How is it that Pagans practice Love Thy Neighbor?

[Bob]

There are at least two scripture passages that show that pagans practice Love Thy Neighbor:
Romans 2: 14 & 15; and Acts 28: 3 - 7.

E.g.: “Indeed when the gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required of the law, . . ., they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts . . . .”

Question: Is it because

a. we are created by God with a nature inclined toward Love Thy Neighbor (despite the distortions of the fall), or

b. we are born with the ability to learn Love Thy Neighbor, and God is at work in the lives of all people (regardless of their beliefs)?

(Nature vs. Nurture)

 

[MatthewG]

Most certainly, it is individual who looks to God, and it humbles them. They actively seek God in faith. They either may know Christ, or heard of Christ, or do not know of Christ at all, but God writes his laws on the hearts and minds of those who are his by the spirit, those are some of my thoughts on it, Bob.

 

[dev553344]

There are at least two scripture passages that show that pagans practice Love Thy Neighbor:
Romans 2: 14 & 15; and Acts 28: 3 - 7.

E.g.: “Indeed when the gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required of the law, . . ., they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts . . . .”

Question: Is it because

a. we are created by God with a nature inclined toward Love Thy Neighbor (despite the distortions of the fall), or

b. we are born with the ability to learn Love Thy Neighbor, and God is at work in the lives of all people (regardless of their beliefs)?

(Nature vs. Nurture)

All creatures are to praise God, including animals. Psalms 148!

 

[L.A.M.B.]

Welcome to Christianity Boards !

 

[quietthinker]

How is it that Pagans practice Love Thy Neighbor?​

Is it assumed that love is only the domain of those calling themselves Christians? Why is there surprise that even those who label themselves differently also partake of love?

I think there will be many in God's Kingdom who ask 'what are the scars in your hands' Zechariah 13:6........the many in Earths history before the Jesus event who did not have the benefit of hindsight as we do today.

 

[BlessedPeace]

There are at least two scripture passages that show that pagans practice Love Thy Neighbor:
Romans 2: 14 & 15; and Acts 28: 3 - 7.

E.g.: “Indeed when the gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required of the law, . . ., they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts . . . .”

Question: Is it because

a. we are created by God with a nature inclined toward Love Thy Neighbor (despite the distortions of the fall), or

b. we are born with the ability to learn Love Thy Neighbor, and God is at work in the lives of all people (regardless of their beliefs)?

(Nature vs. Nurture)

Excellent point. Many don't realize that in Jesus day Gentile was a label synonymous with pagan.

Welcome to CB.

 

[Randy Kluth]

There are at least two scripture passages that show that pagans practice Love Thy Neighbor:
Romans 2: 14 & 15; and Acts 28: 3 - 7.

E.g.: “Indeed when the gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required of the law, . . ., they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts . . . .”

Question: Is it because

a. we are created by God with a nature inclined toward Love Thy Neighbor (despite the distortions of the fall), or

b. we are born with the ability to learn Love Thy Neighbor, and God is at work in the lives of all people (regardless of their beliefs)?

(Nature vs. Nurture)

Matt 5.43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?"

God gave His Law to Man from the point of his creation. We were created to live in God's image, to walk in His likeness. We were created with the ability, and with the inclination, to love God and to love our neighbor.

It was taking of the tree of knowledge that separated us from our calling. It is when we partook of a knowledge leading to independent thought that God's love was spoiled in our minds, and evil thoughts set in.

But Man, even after the Fall, still tends to want to do what God put in his heart to do, to live out our calling to love others. The real danger here is in letting our tendency to want to live independent of God get the best of us, rendering our love inconsistent and perverted. Our love becomes narrowed to serve only our own interests, and falls short of Jesus' standard that we love all the time and in every situation.

 

[BlessedPeace]

Matt 5.43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?"

God gave His Law to Man from the point of his creation. We were created to live in God's image, to walk in His likeness. We were created with the ability, and with the inclination, to love God and to love our neighbor.

It was taking of the tree of knowledge that separated us from our calling. It is when we partook of a knowledge leading to independent thought that God's love was spoiled in our minds, and evil thoughts set in.

But Man, even after the Fall, still tends to want to do what God put in his heart to do, to live out our calling to love others. The real danger here is in letting our tendency to want to live independent of God get the best of us, rendering our love inconsistent and perverted. Our love becomes narrowed to serve only our own interests, and falls short of Jesus' standard that we love all the time and in every situation.

Who said what Jesus had heard?
‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

 

[Randy Kluth]

Who said what Jesus had heard?
‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

It was likely a crass, abbreviated interpretation by the Pharisees presenting the truth that God fought against His enemies and rewarded His obedient servants. I don't really know, but it is quite clear that God has had a hostile view towards His enemies, as indicated in the Scriptures, both OT and NT.

This doesn't mean that God's love changes with those who oppose Him. Rather, it means that His love requires that He vanquish those who oppose His love and wish to impose their evil atrocities upon others.

We ourselves are requiired to adopt the mind and attitude of Christ, who resisted evil and prayed against it, while wishing to help and preserve the righteous. We are to be like God in every way. In doing so, we do not give up our attributes of divine love. Rather, we ensure that even when we fight against evil we do so with the correct motives and with the correct attitude.