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Galatians 5:12
loretta:
OMG, I get it! There are some people in my life that I cannot absolutely stand! I mean I cannot tolerate their deceiving, lying, cheating, arrogant, proud ways... But I can agapao them with agape love, which enables me to be civil, kind, caring, without expecting anything in return. But only by His grace, in His strength, with His agape love. It doesn't mean I allow myself to be deceived. But it does mean that I choose to agape love them with my eyes wide open. As I abide in Him, He abides in me and His agape love flows through me.
Tks Dennis and Connie, for that link to Ray's teaching on Love.
Just one question though. Do we have to philio everyone in church ( the elect ). Sometimes that is tough! Guess others may find it hard to philio me, considering I'm still work in progress :)
Dave in Tenn:
The "commandments" in the New Testament given by Paul and the other Apostolic writers are to φιλαδελφία philadelphia one another. That is a brotherly love, mutual kindness and compassion, fondness. Here's some places where that word is used:
Rom_12:10, 1Th_4:9, Heb_13:1, 2Pe_1:7 (2) 1Pe_1:22
So the question is "do we have to PHILEO our brothers?" This word seems to me to mean more of a 'feeling' or an expression of a feeling. Sometimes it is even translated "kiss"...not that that is always a good thing, because that is the way Judas "Loved on" Jesus when he marked Him for betrayal. (check out http://bible-truths.com/kiss.htm -- The Kiss of Death paper) And it is also used in Rev 22:15 "For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie..." and in Mat 23:5-7 "But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi." Surely THAT kind of PHILEO isn't what we are called to do.
Just me talking, but it seems more like a privilege than a commandment to have a deep, affectionate, and true love for another person. In fact, that sort of mutual Love could be described as deeper and more heart-felt than the LOVE we ARE commanded to have. Maybe it would be better to ask, "Do we GET to love..." rather than "Do we HAVE to love..." Afterall, God both AGAPES and PHILEOS His Son and those He has given to Him.
So AGAPE both our neighbors and our enemies. Have PHILADELPHIA for our brothers. PHILEO whatever/whoever it is we PHILEO and let the Lord judge it as right or wrong, a good 'work' or a "bad work" to be purified or burned away. Lastly, whatever LOVE you have, don't fake it. We're not expected to be bosom buddies with anybody, and to find a true love or true friend is a treasure, not a burden.
loretta:
tks, Dave for that wisdom on philio love.
Lastly, whatever LOVE you have, don't fake it. We're not expected to be bosom buddies with anybody, and to find a true love or true friend is a treasure, not a burden.
I think the key is to be equally yoked, as Ray taught it. http://bible-truths.com/yoked.htm
We must be equally yoked in all our relationships, whether marriage, business or church. I'm finding it very difficult to philio love my old church friends, especially those who insist on believing on 'hell and its torture chambers' and refusing to even listen to sound biblical reason. I know they're spiritually blind, nonetheless.
By the way, do any of the forum members have fellowship (excluding family and forum )with others who share the truth or are we all lone rangers who have left the pack behind? :)
Kat:
Hi loretta,
--- Quote ---By the way, do any of the forum members have fellowship (excluding family and forum )with others who share the truth or are we all lone rangers who have left the pack behind?
--- End quote ---
I have made a few really good friends from people here at the forum, some I also met at conferences. We do not get to visit, but we keep in touch through pm's, emails or phone calls. These have developed into wonderful friendships that I feel very blessed to have. We discuss these truth and I do believe it has greatly helped us to progress in our understanding.
I would not hesitate to encourage others be open to those that you seem to have a connection with. It is not important to me to meet any of these people, I would like to, but that may not be possible. So I try to make the most of what we have.
mercy, peace and love
Kat
Rene:
--- Quote from: loretta on June 11, 2013, 12:53:31 AM ---
By the way, do any of the forum member have fellowship (excluding family and forum )with others who share the truth or are we all lone rangers who have left the pack behind? :)
--- End quote ---
Hi Loretta,
I fellowship as often as I can with one member of the forum, although we live hundreds of miles apart. Our friendship has grown steadily over the past 6 years and I feel blessed to be able to share the joys of this spiritual journey with someone of like mind.
There are a few other forum members that I have occasional conversations with and those are appreciated as well. :)
René
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