what is love?
- Thread starter Defenderofgrace
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.
● Eph 4:3 . . Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the
bond of peace.
Peace is what everybody wants but seem thoroughly unable to attain--
either by force or by diplomacy --even in Christian churches; where you'd
think that at least there you'd find peace seeing as how it's related to one of
Christ's beatitudes (Matt 5:9). It's also a fruit of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22)
_
● Eph 4:3 . . Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the
bond of peace.
Peace is what everybody wants but seem thoroughly unable to attain--
either by force or by diplomacy --even in Christian churches; where you'd
think that at least there you'd find peace seeing as how it's related to one of
Christ's beatitudes (Matt 5:9). It's also a fruit of the Spirit. (Gal 5:22)
_
.
● Eph 4:25 . .Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his
neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Honesty is demanded by the covenant that Moses' people agreed upon with
God in the Old Testament (Lev 19:11). Although a Christian's association
with God is not based upon compliance with that covenant, it's still required
that they be people of integrity who can be relied upon to tell the truth;
especially to each other.
_
● Eph 4:25 . .Each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his
neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Honesty is demanded by the covenant that Moses' people agreed upon with
God in the Old Testament (Lev 19:11). Although a Christian's association
with God is not based upon compliance with that covenant, it's still required
that they be people of integrity who can be relied upon to tell the truth;
especially to each other.
_
.
● Eph 4:26a . . In your anger do not sin.
Anger isn't eo ipso evil. It's how one handles their anger that matters. Anger
can be a very useful tool when it's applied by somebody who knows what
they're doing. For example:
● Mark 3:5 . . And when Jesus had looked round about on them with anger,
being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man:
Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored
whole as the other.
Everybody gets angry from time to time; just don't let it drive you to doing
something contrary to your better judgment, e.g. violence, profanity, malice,
cruelty, uncivil behavior, emotional outbursts, hysteria, etc.
_
● Eph 4:26a . . In your anger do not sin.
Anger isn't eo ipso evil. It's how one handles their anger that matters. Anger
can be a very useful tool when it's applied by somebody who knows what
they're doing. For example:
● Mark 3:5 . . And when Jesus had looked round about on them with anger,
being grieved for the hardness of their hearts, he saith unto the man:
Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it out: and his hand was restored
whole as the other.
Everybody gets angry from time to time; just don't let it drive you to doing
something contrary to your better judgment, e.g. violence, profanity, malice,
cruelty, uncivil behavior, emotional outbursts, hysteria, etc.
_
.
● Eph 4:26b-27 . . Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and
do not give the Devil a foothold.
Some people treat their anger like a prized possession: they don't want to
lose it. They actually prefer to stay angry rather than "get over it".
Apparently the Devil is quick to take advantage of Christians like that, i.e.
they become what's called in the spy business; an asset.
_
● Eph 4:26b-27 . . Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and
do not give the Devil a foothold.
Some people treat their anger like a prized possession: they don't want to
lose it. They actually prefer to stay angry rather than "get over it".
Apparently the Devil is quick to take advantage of Christians like that, i.e.
they become what's called in the spy business; an asset.
_
.
● Eph 4:29 . . Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be
good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who
hear them.
"helpful" is from the Greek word oikodome (oy-kod-om-ay') which means: to
build up (as opposed to tearing down).
"foul or abusive" is from the word sapros (sap-ros') which means: rotten,
i.e. worthless (literally or morally) viz: inappropriate.
The foul and abusive category no doubt includes not only profanity, but also
biting sarcasm, cruel remarks, thoughtless comments, chafing, relentless
fault-finding, sneering, ridicule, mockery, and unnecessary criticism.
Language that's good, helpful, and encouraging is essential if one is to be
serious about exemplifying the fifth beatitude.
● Matt 5:7 . . Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Speaking of humanity as a corporate body, the Bible says:
● Rom 3:13a . .Their throat is an open sepulcher
It's not advisable to open a sepulcher seeing as how the contents are no
doubt going to be quite odious and in a state of decay; especially in locales
where the remains weren't cremated or treated with formaldehyde.
_
● Eph 4:29 . . Don't use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be
good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who
hear them.
"helpful" is from the Greek word oikodome (oy-kod-om-ay') which means: to
build up (as opposed to tearing down).
"foul or abusive" is from the word sapros (sap-ros') which means: rotten,
i.e. worthless (literally or morally) viz: inappropriate.
The foul and abusive category no doubt includes not only profanity, but also
biting sarcasm, cruel remarks, thoughtless comments, chafing, relentless
fault-finding, sneering, ridicule, mockery, and unnecessary criticism.
Language that's good, helpful, and encouraging is essential if one is to be
serious about exemplifying the fifth beatitude.
● Matt 5:7 . . Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
Speaking of humanity as a corporate body, the Bible says:
● Rom 3:13a . .Their throat is an open sepulcher
It's not advisable to open a sepulcher seeing as how the contents are no
doubt going to be quite odious and in a state of decay; especially in locales
where the remains weren't cremated or treated with formaldehyde.
_
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1
- Show all
Love is not lawless:
Mat 24:12, "And because iniquity will abound, the love of the many will grow cold."
Love is by only real when it is by His measure and His words:
1 John 5:2-3, " 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
Exodus 20:6, "But showing love to thousands who love Me by keeping My Laws."
John14:21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
Mat 24:12, "And because iniquity will abound, the love of the many will grow cold."
Love is by only real when it is by His measure and His words:
1 John 5:2-3, " 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.
Exodus 20:6, "But showing love to thousands who love Me by keeping My Laws."
John14:21 Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.”
.
● Eph 4:31 . . Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and
slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior.
It wasn't The Lord's wish that Ephesian Christians avoid all bitterness, rage
and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice; no; on
the contrary, he wanted the Ephesians to "get rid" of them.
"bitterness" is from the Greek word pikria (pik-ree'-ah) which means: acrid,
poisonous, and/or toxic (literally or figuratively)
Christians like that are nothing in the world but deadly reptiles.
● Rom 3:13b . . the poison of asps is under their lips
"rage" is from thumos (thoo-mos') which means: passion (as if breathing
hard). Passion is just the opposite of reason; and as everyone knows,
emotions are incoherent; so it's to be expected an emotional person is not
acting rationally. This is a kind of conduct that Paul says brings sorrow to
God's Spirit.
"anger" is from orge (or-gay') which means: desire (as a reaching forth or
excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy,) violent passion, ire, (by
implication: punishment)
People overcome by orge typically want some satisfaction; even to the point
of at least your ruin; if not your death.
"harsh words" is from krauge (krow-gay') which means: outcry.
Out-crying is what protestors do; in other words: assertive, in-your-face
confrontational complaints and/or demands..
"slander" is from blasphemia (blas-fay-me'-ah) which means: to vilify.
Webster's defines "vilify" as: (1) to lower in estimation or importance, and
(2) to utter slanderous and abusive statements against; viz: defame,
discredit, and/or denigrate.
A statement need not be false in order to qualify as slander; it need only to
be unnecessary; viz: you'll often hear people say: Well, I was only telling the
truth. Were they? No, that's a ruse. In reality, they're insensitive; and they
don't care who gets hurt by their thoughtless remarks.
The Lord notices the words people say, and he also takes note of the spirit in
which they say them.
● Matt 12:36 . . But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day
of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
"malicious behavior" is from kakia (kak-ee'-ah) which means: badness, i.e.
(subjectively) depravity, or (actively) malignity, or (passively) trouble:
Malice usually includes the element of "spite" which Webster's defines as:
petty ill will, or hatred, with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart.
Compare that to the koiné word for "persecute" in the eighth Beatitude
which means, literally: to pursue; viz: to stalk, to hound, to harass.
Webster's defines "thwart" as: (1) to run counter to so as to effectively
oppose or baffle; viz: contravene, and (2) to oppose successfully; viz: to
defeat the hopes or aspirations of; in other words: to deliberately get in
someone's way; block, discourage.
Boy I'll tell you, that Ephesian church was as rough-hewn and crude as the
old logging community of Stump Town (now Portland) out here in the
Oregon of the 1800's. They cussed, they brawled, they bad-mouthed, they
held grudges, they were thieves, they were arrogant, they somehow had the
idea that Jews were below them, they were immodest, conceited, vain, and
impatient, they walked unworthy of their calling, and they were splintered
into cliques.
_
● Eph 4:31 . . Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and
slander, as well as all types of malicious behavior.
It wasn't The Lord's wish that Ephesian Christians avoid all bitterness, rage
and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice; no; on
the contrary, he wanted the Ephesians to "get rid" of them.
"bitterness" is from the Greek word pikria (pik-ree'-ah) which means: acrid,
poisonous, and/or toxic (literally or figuratively)
Christians like that are nothing in the world but deadly reptiles.
● Rom 3:13b . . the poison of asps is under their lips
"rage" is from thumos (thoo-mos') which means: passion (as if breathing
hard). Passion is just the opposite of reason; and as everyone knows,
emotions are incoherent; so it's to be expected an emotional person is not
acting rationally. This is a kind of conduct that Paul says brings sorrow to
God's Spirit.
"anger" is from orge (or-gay') which means: desire (as a reaching forth or
excitement of the mind), i.e. (by analogy,) violent passion, ire, (by
implication: punishment)
People overcome by orge typically want some satisfaction; even to the point
of at least your ruin; if not your death.
"harsh words" is from krauge (krow-gay') which means: outcry.
Out-crying is what protestors do; in other words: assertive, in-your-face
confrontational complaints and/or demands..
"slander" is from blasphemia (blas-fay-me'-ah) which means: to vilify.
Webster's defines "vilify" as: (1) to lower in estimation or importance, and
(2) to utter slanderous and abusive statements against; viz: defame,
discredit, and/or denigrate.
A statement need not be false in order to qualify as slander; it need only to
be unnecessary; viz: you'll often hear people say: Well, I was only telling the
truth. Were they? No, that's a ruse. In reality, they're insensitive; and they
don't care who gets hurt by their thoughtless remarks.
The Lord notices the words people say, and he also takes note of the spirit in
which they say them.
● Matt 12:36 . . But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day
of judgment for every careless word they have spoken.
"malicious behavior" is from kakia (kak-ee'-ah) which means: badness, i.e.
(subjectively) depravity, or (actively) malignity, or (passively) trouble:
Malice usually includes the element of "spite" which Webster's defines as:
petty ill will, or hatred, with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart.
Compare that to the koiné word for "persecute" in the eighth Beatitude
which means, literally: to pursue; viz: to stalk, to hound, to harass.
Webster's defines "thwart" as: (1) to run counter to so as to effectively
oppose or baffle; viz: contravene, and (2) to oppose successfully; viz: to
defeat the hopes or aspirations of; in other words: to deliberately get in
someone's way; block, discourage.
Boy I'll tell you, that Ephesian church was as rough-hewn and crude as the
old logging community of Stump Town (now Portland) out here in the
Oregon of the 1800's. They cussed, they brawled, they bad-mouthed, they
held grudges, they were thieves, they were arrogant, they somehow had the
idea that Jews were below them, they were immodest, conceited, vain, and
impatient, they walked unworthy of their calling, and they were splintered
into cliques.
_
.
● Eph 4:32 . . Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each
other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Within the context of the letter Paul wrote and sent to the Christians residing
in the ancient city of Ephesus; the objects "one another" and "each other"
are exclusive; viz: the comments refer only to one's fellow Bible-believing
Christians rather than the world at large. So if you're unwilling to be kind
and compassionate to outsiders; at least be so with people at church so as
to help prevent church from becoming a hostile worship environment.
The Greek word for "kind" is chrestos (khrase-tos') which means:
employed; viz: useful.
Chrestos is found in only seven places in the New Testament, and without
exception implies being beneficial to others for their own good rather than
using people to benefit your own self.
The word for "compassionate" is eusplagchnos (yoo'-splangkh-nos) which
means: sympathetic.
Webster's defines sympathy as: 1) an affinity, association, or relationship
between persons or things wherein whatever affects one similarly affects the
other, 2) inclination to think or feel alike: emotional or intellectual accord, 3)
feeling of loyalty: tendency to favor or support, 4) the act, or capacity, of
entering into or sharing the feelings or interests of another, 5) sensitivity,
and 6) heart; as in "have a heart".
Eusplagchnos would make a good substitute for a word found in one of The
Lord's beatitudes.
● Matt 5:7 . . Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
"merciful" is from the word eleemon (el-eh-ay'-mone) which means pretty
much the same thing as eusplagchnos: compassionate and sympathetic.
It used to be that Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts were trained to be useful to
others as just simply a matter of good deeds and good citizenship. I don't
know, maybe they still are; but I've known lots of churchians who were
totally useless to others because they're infected with an ugly spirit of
conceit, rivalry, and indifference. Far from being kind and compassionate;
those Christians are actually sociopathic and don't even know it.
The word "forgiving" is charizomai (khar-id'-zom-ahee) which essentially
means: to grant as a favor; viz: gratuitously, i.e. courtesy.
Webster's defines gratuitous as: 1) given unearned or without recompense,
2) not involving a return benefit or compensation or consideration, 3)
costing nothing: free, 4) not called for by the circumstances: unwarranted,
5) complimentary, 6) gratis, and 7) voluntary. In other words; charizomai
seeks no reciprocation; it never says "you owe me one"
Sailors are oft heard to say that the sea is very unforgiving: meaning it
allows no room for error or weakness. Christians ought not be like the sea.
We ought to be the most forgiving people on the planet; and not because we
expect others to reciprocate; but just because we enjoy being gratuitous.
For some Christians though, courtesy is an effort.
Eph 4:31-32 isn't easy. What we're looking at there is not just good
citizenship; no, what we're looking at is something divine in both its nature
and its behavior.
● Phil 2:1-2 . . If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort
of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my
joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of
one mind.
The word for "bowels" is splagchnon (splangkh'-non) which means: an
intestine. Your gut is the very place where you "feel" pity and/or sympathy
for others-- that is; if you're capable of those kinds of feelings; not everyone
is.
_
● Eph 4:32 . . Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each
other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Within the context of the letter Paul wrote and sent to the Christians residing
in the ancient city of Ephesus; the objects "one another" and "each other"
are exclusive; viz: the comments refer only to one's fellow Bible-believing
Christians rather than the world at large. So if you're unwilling to be kind
and compassionate to outsiders; at least be so with people at church so as
to help prevent church from becoming a hostile worship environment.
The Greek word for "kind" is chrestos (khrase-tos') which means:
employed; viz: useful.
Chrestos is found in only seven places in the New Testament, and without
exception implies being beneficial to others for their own good rather than
using people to benefit your own self.
The word for "compassionate" is eusplagchnos (yoo'-splangkh-nos) which
means: sympathetic.
Webster's defines sympathy as: 1) an affinity, association, or relationship
between persons or things wherein whatever affects one similarly affects the
other, 2) inclination to think or feel alike: emotional or intellectual accord, 3)
feeling of loyalty: tendency to favor or support, 4) the act, or capacity, of
entering into or sharing the feelings or interests of another, 5) sensitivity,
and 6) heart; as in "have a heart".
Eusplagchnos would make a good substitute for a word found in one of The
Lord's beatitudes.
● Matt 5:7 . . Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
"merciful" is from the word eleemon (el-eh-ay'-mone) which means pretty
much the same thing as eusplagchnos: compassionate and sympathetic.
It used to be that Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts were trained to be useful to
others as just simply a matter of good deeds and good citizenship. I don't
know, maybe they still are; but I've known lots of churchians who were
totally useless to others because they're infected with an ugly spirit of
conceit, rivalry, and indifference. Far from being kind and compassionate;
those Christians are actually sociopathic and don't even know it.
The word "forgiving" is charizomai (khar-id'-zom-ahee) which essentially
means: to grant as a favor; viz: gratuitously, i.e. courtesy.
Webster's defines gratuitous as: 1) given unearned or without recompense,
2) not involving a return benefit or compensation or consideration, 3)
costing nothing: free, 4) not called for by the circumstances: unwarranted,
5) complimentary, 6) gratis, and 7) voluntary. In other words; charizomai
seeks no reciprocation; it never says "you owe me one"
Sailors are oft heard to say that the sea is very unforgiving: meaning it
allows no room for error or weakness. Christians ought not be like the sea.
We ought to be the most forgiving people on the planet; and not because we
expect others to reciprocate; but just because we enjoy being gratuitous.
For some Christians though, courtesy is an effort.
Eph 4:31-32 isn't easy. What we're looking at there is not just good
citizenship; no, what we're looking at is something divine in both its nature
and its behavior.
● Phil 2:1-2 . . If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort
of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my
joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of
one mind.
The word for "bowels" is splagchnon (splangkh'-non) which means: an
intestine. Your gut is the very place where you "feel" pity and/or sympathy
for others-- that is; if you're capable of those kinds of feelings; not everyone
is.
_
Thanks for that WH .
It is very interesting the translations of the root word. Especially your quote on "bowels". Seems to resemble a phrase used in what happened to Judas.
Although it is strange that Judas never asked Jesus for forgiveness even when he said "I have betrayed innocent blood" and tried to give his ill gotten gains back (and received the reply "what's it to us"?) A strange act, giving the money back, as if that would wipe out his deed when it was already done.
It shows he understood he did wrong and felt sorrow and guilt, yet didn't ask Jesus to forgive him, but who knows, maybe it wasn't even possible to ask forgiveness at that point, as Jesus had already been arrested so it wasn't possible.
The word for "bowels" is splagchnon (splangkh'-non) which means: an
intestine. Your gut is the very place where you "feel" pity and/or sympathy
for others-- that is; if you're capable of those kinds of feelings; not everyone
is.
_
"Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out." (Acts 1.18 kjv)
It is very interesting the translations of the root word. Especially your quote on "bowels". Seems to resemble a phrase used in what happened to Judas.
Although it is strange that Judas never asked Jesus for forgiveness even when he said "I have betrayed innocent blood" and tried to give his ill gotten gains back (and received the reply "what's it to us"?) A strange act, giving the money back, as if that would wipe out his deed when it was already done.
It shows he understood he did wrong and felt sorrow and guilt, yet didn't ask Jesus to forgive him, but who knows, maybe it wasn't even possible to ask forgiveness at that point, as Jesus had already been arrested so it wasn't possible.
The word for "bowels" is splagchnon (splangkh'-non) which means: an
intestine. Your gut is the very place where you "feel" pity and/or sympathy
for others-- that is; if you're capable of those kinds of feelings; not everyone
is.
_
"Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out." (Acts 1.18 kjv)
.
● Eph 5:2 . . Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up
for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Christ's love went way beyond just being friendly and helpful. His was a
sacrificial kind of love; in other words: it was protective and supportive at
the cost of deep expense to himself-- but not just as a humanitarian. Christ's
life counted for more than just being neighborly, his life of love was an act
of worship.
● John 6:38 . . I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but
the will of Him who sent me.
● John 8:29 . . I do always those things that please Him.
In point of fact, God prefers to be worshipped by love than by church
attendance.
● Hos 6:6 . . For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God
rather than burnt offerings.
_
● Eph 5:2 . . Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up
for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Christ's love went way beyond just being friendly and helpful. His was a
sacrificial kind of love; in other words: it was protective and supportive at
the cost of deep expense to himself-- but not just as a humanitarian. Christ's
life counted for more than just being neighborly, his life of love was an act
of worship.
● John 6:38 . . I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will, but
the will of Him who sent me.
● John 8:29 . . I do always those things that please Him.
In point of fact, God prefers to be worshipped by love than by church
attendance.
● Hos 6:6 . . For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God
rather than burnt offerings.
_
.
● Eph 5:21 . . Submit to one another out of respect for Christ.
The koiné Greek word for "submit" is hupotasso (hoop-ot-as'-so) which
means: to subordinate (as a verb) which is just the opposite of dominance,
equality, and/or rivalry and competition.
A workable synonym for the kind of submission we're talking about here is
"deference" which Webster's defines as: (1) respect and esteem due a
superior or an elder, and (2) affected, or ingratiating, regard for another's
wishes; viz: honor.
This isn't about a pecking order. What we're talking about here is a Christian
social skill; it's about regarding others as not equal to yourself, but actually
better than yourself; and it pleases Christ to do so; besides being just plain
all around good manners.
● Matt 18:3-4 . . Whoever humbles himself as a little child is the greatest in
the kingdom of heaven.
Little children in that day were minors who had little or no social status at all
to speak of. If somebody abused a minor; it was just too bad since there
were no Child Services bureaus to defend them. Minors were typically among
the ruled rather than among those who do the ruling; and they got like zero
to-none respect from their elders.
In other words, an imperious Christian-- one that's assertive, bossy, take
charge, demanding, argumentative, quarrelsome, impudent, conceited,
domineering, confrontational, manipulative, reactive, independent, non
negotiable, opinionated, obstinately or intolerantly devoted to their own
opinions and prejudices, stubborn, and insistent upon their own way --is
definitely a failure at subordinating themselves to their fellow Christians in a
manner consistent with the Lord's instructions.
_
● Eph 5:21 . . Submit to one another out of respect for Christ.
The koiné Greek word for "submit" is hupotasso (hoop-ot-as'-so) which
means: to subordinate (as a verb) which is just the opposite of dominance,
equality, and/or rivalry and competition.
A workable synonym for the kind of submission we're talking about here is
"deference" which Webster's defines as: (1) respect and esteem due a
superior or an elder, and (2) affected, or ingratiating, regard for another's
wishes; viz: honor.
This isn't about a pecking order. What we're talking about here is a Christian
social skill; it's about regarding others as not equal to yourself, but actually
better than yourself; and it pleases Christ to do so; besides being just plain
all around good manners.
● Matt 18:3-4 . . Whoever humbles himself as a little child is the greatest in
the kingdom of heaven.
Little children in that day were minors who had little or no social status at all
to speak of. If somebody abused a minor; it was just too bad since there
were no Child Services bureaus to defend them. Minors were typically among
the ruled rather than among those who do the ruling; and they got like zero
to-none respect from their elders.
In other words, an imperious Christian-- one that's assertive, bossy, take
charge, demanding, argumentative, quarrelsome, impudent, conceited,
domineering, confrontational, manipulative, reactive, independent, non
negotiable, opinionated, obstinately or intolerantly devoted to their own
opinions and prejudices, stubborn, and insistent upon their own way --is
definitely a failure at subordinating themselves to their fellow Christians in a
manner consistent with the Lord's instructions.
_
.
● Eph 5:25-33 . . Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the
church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with
the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a
glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it
should be holy and without blemish.
. . . In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own
bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his
own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-- for
we are members of his body.
. . ."For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to
his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery--
but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also
must love his wife as he loves himself,
That whole thing, of course, is a practical application of the so-called golden
rule; which first shows up in the Bible at Lev 19:18, applied at Lev 19:34,
and reiterated at Matt 7:12 and Luke 6:31.
The very opposite of the golden rule would be for a husband to do unto his
wife the very things that he does do not enjoy being done to himself; either
by word or by deed.
I'm not a qualified marriage counselor, but in my unprofessional opinion,
were couples to practice the golden rule in their association with each other,
it would go a long ways towards preventing their homes from becoming the
semblance of a cold war.
There are toxic wives out there who do not deserve their husband's
affections; and in fact have done all in their power to destroy them.
Nevertheless, it is his Christian duty to continue looking after her, and to
treat her well as if his very life depended upon it in spite of the fact that she
may be someone he deeply regrets courting.
_
● Eph 5:25-33 . . Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the
church, and gave himself for it; that he might sanctify and cleanse it with
the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a
glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it
should be holy and without blemish.
. . . In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own
bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated his
own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-- for
we are members of his body.
. . ."For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to
his wife, and the two will become one flesh." This is a profound mystery--
but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also
must love his wife as he loves himself,
That whole thing, of course, is a practical application of the so-called golden
rule; which first shows up in the Bible at Lev 19:18, applied at Lev 19:34,
and reiterated at Matt 7:12 and Luke 6:31.
The very opposite of the golden rule would be for a husband to do unto his
wife the very things that he does do not enjoy being done to himself; either
by word or by deed.
I'm not a qualified marriage counselor, but in my unprofessional opinion,
were couples to practice the golden rule in their association with each other,
it would go a long ways towards preventing their homes from becoming the
semblance of a cold war.
There are toxic wives out there who do not deserve their husband's
affections; and in fact have done all in their power to destroy them.
Nevertheless, it is his Christian duty to continue looking after her, and to
treat her well as if his very life depended upon it in spite of the fact that she
may be someone he deeply regrets courting.
_
.
● Eph 5:33b . . and the wife must respect her husband.
We're not talking about admiration here. The Greek verb for "respect" is
phobeo (fob-eh'-o) which essentially refers to fright; and is used just that
way in numerous places throughout the New Testament.
Some translators render phobeo as "reverence" which Webster's defines as
honor or respect; felt or shown; which means that wives don't especially
have to like their husbands in order to respect them. A show of respect will
do in lieu of felt respect. In other words: the Christian wife would do well to
stifle the disgust she feels for her husband and be civil.
I overheard a female caller on radio imperiously announcing to Dr. Laura
that she couldn't respect her husband. So Dr. Laura asked her why. The
caller responded: Because he hasn't earned my respect. So Laura asked the
caller: Have you earned your husband's love? The caller retorted: I don't
have to earn his love. It's a husband's duty to love his wife just as she is.
So Laura pointed out that the caller was practicing a double standard. She
demanded that her husband love her unconditionally, while refusing to
respect him unconditionally. And on top of that; had the chutzpah to dictate
the rules of engagement regardless of how her husband might feel about it;
thus making herself not only impossible to like, but also quite difficult to live
with.
_
● Eph 5:33b . . and the wife must respect her husband.
We're not talking about admiration here. The Greek verb for "respect" is
phobeo (fob-eh'-o) which essentially refers to fright; and is used just that
way in numerous places throughout the New Testament.
Some translators render phobeo as "reverence" which Webster's defines as
honor or respect; felt or shown; which means that wives don't especially
have to like their husbands in order to respect them. A show of respect will
do in lieu of felt respect. In other words: the Christian wife would do well to
stifle the disgust she feels for her husband and be civil.
I overheard a female caller on radio imperiously announcing to Dr. Laura
that she couldn't respect her husband. So Dr. Laura asked her why. The
caller responded: Because he hasn't earned my respect. So Laura asked the
caller: Have you earned your husband's love? The caller retorted: I don't
have to earn his love. It's a husband's duty to love his wife just as she is.
So Laura pointed out that the caller was practicing a double standard. She
demanded that her husband love her unconditionally, while refusing to
respect him unconditionally. And on top of that; had the chutzpah to dictate
the rules of engagement regardless of how her husband might feel about it;
thus making herself not only impossible to like, but also quite difficult to live
with.
_
.
● Eph 6:4 . . Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them
up in the training and instruction of The Lord.
We're not talking about religious training here-- the focus is upon a daddy's
parenting style. Despotism, tyranny, and unfairness are not The Lord's way
of raising kids; but rather; his way is the manner of a shepherd; and "good"
shepherds aren't cruel to their flocks.
Maybe you don't burn your kids with cigarettes, pour Tabasco sauce in their
eyes, or lock them in a hall closet without food and water for two days; but
do you ignore their opinions, demean them with denigrating labels, ridicule
them, threaten their lives, work them as slaves without compensation, deny
them things just so you won't appear to indulge them, and/or say "no" to
their requests for no good reason than that you don't want to seem weak
and under their control?
Do you routinely abuse their human rights, and/or relegate them to the level
of livestock rather than bona fide human beings with feelings and a mind of
their own? Do you nurture within them a feeling of importance, of belonging
in your home, or do you make them feel like an invasive species and/or an
uninvited guest? Kids pick up on things like that.
But aren't there moms out there exasperating their kids? Of course! Mothers
can be just as tyrannical, just as despotic, and just as unfair as dads.
I believe it is a Spirit-filled dad's sacred filial duty to defend his children from
their own mother's abuses should the need arise. Not many dads are willing
to do that because it means risking having the wife turn against him; so
quite a few dads opt to sacrifice the children in order to keep momma
happy.
In my opinion, throwing one's own children to the wolves in order to avoid
living in the same house with a moody woman has to be one of the worst
possible sins a man can ever commit in his own home. It's just downright
cowardly; and tells the kids they can't trust the one man in the whole world
upon whom they should be able to rely in times of distress.
FYI: The Bible predicts that towards the end, parents will become callous
with their babies.
● 2Tim 3:1-3 . . This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
come. For people shall be . . .without natural affection
The koiné Greek word for "without natural affection" is astorgos (as'-tor-gos)
which means: hard-hearted towards kindred; viz: lacking in sympathetic
understanding i.e. unfeeling, pitiless, thoughtless, insensitive, cruel, and
inhumane.
_
● Eph 6:4 . . Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them
up in the training and instruction of The Lord.
We're not talking about religious training here-- the focus is upon a daddy's
parenting style. Despotism, tyranny, and unfairness are not The Lord's way
of raising kids; but rather; his way is the manner of a shepherd; and "good"
shepherds aren't cruel to their flocks.
Maybe you don't burn your kids with cigarettes, pour Tabasco sauce in their
eyes, or lock them in a hall closet without food and water for two days; but
do you ignore their opinions, demean them with denigrating labels, ridicule
them, threaten their lives, work them as slaves without compensation, deny
them things just so you won't appear to indulge them, and/or say "no" to
their requests for no good reason than that you don't want to seem weak
and under their control?
Do you routinely abuse their human rights, and/or relegate them to the level
of livestock rather than bona fide human beings with feelings and a mind of
their own? Do you nurture within them a feeling of importance, of belonging
in your home, or do you make them feel like an invasive species and/or an
uninvited guest? Kids pick up on things like that.
But aren't there moms out there exasperating their kids? Of course! Mothers
can be just as tyrannical, just as despotic, and just as unfair as dads.
I believe it is a Spirit-filled dad's sacred filial duty to defend his children from
their own mother's abuses should the need arise. Not many dads are willing
to do that because it means risking having the wife turn against him; so
quite a few dads opt to sacrifice the children in order to keep momma
happy.
In my opinion, throwing one's own children to the wolves in order to avoid
living in the same house with a moody woman has to be one of the worst
possible sins a man can ever commit in his own home. It's just downright
cowardly; and tells the kids they can't trust the one man in the whole world
upon whom they should be able to rely in times of distress.
FYI: The Bible predicts that towards the end, parents will become callous
with their babies.
● 2Tim 3:1-3 . . This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall
come. For people shall be . . .without natural affection
The koiné Greek word for "without natural affection" is astorgos (as'-tor-gos)
which means: hard-hearted towards kindred; viz: lacking in sympathetic
understanding i.e. unfeeling, pitiless, thoughtless, insensitive, cruel, and
inhumane.
_
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.
● Eph 6:9a . . And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not
threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is
in heaven,
The "masters" in that verse are Christian masters; Paul's letters were written
and sent to churches rather than to the world at large.
If there is one political maxim that seems to ring true in every generation,
it's that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It's in the
human heart to abuse authority and to oppress and exploit people rather
than manage them to everyone's advantage.
Christian masters, and Christian slaves, are siblings together in God's family
(Gal 3:28). Therefore, Christ's law is to be exemplified by both the slave and
by his master.
● John 15:12-13 . . My command is this: Love each other as I have loved
you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his
friends.
A slave master willing to sacrifice his life to protect his slaves would be a
very unusual master; but that is the very attitude of a Spirit-filled master
towards his Christian slaves; and should be the attitude of a Spirit-filled
supervisor towards his Christian employees: which is the attitude of a good
shepherd rather than that of a self-serving predator.
The Christian master's rank doesn't mitigate his accountability; he has no
advantage over the Christian slave. Both must give an accounting of
themselves, and neither the master nor the slave will be given the slightest
preferential treatment. No, they will be recompensed on the merits of their
faithfulness; rather than their positions.
● Eph 6:9b . . There is no favoritism with Him.
_
● Eph 6:9a . . And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not
threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is
in heaven,
The "masters" in that verse are Christian masters; Paul's letters were written
and sent to churches rather than to the world at large.
If there is one political maxim that seems to ring true in every generation,
it's that power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. It's in the
human heart to abuse authority and to oppress and exploit people rather
than manage them to everyone's advantage.
Christian masters, and Christian slaves, are siblings together in God's family
(Gal 3:28). Therefore, Christ's law is to be exemplified by both the slave and
by his master.
● John 15:12-13 . . My command is this: Love each other as I have loved
you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his
friends.
A slave master willing to sacrifice his life to protect his slaves would be a
very unusual master; but that is the very attitude of a Spirit-filled master
towards his Christian slaves; and should be the attitude of a Spirit-filled
supervisor towards his Christian employees: which is the attitude of a good
shepherd rather than that of a self-serving predator.
The Christian master's rank doesn't mitigate his accountability; he has no
advantage over the Christian slave. Both must give an accounting of
themselves, and neither the master nor the slave will be given the slightest
preferential treatment. No, they will be recompensed on the merits of their
faithfulness; rather than their positions.
● Eph 6:9b . . There is no favoritism with Him.
_
.
● Phil 2:2-3 . . Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility consider others better than yourselves.
If there is at least one place on earth where believers should be on the same
plane with each other it's church; but that's not always the case as human
beings are just naturally prone to status; especially among pastors, choir
members, Sunday school teachers, Deacons, Deaconesses, etc.
Some people aren't content with mediocrity; no, they have to be head and
shoulders above the crowd, they have to be admired: they have to be feted,
they have to be heard, they have to be noticed, they have to be somebody,
they have to be a mover and a shaker, they have to be up in an ivory tower;
they have to have their finger on the pulse; they have to be in the limelight.
And above all; they have to be right because it is totally contrary to conceit's
nature to be wrong about anything; even superfluous minutiae.
If you should find yourself in a position around your church, whether as an
usher or a cook for men's Saturday morning prayer breakfast, make sure
you're your heart's in the right place because there is coming a performance
evaluation for the Lord's sheep where some of the elite are going to be very
embarrassed when they're exposed for the ambitious achievers they really
are.
● 1Cor 4:5 . . He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness, and will
expose the motives of men's hearts.
An especially bad case of "vain conceit" is on display at 3John 1:9-10
_
● Phil 2:2-3 . . Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in
humility consider others better than yourselves.
If there is at least one place on earth where believers should be on the same
plane with each other it's church; but that's not always the case as human
beings are just naturally prone to status; especially among pastors, choir
members, Sunday school teachers, Deacons, Deaconesses, etc.
Some people aren't content with mediocrity; no, they have to be head and
shoulders above the crowd, they have to be admired: they have to be feted,
they have to be heard, they have to be noticed, they have to be somebody,
they have to be a mover and a shaker, they have to be up in an ivory tower;
they have to have their finger on the pulse; they have to be in the limelight.
And above all; they have to be right because it is totally contrary to conceit's
nature to be wrong about anything; even superfluous minutiae.
If you should find yourself in a position around your church, whether as an
usher or a cook for men's Saturday morning prayer breakfast, make sure
you're your heart's in the right place because there is coming a performance
evaluation for the Lord's sheep where some of the elite are going to be very
embarrassed when they're exposed for the ambitious achievers they really
are.
● 1Cor 4:5 . . He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness, and will
expose the motives of men's hearts.
An especially bad case of "vain conceit" is on display at 3John 1:9-10
_
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