What Is Love?
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● Rom 14:13a . .Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.
Within the context of the 14th of Romans, "passing judgment" pertains to
criticizing others for refusal to accept and/or comply with your own gray
area beliefs and practices.
_
● Rom 14:13a . .Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.
Within the context of the 14th of Romans, "passing judgment" pertains to
criticizing others for refusal to accept and/or comply with your own gray
area beliefs and practices.
_
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● Rom 14:13b . . Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or
obstacle in your brother's way.
The koiné Greek word translated "stumbling block" means a stub. For
example: one year I cut down a troublesome bush in my front yard and left
a bit of a stump sticking up out of the ground that later damaged my lawn
mower when I accidentally ran over it while cutting the grass; which had
grown tall enough to conceal the stump. In that respect, stumbling blocks
are hazards not easily detected.
Within the context of the 14th of Romans, I would equate stumbling blocks
to the clever sophistry that silver-tongued orators employ to persuade
people to do things contrary to their convictions and their conscience. In
other words; there are people out there with the skills to make a lie sound
like the God's truth (cf. Eph 4:11-14) and if you get pulled into a debate
with those people you'll probably lose.
NOTE: The Star Wars era spawned a pertinent colloquialism that goes like
this: "Let the Wookie win one." When it comes to gray-area disputes, that
colloquialism is pretty good advice.
_
● Rom 14:13b . . Make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or
obstacle in your brother's way.
The koiné Greek word translated "stumbling block" means a stub. For
example: one year I cut down a troublesome bush in my front yard and left
a bit of a stump sticking up out of the ground that later damaged my lawn
mower when I accidentally ran over it while cutting the grass; which had
grown tall enough to conceal the stump. In that respect, stumbling blocks
are hazards not easily detected.
Within the context of the 14th of Romans, I would equate stumbling blocks
to the clever sophistry that silver-tongued orators employ to persuade
people to do things contrary to their convictions and their conscience. In
other words; there are people out there with the skills to make a lie sound
like the God's truth (cf. Eph 4:11-14) and if you get pulled into a debate
with those people you'll probably lose.
NOTE: The Star Wars era spawned a pertinent colloquialism that goes like
this: "Let the Wookie win one." When it comes to gray-area disputes, that
colloquialism is pretty good advice.
_
Romans 9:30-33 speaks of a stumbling stone that Israel stumbled over.
It has to do with the fact that when a person is made righteous by God, there is a certain obedience that develops wherein he does not do anything in violation of the law (Galatians 5:22-23).
Some observe this, and think that they must obey the law in order to be saved.
This is not the case. We are saved unto obedience, not the other way around (we do not obey unto salvation).
In context, Romans 10:1-4 teaches us that those who seek to establish their own righteousness through law-keeping, instead of trusting in Christ's finished work, are not submitting to the righteousness of the Lord.
Which righteousness is the righteousness which is of God by faith (see Philippians 3:9).
It has to do with the fact that when a person is made righteous by God, there is a certain obedience that develops wherein he does not do anything in violation of the law (Galatians 5:22-23).
Some observe this, and think that they must obey the law in order to be saved.
This is not the case. We are saved unto obedience, not the other way around (we do not obey unto salvation).
In context, Romans 10:1-4 teaches us that those who seek to establish their own righteousness through law-keeping, instead of trusting in Christ's finished work, are not submitting to the righteousness of the Lord.
Which righteousness is the righteousness which is of God by faith (see Philippians 3:9).
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● Rom 14:14-16 . . I know and am perfectly sure on the authority of The
Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone
believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. And if another Christian
is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don't
let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then you will not be
condemned for doing something you know is alright.
For example: We may believe that there is nothing wrong with eating non
Kosher foods; but our Christian dinner companion might feel very strongly
about it. Well; sure, we can get by with eating non-Kosher foods; but Rom
14:14-16 is saying don't. In other words; it is Christ's wishes that we
restrain ourselves from eating non-Kosher foods in front of our Christian
companions out of respect for their feelings about it.
_
● Rom 14:14-16 . . I know and am perfectly sure on the authority of The
Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone
believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. And if another Christian
is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don't
let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then you will not be
condemned for doing something you know is alright.
For example: We may believe that there is nothing wrong with eating non
Kosher foods; but our Christian dinner companion might feel very strongly
about it. Well; sure, we can get by with eating non-Kosher foods; but Rom
14:14-16 is saying don't. In other words; it is Christ's wishes that we
restrain ourselves from eating non-Kosher foods in front of our Christian
companions out of respect for their feelings about it.
_
Love is whatever the Gays say that it is nowadays, they love everyone that they want to regardless and you are not aloud to question this so called love, or you will have the Political Correct police come after you now, not to mention you can loose your job on the spot for even mentioning or questioning such behaviour, let alone the malice and depravity that such love is all about, not to mention that when one scratches below the surface of such it reviles nothing at all to do with Love at all what so ever. but depraved lust ect ect.
You have heard of tough love, one that a dad may have to measure out to a Son, that's a true love, because dad does not want son to be like a mongrel dog off the leash degrading himself and that son will look back and thank his dad for such later on in life, knowing that such was the correct thing to do at the time.
Bible says spare the rod and spoil the child.
Look at society nowadays and all the brats running loose fatherless sons are a big problem that the new age creep show has fostered, not many become Men nowadays but just boys for life Metrosexuals I believe they are called, the little boy man ! everything goes type, just like a big brat kid that's just lost in the world of trendy pond life and his greatest strength is malice, in fact malice may as well be his middle name.
You have heard of tough love, one that a dad may have to measure out to a Son, that's a true love, because dad does not want son to be like a mongrel dog off the leash degrading himself and that son will look back and thank his dad for such later on in life, knowing that such was the correct thing to do at the time.
Bible says spare the rod and spoil the child.
Look at society nowadays and all the brats running loose fatherless sons are a big problem that the new age creep show has fostered, not many become Men nowadays but just boys for life Metrosexuals I believe they are called, the little boy man ! everything goes type, just like a big brat kid that's just lost in the world of trendy pond life and his greatest strength is malice, in fact malice may as well be his middle name.
I agree.
The note down the bottom Ezekiel 36:24-27 is for Israel = the servants of God.
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● Rom 14:19 . . Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to
peace and to mutual edification.
The koiné Greek word for "edification" is oikodome (oy-kod-om-ay') which is
a word related to the building trades; and in this instance would be related
to structural improvements like a new wing, or a bedroom, or another floor;
and in many instances adds square footage to an already-existing structure
and/or improves its appearance, its value, and it's utility. Edification then,
builds up instead of tearing down.
Webster's defines "peace" as a state in which there is no war or fighting; viz:
harmony and mutual concord.
● 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.
_
● Rom 14:19 . . Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to
peace and to mutual edification.
The koiné Greek word for "edification" is oikodome (oy-kod-om-ay') which is
a word related to the building trades; and in this instance would be related
to structural improvements like a new wing, or a bedroom, or another floor;
and in many instances adds square footage to an already-existing structure
and/or improves its appearance, its value, and it's utility. Edification then,
builds up instead of tearing down.
Webster's defines "peace" as a state in which there is no war or fighting; viz:
harmony and mutual concord.
● 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.
_
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● Rom 14:20-21 . . Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All
food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone
else to stumble.
The critters that God lists in the Jews' covenanted law as unsuitable for food
aren't intrinsically unsuitable. They're only unsuitable for the Jews because
that's how God wants it for His people. But outside the covenant; and for
everybody else: whatever you'd like to eat can be eaten; all flora and all
fauna.
● Gen 9:3 . . Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I
gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.
● Acts 10:15 . .The voice spoke to him a second time; "Do not call anything
impure that God has made clean."
But still; you wouldn't want to invite someone over for dinner serving foods
that they sincerely believe are wrong for them to eat. Prepare something
else that you both can eat. That's the Christian way to go about it; it's also
the sympathetic way to go about it. There are times when it's appropriate to
accommodate people's feelings about certain things.
_
● Rom 14:20-21 . . Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All
food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes someone
else to stumble.
The critters that God lists in the Jews' covenanted law as unsuitable for food
aren't intrinsically unsuitable. They're only unsuitable for the Jews because
that's how God wants it for His people. But outside the covenant; and for
everybody else: whatever you'd like to eat can be eaten; all flora and all
fauna.
● Gen 9:3 . . Everything that lives and moves will be food for you. Just as I
gave you the green plants, I now give you everything.
● Acts 10:15 . .The voice spoke to him a second time; "Do not call anything
impure that God has made clean."
But still; you wouldn't want to invite someone over for dinner serving foods
that they sincerely believe are wrong for them to eat. Prepare something
else that you both can eat. That's the Christian way to go about it; it's also
the sympathetic way to go about it. There are times when it's appropriate to
accommodate people's feelings about certain things.
_
What a load of nonsense about what you can eat or not, when you are starving you will eat anything not to mention that this is 2019 and we are not living in the desert.
Peoples feelings be buggered, when did God give a cracker for any ones feelings, Oh someone offended my idols !
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● Rom 14:22a . . So whatever you personally believe in debatable areas
keep between yourself and God.
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● Rom 14:22a . . So whatever you personally believe in debatable areas
keep between yourself and God.
_
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● Rom 14:22b-23 . . Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by
what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats,
because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from
faith is sin.
In other words, it's possible to be wrong even when you're right because it's
a sin to forge ahead when one's conscience is not sure it's okay to do so.
I once knew a Christian who felt guilty just setting foot inside a BlockBuster
video store. Was he silly for feeling that way? Not in his mind; and it's your
own personal moral compass that counts in gray areas. Some Christians
can't permit themselves to dine in a restaurant that serves alcohol; while
others see nothing wrong with it. If those two kinds of Christians should
perchance dine out together, it's the more sensitive conscience that
determines where to eat.
In other words; it makes good spiritual sense to avoid insisting upon your
freedoms and rights sometimes in order to prevent dragging your fellow
Christians into something that makes them feel guilty and/or uncomfortable.
_
● Rom 14:22b-23 . . Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by
what he approves. But the man who has doubts is condemned if he eats,
because his eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from
faith is sin.
In other words, it's possible to be wrong even when you're right because it's
a sin to forge ahead when one's conscience is not sure it's okay to do so.
I once knew a Christian who felt guilty just setting foot inside a BlockBuster
video store. Was he silly for feeling that way? Not in his mind; and it's your
own personal moral compass that counts in gray areas. Some Christians
can't permit themselves to dine in a restaurant that serves alcohol; while
others see nothing wrong with it. If those two kinds of Christians should
perchance dine out together, it's the more sensitive conscience that
determines where to eat.
In other words; it makes good spiritual sense to avoid insisting upon your
freedoms and rights sometimes in order to prevent dragging your fellow
Christians into something that makes them feel guilty and/or uncomfortable.
_
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● Rom 15:1-2 . . We may know that certain 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 believe certain things are
wrong.
Webster's defines "considerate" as thoughtful of the rights and feelings of
others, i.e. sympathetic regard; which is no doubt near impossible for
Christians afflicted with narcissistic personality disorder: a toxic
psychological condition characterized by a grandiose sense of self
importance, a need for excessive admiration, exploitive behavior in
relationships, and a lack of empathy.
_
● Rom 15:1-2 . . We may know that certain 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 believe certain things are
wrong.
Webster's defines "considerate" as thoughtful of the rights and feelings of
others, i.e. sympathetic regard; which is no doubt near impossible for
Christians afflicted with narcissistic personality disorder: a toxic
psychological condition characterized by a grandiose sense of self
importance, a need for excessive admiration, exploitive behavior in
relationships, and a lack of empathy.
_
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● Rom 15:7 . . Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in
order to bring praise to God.
That's a bit tricky but I think it just means all Christians should acknowledge
each other as Christians regardless of age, race, gender, or economic status;
and treat one another as Christians though they may differ in opinion about
what constitutes a true Christian.
For example: it's not unusual to hear a Christian pontificate that real
Christians would never watch R-rated movies, gamble, wear a speedo or a
string bikini, use cosmetics, smoke marijuana, expose cleavage or wear skin
tight yoga pants in public, stop for a beer on the way home from work, have
a glass of wine before bedtime, listen to RAP music, ditch church and
Sunday school for years at a time, or go in a bar or a nightclub where
there's topless female dancers up on a stage twining themselves around a
pole while leering men stuff currency into the hems of their skimpy little
costumes.
Too many Christians have the opinion that unless others believe and practice
the very same way they believe and practice, then those others are not
Christians. Well; the easiest way to settle this is to follow Webster's
definition that a Christian is simply someone who professes a belief in the
teachings of Jesus Christ. That's it: no more, no less, and no qualifiers. They
don't even have to practice The Lord's teachings; they only have to profess
to believe in them.
An internet forum I was on in the past made it even easier. In order to
qualify as a Christian on that forum; one only had to believe they were a
Christian; viz: they didn't have to prove they were a Christian; no, they only
had to be convinced in their own minds that they were a Christian. If we all
followed that rule it would put a stop to a lot of unnecessary quarreling,
name calling, and bad feelings.
NOTE: Heresy is subjective. In other words: what's heresy to a Catholic
may not be heresy to a Methodist, and vice versa. And what's heresy to a
Mormon may not be heresy to a Jehovah's Witness, and vice versa. And
what's heresy to a Baptist may not be heresy to the Church Of God, and vice
versa. So my advice is: never, ever call another Christian a heretic.
Just to be on the safe side; edit that label from your remarks because it just
might be that you yourself are the one infected with heresy and don't know
it; viz: be circumspect with your choice of words because the hapless day
just may arrive when you are forced to eat them.
It ain't what you know that gets you into trouble.
It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.
(Mark Twain)
_
● Rom 15:7 . . Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in
order to bring praise to God.
That's a bit tricky but I think it just means all Christians should acknowledge
each other as Christians regardless of age, race, gender, or economic status;
and treat one another as Christians though they may differ in opinion about
what constitutes a true Christian.
For example: it's not unusual to hear a Christian pontificate that real
Christians would never watch R-rated movies, gamble, wear a speedo or a
string bikini, use cosmetics, smoke marijuana, expose cleavage or wear skin
tight yoga pants in public, stop for a beer on the way home from work, have
a glass of wine before bedtime, listen to RAP music, ditch church and
Sunday school for years at a time, or go in a bar or a nightclub where
there's topless female dancers up on a stage twining themselves around a
pole while leering men stuff currency into the hems of their skimpy little
costumes.
Too many Christians have the opinion that unless others believe and practice
the very same way they believe and practice, then those others are not
Christians. Well; the easiest way to settle this is to follow Webster's
definition that a Christian is simply someone who professes a belief in the
teachings of Jesus Christ. That's it: no more, no less, and no qualifiers. They
don't even have to practice The Lord's teachings; they only have to profess
to believe in them.
An internet forum I was on in the past made it even easier. In order to
qualify as a Christian on that forum; one only had to believe they were a
Christian; viz: they didn't have to prove they were a Christian; no, they only
had to be convinced in their own minds that they were a Christian. If we all
followed that rule it would put a stop to a lot of unnecessary quarreling,
name calling, and bad feelings.
NOTE: Heresy is subjective. In other words: what's heresy to a Catholic
may not be heresy to a Methodist, and vice versa. And what's heresy to a
Mormon may not be heresy to a Jehovah's Witness, and vice versa. And
what's heresy to a Baptist may not be heresy to the Church Of God, and vice
versa. So my advice is: never, ever call another Christian a heretic.
Just to be on the safe side; edit that label from your remarks because it just
might be that you yourself are the one infected with heresy and don't know
it; viz: be circumspect with your choice of words because the hapless day
just may arrive when you are forced to eat them.
It ain't what you know that gets you into trouble.
It's what you know for sure that just ain't so.
(Mark Twain)
_
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● 1Cor 10:24 . . Nobody should seek only his own good, but also the good of
others.
That's not saying it's wrong to seek your own good; just wrong to seek it at
the expense of another's good; viz: selfish ambition might be an acceptable
modus operandi in professional sports, politics, and big business; but it's
totally unacceptable in one's association with fellow believers.
And there is nothing new in that; I mean after all; it's just another way of
expressing the so-called golden rule; which states: "All things whatsoever ye
would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." (Matt 7:12)
It's interesting to note that if people weren't so thoughtless and cold; there
would be no need for laws that force them to do right by their fellow man.
_
● 1Cor 10:24 . . Nobody should seek only his own good, but also the good of
others.
That's not saying it's wrong to seek your own good; just wrong to seek it at
the expense of another's good; viz: selfish ambition might be an acceptable
modus operandi in professional sports, politics, and big business; but it's
totally unacceptable in one's association with fellow believers.
And there is nothing new in that; I mean after all; it's just another way of
expressing the so-called golden rule; which states: "All things whatsoever ye
would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them." (Matt 7:12)
It's interesting to note that if people weren't so thoughtless and cold; there
would be no need for laws that force them to do right by their fellow man.
_
Nancy
Well-Known Member
And, to take it even a step further, we are not only to treat others as we would ourselves but, also to esteem them higher than ourselves.
I feel sorry for those who put their faith in selfish worldly ambitions., not caring in the least who they destroy on their way "up"..nowhere to go if it comes crashing down on them.
This world's system/view has nothing to offer a believer ...IMHO
Philip James
Well-Known Member
Love believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things...
Love never fails!
Christ IS risen!
Alleluia!
Love never fails!
Christ IS risen!
Alleluia!
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● 1Cor 10:27-29 . . If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. But if anyone says to you "This has been offered in sacrifice" then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake-- the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours.
If you go ahead and dine in someone's home where you know in advance the food is either dedicated to, or blessed by, a pagan deity, or that when they say grace around the table it will be to a god other than your own, or to a sacred personage that you do not accept; then your host is quite possibly going to come to the conclusion that his religion is just as valid as yours if you don't decline.
This is not saying that Catholics and Protestants can't eat together and/or pray together around the table; nor is it saying that Christians and Jews can't eat together and pray together around the table: not when Catholics, Protestants, and Jews are all praying to the same God: just from a different perspective.
I will say this though: if you are a Catholic host, and your guests are either Protestants or Jews; then for heaven's sake DO NOT pray around the table to Christ's mom and/or to one of Catholicism's many patron saints. That is extremely offensive to Protestants and Jews, and totally unnecessary anyway when you can just as easily say grace to the one supreme being common to you all.
_
● 1Cor 10:27-29 . . If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you want to go, eat whatever is put before you without raising questions of conscience. But if anyone says to you "This has been offered in sacrifice" then do not eat it, both for the sake of the man who told you and for conscience' sake-- the other man's conscience, I mean, not yours.
If you go ahead and dine in someone's home where you know in advance the food is either dedicated to, or blessed by, a pagan deity, or that when they say grace around the table it will be to a god other than your own, or to a sacred personage that you do not accept; then your host is quite possibly going to come to the conclusion that his religion is just as valid as yours if you don't decline.
This is not saying that Catholics and Protestants can't eat together and/or pray together around the table; nor is it saying that Christians and Jews can't eat together and pray together around the table: not when Catholics, Protestants, and Jews are all praying to the same God: just from a different perspective.
I will say this though: if you are a Catholic host, and your guests are either Protestants or Jews; then for heaven's sake DO NOT pray around the table to Christ's mom and/or to one of Catholicism's many patron saints. That is extremely offensive to Protestants and Jews, and totally unnecessary anyway when you can just as easily say grace to the one supreme being common to you all.
_
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● 1Cor 10:32-33 . . Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the
Gentiles, nor to the church of God: even as I please all men in all things, not
seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
The main idea here is courtesy with respect to cultural differences, viz:
tolerance; defined by Webster's as sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or
practices differing from, or conflicting with, one's own-- which is just the
opposite of bigotry.
_
● 1Cor 10:32-33 . . Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the
Gentiles, nor to the church of God: even as I please all men in all things, not
seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
The main idea here is courtesy with respect to cultural differences, viz:
tolerance; defined by Webster's as sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or
practices differing from, or conflicting with, one's own-- which is just the
opposite of bigotry.
_
Not tolerance per se; but rather understanding boundaries and not crossing the line to offend in what others cannot tolerate.
