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Commanded
seminole:
I think that is what I would call "heaven"!
aktikt:
Seminole wrote:
--- Quote ---I think that is what I would call "heaven"!
--- End quote ---
Me, too. Sounds good.
SixFour:
sasscell,
Good one. And what about these verses that hit me hard a month or so ago:
Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now COMMANDETH all men every where to repent:
Act 17:31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.
Whoa 'Nelly! ;D
sasscell:
Thanks for the responses guys. Something else occured to me. We discussed on this thread how people say that these commands are more like invitations to love God, because if God forced it, it would hold no value. (as I type this I see all the more how contradictory and ridiculous this all is) But, how can something be an invitation if there is a consequence for not doing it? I.E. Would you please come to dinner with me? VS EAT EVERYTHING ON YOUR PLATE!! The former may disappoint, but the latter promises a punishment AND THAT they say is free choice!! ABSURD ISN'T IT?? Second, does anyone really believe they can love God with all their heart, stregnth, mind and soul ON THEIR OWN, WITHOUT HIM?? Okay, my blood pressure is beginning to rise...Peace!!
YellowStone:
Hi Sasscell,
I really like where you are going with this. :)
You ask: "does anyone really believe they can love God with all their heart, stregnth, mind and soul ON THEIR OWN, WITHOUT HIM??"
And the answer is, Of Course!! :) And they do, yet let me expalin the futility of such a stance.
Let's create a fictional person. Let's call her Dawn. She is pretty, has red hair, intelligent, sweet but stirn, rather short and has lots of money.
Ok some will love her because of her red hair, others because she can talk about deep things. Others will be attracted to her sweet personlity, while some will love that she stands for what she believes. Perhaps short guys will love her for her height, and many because of her money. Of course, she may be loved for a mixture of her qualities; yet how many will love her, even take the time to know her for all that she is and love "her"?
Most people are attracted to others because they see in them something that appeals; often times over looking a mean streak, or a lazy attitude, etc. They LOVE what the Love ABOUT the person, not the person, neither completely or unconditionally. Does that make sense :)
With this mindset, people love God. I have heard it all: "Of course I love God, he is going to save me right" Or put another way: "If I don't love him, I won't be saved" Others say, I love God, but I hate the way he treats me, or I cannot truly love a God that let's people suffer, but I do love the flowers and the rainbows.
Do you see what such are loving, they are loving the attribute and not the person.
Yet we are told:
Deu 6:5 And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
This is both a commandment and an invatation, because, before one can fully love God, they must first attempt to learn of and build a relationship with God. AND we cannot do this without Help. :) Much needed help!!
Mat 11:27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and [he] to whomsoever the Son will reveal [him].
So without any further a do, unless Christ begins to reveal God and his Spirit begins to make Himself known, it is impossible to truly love God the person or the Spirit. Loving a notion is a poor substitute.
I hope this fits with your understanding,
Much love in Christ, the Lamb.
Darren
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