious Jew who is a recent convert to Christianity ..... I can take the messages in the Book of Hebrews and apply it directly to myself ..... but if I am a Gentile North American who has never partaken in Jewish temple sacrifices and rituals ..... I must not view Hebrews as though it applies to me personally .

When God gives instructions to Ezekiel for the dimensions of the new Jerusalem temple ..... it is not instructions for how a Presbyterian should build a church in New York ...... nor is it instructions regarding the human Christian body referred to as a temple of the Holy Spirit.

if Jesus is giving specific instructions to his 12 disciples we must keep that in mind.

The most elementary bible study requires reading our bibles in proper context .

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Hi Arnie,

Everything that Jesus said to His disciples back in His time on earth may be applied to His future disciples. By His Spirit today, He may even tell one of His disciples what He told Peter".

Mar_8:33 "...thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men."

I am a Gentile by human birth but a true Jew (Romans 2:28-29) by my new birth so I have no problem with relating to Hebrews and it speaks volumes to me.


Axehead

forrestcupp said:

Amen. It's kind of ironic that one of the quickest places to go to get hated on is a Christian forum. Maybe Jesus even wants Christians to look past their theological differences and love one another.

And it's true that sometimes love hurts. But let's make sure our focus and motive is the "love" and not the "hurt".Lol. When I read the original post, I was jokingly thinking to myself that someone would come on here and argue that Jesus doesn't really expect us to love one another. I didn't think it would really happen, and I sure didn't think it would be by the second reply. :blink:

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If we take ourselves too seriously then we will mistakenly think people hate us when they simply just disagree with our view or position.

I know y'all love me.

His love is not mushy. It is truthful, sometimes hurts.

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It sure does. The condition of Christians within a church in this age is rather shocking to me. I was talking to a guy in my church recently and I asked him what he does. He said he is building a Buddhist Temple. You could have knocked me over with a feather! No one else thought it was odd. Are you kidding me? Paul would have wrote six pages to that church. Another guy is 300 pounds overweight and keeps asking for prayer for his failing knees, come on. Another is taking too many vacations and is afraid he is going to get fired and won't be able to feed his small children and wife. Another Christian woman I know promotes homosexuality as it is no different than a man and a woman. Another guy says he goes to church so that they can take care of him when he gets old. This is all in a matter of a week. What I find surprising is that no one says anything to them, I tried and was told that they are immature or they had a hard life .... these people were defended by others with so many excuses it was sickening. Maybe that is the condition of the church today, it's more of a social club. They just don't want to hear it.

Arnie Manitoba said:

You are very mistaken ..... nowhere did I say such a thing .... you have manufactured an untruth.

What I did say was that Jesus was instructing his disciples. We must keep that in mind as we read it ..... otherwise it is out of context.

This is no different than God instructing Noah on how to be saved by building an ark ...... the instructions are not for you and me.

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First of all, if I viewed the entire Bible like what you're describing, then none of it would apply to me. The book of Ephesians was written to the church at Ephesus. 1 Corinthians was written to the church at Corinth, etc.

But if you want to take things into context, then it's good to take John 15:12 in the context of the whole teaching. From the end of John 13 to the end of chapter 16, Jesus is making a last effort before the cross to teach how we should live and rely on the Holy Spirit after He is gone. Then in chapter 17, He seals this teaching with a prayer. From the end of chapter 13 to the end of chapter 17, it is one event. During His prayer to seal this final major teaching, this is part of His prayer:

John 17:20 "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;
John 17:21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
John 17:22 "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;
John 17:23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

Obviously, if you take John 15:12 in context, it's part of the overall teaching and prayer that apply to all of us. And the fact that He specifically prays that we (even the future generation) would be perfected in unity shows that He definitely means for John 15:12 to apply to us. There's no way we can possibly be perfected in unity if we don't love one another.

forrestcupp said:

First of all, if I viewed the entire Bible like what you're describing, then none of it would apply to me. The book of Ephesians was written to the church at Ephesus. 1 Corinthians was written to the church at Corinth, etc.

But if you want to take things into context, then it's good to take John 15:12 in the context of the whole teaching. From the end of John 13 to the end of chapter 16, Jesus is making a last effort before the cross to teach how we should live and rely on the Holy Spirit after He is gone. Then in chapter 17, He seals this teaching with a prayer. From the end of chapter 13 to the end of chapter 17, it is one event. During His prayer to seal this final major teaching, this is part of His prayer:

John 17:20 "I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word;
John 17:21 that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me.
John 17:22 "The glory which You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be one, just as We are one;
John 17:23 I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have loved Me.

Obviously, if you take John 15:12 in context, it's part of the overall teaching and prayer that apply to all of us. And the fact that He specifically prays that we (even the future generation) would be perfected in unity shows that He definitely means for John 15:12 to apply to us. There's no way we can possibly be perfected in unity if we don't love one another.

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Arnie, when you read the Bible you have to be open to the Lord quickening a verse or a thought from a verse to your spirit. We have a relationship with the Lord not only through His word but through His Spirit.

Are you saying that nothing in the Book of Ephesians or Corinthians applies to you because it was penned by Paul to the Church of Ephesus and the Church of Corinth but not the Church that Arnie goes to? I am not being sarcastic (sometimes one cannot tell through text) so please help me to understand what you mean. In Ephesians, we are "seated with Christ in heavenly places". Are you saying this does not apply to you?

All the best,
Axehead

Axehead said:

Arnie, when you read the Bible you have to be open to the Lord quickening a verse or a thought from a verse to your spirit. We have a relationship with the Lord not only through His word but through His Spirit.

Are you saying that nothing in the Book of Ephesians or Corinthians applies to you because it was penned by Paul to the Church of Ephesus and the Church of Corinth but not the Church that Arnie goes to? I am not being sarcastic (sometimes one cannot tell through text) so please help me to understand what you mean. In Ephesians, we are "seated with Christ in heavenly places". Are you saying this does not apply to you?

All the best,
Axehead

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You do realize that you quoted me, and not Arnie, right?

I was saying that to prove a point. Of course I believe that Ephesians and Corinthians apply to us. I was telling Arnie that if John 15 doesn't apply to me because Jesus was speaking to the disciples and not directly to me, then none of the Bible applies to me. I was just using Ephesians and Corinthians as an example. They obviously apply to us, even though they were written to specific churches, so it's not a good argument that John 15 doesn't apply to us because He was speaking to His disciples.

Then I went on to try to show specifically that John 15 does apply to us.

hey everybody ..... nobody is saying that all of the bible is not for all of us ..... nobody is saying we should not strive to be as good as the apostles ..... nobody is saying we should not love each other .... nobody is saying we should not try to heal the sick .....

The point I keep trying to make is that when Jesus is instructing the 12 we should not automatically assume that we can all do those same things .... many people feel like failures because they cannot raise the dead or heal the sick in the same manner the 12 did.

And I keep repeating that John 13 and onward Jesus is specifically talking to his apostles ...... he makes that absolutely clear in john 13:18 because he tells them Judas is not included.

18 “I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: ‘He {Judas} who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.’

Not only that ...... later when he has further discussions he comes right out and says he is talking to the 11 apostles.

look folks ..... i could care less if anybody here thinks they are an apostle ..... eat your hearts out ...... but you will have a big mandate on your shoulders ..... and you better not stumble ...... and you should also be able to write inspired error free holy scriptures just like the original apostles.

And if all the Christians in the world are apostles ...... the foundations of the new Jerusalem will have to be covered with billions of names .... instead of just the names of the 12 apostles .

My biggest concern has always been for the Christians who feel like failures because somebody told them they should be doing all the things the apostles did..... I try to point out that our function is to believe in the apostles' messages .... not necessarily be one of them.

Certainly there can be a lot of overlap between accomplishments of the believers and apostles .... but that is a different subject.

The word should be " Loves"not "loved" God does not stop loving anyone, " loved" says He did stop loving.

In All His Love

Wow, I had to go back and see what the OP was all about because now we are talking about people "feeling bad" because they can't heal or do what the Apostles did. I think that is just spiritual pride because it is Jesus Christ that does anything at all through us. People should be more concerned about their heart than their works and stop looking at other people.

2Co_10:12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.

But, I do understand what you are saying Arnie. We live in a "works oriented", "performance oriented" Christendom where quality of relationship is not that important and "works" are vaunted over "love" and the "simplicity of Christ". And "performance minded" robots are always asking "What are you doing for the Lord". Of course nothing you say will satisfy them if you are not raising the dead or healing the sick (as if they are).

How about I am going to work everyday, loving the people I work with and providing for my family? No, it has to be something "BIG". I just want to tell everyone that all we do everyday is spiritual because we walk with Jesus 24x7x365. So, when you go to work, love your wife and kids, are kind to people at work who may not be kind to you, praying for them, and helping them and being patient with them, you are doing righteous acts of the Lord. It is these "little" things in life that are big to the Lord and really reveal if we have a relationship with the Him or not. Enduring everyday in all the trials and tribulations of family problems, sickness, work problems, (just general people problems), etc, etc. I know it is not as glorious as standing in a pulpit and giving a 3 point sermon or going on a 1 month missions trip, but it is where the rubber meets the road in our lives. We are to love people as Jesus loved people. What is so hard about that? The Spirit of God shows you how to do this because exact situations are not in the Bible. We must be led by the Spirit. Nothing is canned. Sometimes people do need truth spoken in love, sometimes someone may need understanding or mercy or say nothing and just give a helping hand. The Bible is not a rule book of regulations.

Our standard is Christ, not the Apostles, nor anyone in history, on TV or in forums.

I do not allow myself to be judged by anyone nor do I compare myself with what others are doing. I will blaze my own trail with the Lord and stand before Him one day and no one will be there to help me.


As for all these people always bragging about what they "are doing for the Lord", which is what really make the "weak" feel bad. Pro 26:12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

By the way, I don't submit to "spiritual interviews". So, when someone asks me "What are you doing for the Lord", I try to think of a kind answer suspecting that they may not even know what they are saying.

Axehead

Hey Arnie. We are talking about love, here. Jesus will say.."My bretheren, inasmuch as you did it to the least of these, you did it to Me" (paraphrased). Rom.5:5 declares that the love of God is poured out into our hearts. The fruit of the spirit includes and begins with..love. Paul declared that love is the fulfillment of the law. He also said to owe nothing to no man except love. Shall I go on?
What I find most curious here is the idea that love somehow comes from our intellect. It actually resides within the new man, and those who have put on the new man (Eph.4:24) do not need to make conscious decisions concerning love. It just happens.

We might want to identify the actual meaning of the word, here. This kind of love is not just a feeling. It will superceed our feelings. It is about doing or saying the right thing regardless of feelings...and I might add..for the right reasons. Love will act for another for the sake of the other. Love does not seek its own. The love we have from God is secure and assured. We need not love others for our own gain or benefit. We simply do it because they need it.

It is simple psychology that those who are behaving badly are doing so because of a lack of love within themselves. Hating them back will only fuel what is in them. Love is what they need.

I feel that in many cases, the Christian that has a hard time loving has not yet understood in his heart the magnitude of the love that is extended from God towards him. We love Him because He first loved us. This is a natural result, not a contrived one.

Very nice, willie.

If the love of God has not been shed abroad in our hearts then we are not capable of loving others with the "God kind of love". It definitely is not an intellectual exercise.

Rom_5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

forrestcupp said:

Amen. It's kind of ironic that one of the quickest places to go to get hated on is a Christian forum. Maybe Jesus even wants Christians to look past their theological differences and love one another.

And it's true that sometimes love hurts. But let's make sure our focus and motive is the "love" and not the "hurt".Lol. When I read the original post, I was jokingly thinking to myself that someone would come on here and argue that Jesus doesn't really expect us to love one another. I didn't think it would really happen, and I sure didn't think it would be by the second reply. :blink:

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Why is it that "Christians" (as on this and other forums) are the ones that show so much hate ? One reason could be that the unscriptural belief in a torturous "hellfire" could be a trigger, as well as the religious leaders of Christendom inciting their members to go to war, physically venting their hatred toward others and being able to justify it in the eyes of the "church"(but not in God's eyes).

For example, Just before the 2011 Christmas celebrations, fighting broke out among some 100 priests and monks of rival denominations in the Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem. “It was a trivial problem that . . . occurs every year,” said a police lieutenant-colonel. “No one was arrested because all those involved were men of God.”(REUTERS NEWS SERVICE, U.S.A, Dec 28, 2011) These so-called "men of God" showed their true character, just as the Jewish religious leaders displayed theirs and in which Jesus said to them: "I well know that you do not have the love of God in you."(John 5:42)

And when speaking with the Jews, who were in a covenant relationship with Jehovah God, but who exhibited hate, Jesus said sternly: "If God were your Father, you would love me, for from God I came forth and am here. Neither have I come of my own initiative at all, but One sent me forth....You are from your father, the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father. That one was a manslayer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him.When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition."(John 8:42, 44)

The same is true of the churches of Christendom, who have instilled, not a genuine love for God, whereby they have hidden his name Jehovah and supplanted it with "Lord" or "God" in their Bibles, but have sent off their young men to war, to "become sharers with the demons".(1 Cor 10:20) They have not taught their members to put on the "new personality" ("new man", KJV) that imitates Jesus.(Col 3:10)