What Is Love?

Webers_Home · Aug 8, 2019

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● Rom 12:10b . . Honor others over yourselves.

Christians infected with narcissistic personality disorder will find that rule
difficult, if not impossible, to obey. It's a mental condition characterized by a
grandiose sense of self-importance, a need for excessive admiration,
exploitive behavior in relationships, and a lack of empathy.

Narcissistic people are by nature insufferably arrogant, self-absorbed,
indifferent, and insensitive. They see nothing wrong with their behavior, nor
are they attuned to its impact on others. Were you to confront narcissistic
folk with your concerns about their attitude; be prepared for a counterattack
because they'll no doubt become indignant and defensive; possibly accusing
you of selfishness, jealousy, overreaction, hysteria, and unloving behavior.
You see; they're never the problem: you are.

As I was watching a recent series on the National Geographic channel about
geniuses; it became readily apparent to me that people in the genius
category crave recognition. Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso are two very
good examples. Their contributions to art and science were secondary to
their ambitions for greatness. I wouldn't say that all geniuses are like that of
course, but apparently the desire for greatness is not uncommon among
them.

I should think that most alpha achievers would have trouble complying Rom
12:10b too. I mean. why be a winner if not to feel superior to everyone
else? The alpha achiever's motto is: It's not enough to succeed: everyone
else must fail.

Feelings of value are important to everyone's sense of well being, but the
alpha achiever feels only himself to be of any real value; in his mind's eye,
those "below" him are of little worth, i.e. expendable and/or a dime a dozen.
(cf. Est 6:6, Matt 27:26, Mark 12:38 39, and 3John 1:9)
_

Webers_Home · Aug 9, 2019

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● 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.
_

Webers_Home · Aug 11, 2019

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● Rom 12:13b . . Practice hospitality.

Webster's defines hospitable as: (1) given to generous and cordial reception
of guests, (2) promising or suggesting generous and cordial welcome, (3)
offering a pleasant or sustaining environment.

In other words; a hospitable person is civil, courteous, thoughtful, easy on
one's nerves, helpful, approachable, diplomatic, accommodating, and relaxing
to be with.
_

Webers_Home · Aug 12, 2019

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● Rom 12:14 . . Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.

The koiné Greek word for "persecute" is dioko (dee-o'-ko) which means to
pursue; i.e. to hound. In other words; a persecuting personality is one
whose mission in life is to ruin somebody's day at every opportunity; and
they are pretty good at finding ways to do it.

Christians are under orders to remain civil with people deliberately out to get
them; and not let snipers discourage the practice of hospitality. If they want
to behave like predators, that's their choice; just be careful you don't choose
to react in kind.
_

Webers_Home · Aug 13, 2019

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● Rom 12:15 . .When others are happy, be happy with them. If they are
sad, share their sorrow.

A number of factors play a role in the making of an insensitive clod; one of
which is defective areas of the brain called amygdalae. In brief, the
amygdalae control, to a large extent, our emotions; i.e. our feelings,
especially relative to empathy.

Normal amygdalae make it possible to commiserate; which can be roughly
defined as feeling sympathy and/or compassion as opposed to just going
thru the motions. For example: I heard somewhere that half of us go to
funerals to honor folk we couldn't be bothered with when they were alive
and then lie through out teeth when we tell the family "I'm sorry for your
loss."

Defective amygdalae are usually a genetic problem; i.e. people with them
were born that way. So, they are going to have a pretty difficult time of it
when it comes to sharing in the happiness and/or the sorrow of others.

"Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots?" (Jer 13:23)

The answer to both those questions is of course NO; like they say: you can't
get blood out of a turnip. So then, how is it reasonable to expect empathy
challenged Christians to share the happiness of happy people and/or the
sorrows of sad people?

Well; it isn't reasonable, but neither is it hopeless seeing as how a portion of
the fruit of the Spirit is love (Gal 5:22). In other words: there's a
supernatural remedy for personality disorders. (cf. Ezek 36:26)

BTW: It's surprising the number of Christians that I've encountered, even
Sunday school teachers, who honestly believe that feelings have no role
whatsoever in the practice of Christianity. As a result, they go about the
business of their Christian life as insensitive mannequins: heartless, cold,
and metallic; sort of like the Tin Woodsman of the Wizard of Oz-- without a
heart, he couldn't feel the passionate emotions he once felt for the love of
his life. Without a heart; the poor, pitiful man was barely a sentient being.
_

Webers_Home · Aug 14, 2019

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● Rom 12:16a . . Live in harmony with each other.

It isn't necessary to be in 100% agreement with others on everything in
order to comply with that command. But it is necessary to practice courtesy,
tolerance, and patience, i.e. make every effort to avoid feuding, debating,
and one-upsmanship, and. The opposite of harmony is dissonance, which
can be defined as a mingling of sounds that strike the ear harshly, e.g. sour
notes.

For some people, every disagreement is an act of war to be won at any cost.
That's not harmony, that's hostility. It's far and away better for Christians to
be diplomatic than to be right all the time.

● 2Cor 12:19-20 . . . For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I
want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that
there may be quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, factions, slander,
gossip, arrogance and disorder.
_

justbyfaith · Aug 14, 2019

Fighting over doctrine is one thing...hashing it out in order to come to the proper conclusion is another.

Webers_Home · Aug 15, 2019

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● Rom 12:16b . . Don't be elitist, but willing to associate with people below
you.

I'd have to say that those instructions apply only in church where it's
understood by Spirit-led Christians that no one in attendance is somehow
better than another. (cf. Jas 2:1-4)

Church managers should be given a higher degree of respect than pew
warmers because they're in positions of authority; but all in all, church is a
congregation of redeemed sinners, and that includes the managers; so we're
all equals on that basis. Christ had to undergo just as much suffering,
indignity, and death to redeem church managers as he did for everyone else
so God forbid that the hierarchy should exhibit a holier-than-thou attitude;
viz: a superiority complex. (cf. Matt 23:2-7)
_

Webers_Home · Aug 16, 2019

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● Rom 12:18 . . If possible, so far as it in your power, be at peace with all
men.

Assertive, defensive, demanding, fault-finding, imperious, judgmental,
confrontational, argumentative, bossy, spirited, hard-nosed, implacable,
moody, thin skinned, vindictive, abrasive, spiteful people are not allowed in
heaven. Why? Because heaven is a place of peace (Matt 5:9, Rom 14:17).

Disagreeable people who fight at the drop of a hat simply don't fit in heaven
and besides, not only would they be a fish out of water; but it wouldn't be
fair to the others to let difficult people in to heaven where they would surely
turn it into the same kind of hellish world to live in that they've made the
Earth.

Christians should not be difficult. Of all people, they should be the easiest to
get along with.
_

Webers_Home · Aug 17, 2019

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● Rom 12:19 . . Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave it to the
wrath of God, for it is written: Vengeance is mine, I will repay; testifies The
Lord.

The focus is upon one's "own" revenge; in other words: if the matter can't
be settled legally; let it go rather than take it upon yourself to be
prosecutor, judge, jury, and executioner, i.e. a vigilante. Those who seek
justice outside the justice system are no less criminals than the people they
seek to punish.
_

Philip James · Aug 17, 2019

Never turn away the stranger in need..

Peace!

Webers_Home · Aug 18, 2019

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● 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.

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? It's Christ's wishes.

● Matt 5:46-47 . . 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?
_

VictoryinJesus · Aug 18, 2019

Webers_Home said:
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● Rom 12:9a . . Don't just pretend that you love others.

Webster's defines "pretense" as fiction, make-believe, and/or simulation.
Ironically, pretense is foundational to ordinary civility and common courtesy.
But when it comes to love; Christians should never put on a front. In other
words: don't lead someone on to believe you care about them when in
reality you don't. That's not only dishonest; it's cruel.

I once asked a rather incompetent Sunday school teacher, in so many
words, whether feelings play a role in Christianity. He said that feelings are
emotions and therefore insignificant. Well; I have to disagree.

● Col 3:12 . . Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels
of mercies

The koiné Greek word for "bowels" in that passage is splagchnon (splangkh'
non) which basically refers to one's intestines; i.e. the tummy; which says to
me that bowels of mercies are emotions rather than just good manners.

In other words: real love isn't a non emotional academic concept; it contains
things like pity, sympathy, empathy, compassion, thoughtfulness, and
sensitivity. Real love is easily mimicked, but not all that easy to feel;
especially by people who, by nature, are more monster than human.
_

“He said that feelings are
emotions and therefore insignificant. Well; I have to disagree.” ...has he read any of the Psalms??

Webers_Home · Aug 19, 2019

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● Rom 14:1 . . Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on
disputable matters.

A strong faith consists of the elements of knowledge, confidence, assurance,
and conviction. A weak faith can be defined as vacillating; viz: one that's not
all that sure whether something is wrong for a Christian; or even that
something is right; in other words, a weak faith lacks the elements of
knowledge, confidence, assurance, and conviction.

Disputable matters are matters of opinion rather than matters of fact.
Opinions are often subjective, biased, and arbitrary, rather than objective,
unbiased, and by-the book. Opinions inevitably invite perpetual debating
that never really gets to the bottom of anything; which, in matters of
spiritual significance is strictly forbidden within the context of the 14th
chapter of Romans; because debatable matters are not matters of doctrine;
but rather; matters of conscience.

We're not talking about black and white doctrines and principles here. Those
are not open to debate. We're talking about gray areas.

"Thou shalt not commit adultery" is black and white; while issues like video
games, music, fashions, foods, cosmetics, movies, self defense, gambling,
swim suits, alcohol, tobacco, firearms, fasting, religious art, crucifixes,
couture, and holy days of obligation are debatable. In regards to those
areas; let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind rather than
somebody else's mind.

Those are things about which each has to decide for themselves according to
the dictates of their own conscience; and God forbid they should impose
their personal dictates upon others and thus become dictatorial because
that's playing God and usurping Christ's sovereign prerogative to make the
rules for his own church.
_

Nancy · Aug 19, 2019

Webers_Home said:
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● Rom 12:7a . . If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well.

"serving well" implies serving conscientiously and whole-heartedly rather
than half-baked, grudging, and/or hit and miss.

One of my brothers has been a construction foreman for decades and one of
his perpetual complaints is that he never knows from one day to the next
whether some of the men he hires on jobs will show up. In other words:
they aren't reliable-- he can't count on them.

What I'm saying is: if you're thinking about becoming helpful in some way,
don't do it unless you're willing to commit to the long haul because people
need to know that they can depend on you to stay the course.
_

Amen, and this goes for anything at all you let your "yea" be...right down to your local bodies prayer list. If we cannot be faithful in these little things... ¯\_

_/¯
"Do nothing out of vein conceit..." Philippians 2:3-4.

marks · Aug 19, 2019

Webers_Home said:
I'll
admit it's galling to have to be courteous with people that mistreat us; but
what can I say? It's Christ's wishes.

Hi Webers_Home,

It can feel this way, can it not? But I suggest that feeling this way is from flesh, not spirit, and that to love our enemies is fulfilling, if that's what we're really doing.

We can force ourselves to be polite, and that is good, but God will supply love in our hearts and minds for all others, including those who are most against us, if we trust Him to do that. And then, to return good for evil brings rejoicing.

Much love!

Webers_Home · Aug 20, 2019

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● Rom 14:2-4 . . One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another
man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats
everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does
not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has
accepted him.

If somebody sincerely believes that fast food, GMO, high fructose corn
syrup, non organic produce, processed foods, grain-fed beef, raw oysters,
sushi, and/or anything fried in lard is sinful; well; more power to them; but
God forbid they should condemn others who disagree.

So then; whether or not to eat grass-fed beef or grain-fed beef is your call;
although in my judicious estimation; you run a much higher risk of
contracting E.coli 0157-H7 by eating grain-fed beef. But the choice to run
that risk is yours alone; not mine. The important point to note is that either
way, God will accept one's diet just so long as they are convinced in their
own mind it's not a sinful diet. And God forbid that we should undertake to
pressure someone via debating and sophistry to violate their conscience.
_

Webers_Home · Aug 21, 2019

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● Rom 14:5 . . One man considers one day more sacred than another;
another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced
in his own mind.

Common Christian holy days are The Lord's Day (Sunday), Solemnity of
Mary the Mother of God, the Epiphany, Solemnity of Saint Joseph Husband
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Ascension Trinity Sunday, Solemnity of
Saints Peter and Paul, Good Friday, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, All Saints, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Christmas), and the
Sabbath. Some would probably include Easter and Ash Wednesday.

If your denomination, or your church of choice, rules that days like the
above are sacred, then for you they are. Whether God himself really and
truly rules them as sacred is irrelevant. What matters is whether you are
convinced He does.
_

justbyfaith · Aug 21, 2019

Webers_Home said:
.
● Rom 14:5 . . One man considers one day more sacred than another;
another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced
in his own mind.

Common Christian holy days are The Lord's Day (Sunday), Solemnity of
Mary the Mother of God, the Epiphany, Solemnity of Saint Joseph Husband
of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Ascension Trinity Sunday, Solemnity of
Saints Peter and Paul, Good Friday, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Mary, All Saints, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ (Christmas), and the
Sabbath. Some would probably include Easter and Ash Wednesday.

If your denomination, or your church of choice, rules that days like the
above are sacred, then for you they are. Whether God himself really and
truly rules them as sacred is irrelevant. What matters is whether you are
convinced He does.
_

Nevertheless, I believe that Galatians 4:10-11 would indicate that it is not a good thing to observe days, and months, and seasons, and years.

Gal 4:10, Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years.
Gal 4:11, I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed upon you labour in vain.

Philip James · Aug 21, 2019

Love is: to lay down one's life for another.

Peace be with you!

What Is Love?

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