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The Progression to Charity

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hillsbororiver:
2Pe 1:4  Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine

2Pe 1:5  And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;
 
2Pe 1:6  And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
 
2Pe 1:7  And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
 
2Pe 1:8  For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
2Pe 1:9  But he that lacketh these things is blind and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Charity(26)

G26
ἀγάπη
agapē
ag-ah'-pay
From G25; love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast: - (feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love.


Is Peter describing the stages one must go through to become truly "charitable?" Or can these attributes be randomly obtained? Can someone constantly make intemperate statements yet have charity? Can we question our own faith and the faith of others and still display true (agape) love and charity?

Can someone have nothing more than a clue of God's plan and purpose for mankind and yet have perfect agape love which is charity

Do we need to have patience and longsuffering before we can manifest charity or do some start with charity and work their way back?

Does true charity seek the approval of men or the will of God, do some charitable actions seem bitter to the recipient because this action is not what the recipient desires?

1Ti 1:5  Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience and of faith unfeigned:
 
1Ti 1:6  From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;

I find it interesting that Paul would say "the end of the commandment is charity" apparently suggesting that true charity is a culmination of the other spiritual attributes.

Sometimes true love also needs to be "tough love" with sound advice and corrective actions, it seems to me that Paul is saying that some have turned talk of charity into "vain jangling."

What do you think?

Joe

Joh 12:43  For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

iris:
Joe,

You asked the question: Can someone constantly make intemperate statements yet have Charity
(christian love)?
I looked the word intemperate up in my dictionary.
The definition: 1. given to immoderate indulgence in intoxicating drink. 2. not temperate or
moderate, esp. as regards indulgence of appetite or passion.
What kind of intemperate statements are you talking about? Could you give me two examples
so I can better understand what your saying?


Iris

hillsbororiver:
Hi Iris,

An intemperate statement may be an unfounded accusation or words meant to cause strife or division, even in the form of a question. It can mean any act resulting from a lack of self control or good judgement, excessive behavior often caused by an emotional rather than logical thought process.

Temperance1466

G1466
ἐγκράτεια
egkrateia
eng-krat'-i-ah
From G1468; self control (especially continence): - temperance.

I hope that helps to clear it up, thank you for asking.

Joe

Deborah-Leigh:
Joe

Good thoughts and questions!

Here are some scriptures that come to mind for me to add:

Paul wrote in 2 Cor 10: 5 inasmuch as we REFUTE ARGUMENTS and THEORIES  and REASONINGS  and EVERY PROUD AND LOFTY THING  that sets itself up AGAINST the true knowledge of God;

To me this says that Paul was intollerant of arguements, theories, reasonings and prideful high sounding flashy falsity that was actually against the true knowledge of God. So Paul, exposed, refuted and TOOK CAPTIVE such blind vanities. ..and we lead EVERY THOUGHT and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ. 

Now that would not be applauded by some and by others it would be heroic! It would win friends and make enemies!How many of us are willingto live like that. We only want friends we do not want to MAKE enemies!

2 Cor 2 15 For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ which exhales unto God discernible alike AMONG THOSE WHO ARE BEING SAVED and among those who are perishing; 16 to the latter it is an aroma wafted from death to death, a fatal odor, the smell of doom; to the former it is an aroma from life to life a vital fragrance, living and fresh. 17 For we are NOT; like so MANY, like hucksters making a trade of peddling God's Word.....

James 2 : 8,9 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if you have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.


You wrote |: Sometimes true love also needs to be "tough love" with sound advice and corrective actions, it seems to me that Paul is saying that some have turned talk of charity into "vain jangling."  Well said Joe! 8)

Peace to you

Arcturus :)

iris:
Joe,

Yes, it did help, thank you.  ;D

Iris

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