Wednesday 6 June 2012

What is LOVE...?



1 Corinthians 13:4-8  Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant  or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;   it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.  Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. 


They are 16 key points what LOVE is:

  1. Patient 
  2. kind 
  3. does not envy
  4. does not boast
  5. is not proud
  6. is not rude
  7. is not self-seeking 
  8. is not easily angered
  9. keeps no record of wrongs
  10. does not delight in evil  
  11. rejoices with truth 
  12. always protects 
  13. always trusts
  14. always hopes 
  15. always perseveres 
  16. never fails
Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Notice that fruit is singular. Love is the one fruit of the spirit. If you look from the original language of the text, the fruit of the spirit is truly singular it is not the fruit(s) of the spirit. Love is the fruit of the spirit. The eight words that come after, "... joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control"  are merely further descriptions of the one the fruit of the spirit. In other words love is full of  joy, full of kindness and so on.  

 



Many have a weak notion of love as simply a feeling. A closer look at the word shows us that love is a choice. God so loved the world, that He made the choice to do something (John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life"
The following three verses make  it very clear that love is a decision: 
1 Thessalonians 5:8  But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation 


1 Timothy 6:11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 


2 Timothy 2:22 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  


LOVE  is not only a choice is made once, but it is a choice that we make daily. We should be known for having our whole lifestyle revolve around love. It is the filter  that all of our words, attitudes, and actions have to go through before we speak or act 


2 John 1:6 ...as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.(love) 


Jude 1:21 keep yourselves in the love of God, .......... 


Ephesians 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God...


1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love.  


Love has a certain way that it treats others. As we have seen it is kind, patient, gentle, keeps no record of wrongs  etc. Love also has unique quality about it in that it can cover sin 1 Peter 4:8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 


We are called to love each other deeply, and many have been hindered from doing that because sin has been left exposed. Sin needs to be repented of forgiven and the record destroyed.  Without love, we will still see each other through the lens of that past violation. Love literally gives us back the eyes to see each other without sin .  


Even in the cases where confrontation and exposure are needed to deal with sin, we have a model for how to handle that. The truth must be spoken in love. This pertains to our motivations. We are not to speak the truth just to validate ourselves; we don't speak the truth to injure others; we speak the truth out of a heart of love - a heart that desires healing and restoration  Ephesians 4:15...speak the truth in love..


Colossians 3:12-14 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,   bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.   And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.  

Love is put in the perfect place above all other virtues. It is of the utmost importance. Not only is it the number one priority, but it also is the glue that holds all the other virtues in perfect balance. It would be easy for someone whose highest value is courage to mistreat others. But courage will function at its optimum capacity when used under love. 


Love is as powerfully as two evil forces in the world, fear and death. Song of Solomon 8:6 ... love is strong as death..... and 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love.  


Love is literally a force in the spirit realm. It is as strong as death, and perfect love casts out fear. Many in the church have pursued greater faith but even faith does  not function correctly without love Galatians 5:6 ...faith works through love. 


Speaking of faith, Jesus said," If you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you, I say to you,Matthew 17:20, Luke 17:6 If you had faith like a grain of mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be uprooted and planted in the sea,’and it would obey you.." 



Faith has a power or force great enough to move a mountain, now consider the following truth: 1 Corinthians 13:;13 So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love. This is an amazing statement: love  is greater force than hope or even faith. If a mustard seed of faith can move a mountain or uproot and cast a tree into the sea then what kind of magnificent power dwells in LOVE. What if we lived our life with even a mustard of love ? It would be way beyond moving mountains.  I believe  God is calling the church worldwide to step into 


Ephesians 3:17-19 And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know to know his love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of  of God.  


What would being "filled with fullness of God" look like I would say that it would be purest form of being like JESUS. Because the word says Colossians 1:19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell



homosexuality?

 

There are those who like to say that the Bible does not condemn homosexuality.  Various verses are cited (out of context), and the verses that people use to show that homosexuality is wrong are explained away.  The world wants to change God's words and meanings into something more suitable to its sinful desires.  Nevertheless, the truth stands:  the Bible condemns homosexuality as a sin.  Let's look at what it says.
  • Lev. 18:22, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination."
  • Lev. 20:13, "If there is a man who lies with a male as those who lie with a woman, both of them have committed a detestable act; they shall surely be put to death. Their bloodguiltness is upon them" 
  • 1 Cor. 6:9-10, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God." 
  • Rom. 1:26-28, "For this reason God gave them over to degrading passions; for their women exchanged the natural function for that which is unnatural, 27and in the same way also the men abandoned the natural function of the woman and burned in their desire toward one another, men with men committing indecent acts and receiving in their own persons the due penalty of their error. 28And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper."
Homosexuality is clearly condemned by the Bible.  It goes against the created order of God who created Adam, a man, and then made Eve, a woman.  This is what God has ordained as the normal means by which we carry out his command to fill the earth Gen. 1:28.  What God has set up is what is right -- not what sinful man sets up. 
However, unlike other sins, homosexuality has a severe judgment administered by God Himself. This judgment is simple:  they are given over to their passions.  That means that their hearts are allowed to be hardened by their sins Romans 1:24.  As a result, they can no longer see the error of what they are doing, and then they go and promote it and condemn others who don't participate in their sin.  So, without an awareness of their sinfulness, there will be no repentance and trusting in Jesus.  Without Jesus, they will have no forgiveness.  Without forgiveness, there is no salvation. Without salvation, there is only damnation in eternal hell. 
Just because someone is a homosexual does not mean that we cannot love him (or her) or pray for him (her).  Homosexuality is a sin, and like any other sin it needs to be dealt with in the only way possible.  It needs to be laid at the cross and repented of.
Please understand that I don't hate homosexuals.  I wouldn't care if my neighbor were gay.  I've had homosexual friends and have loved them the same as I would anyone else.  But, the Bible says homosexuality is a sin.  And, like all sinners, the person needs to be forgiven.  That can be found in Jesus.  He is the Lord, the Savior, the risen King.  I would say to gays that if you want to love another man, love Jesus -- not in a homosexual attitudinal sense, but in one of respect and trust.  After all, Jesus is God in flesh John 1:1,14 and he died to save sinners.  We are all sinners.
We Christians should pray for the salvation of the homosexual the same as we would for any other person in sin.  It is not an issue of arrogance or judgmentalism.  It is a loving thing to do.  We don't want anyone to be lost due to their sin.  The homosexual is still made in the image of God -- even though he is in grave sin.  Therefore, we should show homosexuals the same dignity as anyone else with whom we come in contact.  Don't injure them.  Don't hate them.  However, this does not mean that you are to approve of their sin.  Don't compromise your witness for a socially acceptable opinion that is void of godliness and biblical truth.  Instead, stand firm in the word that God has revealed and patiently love him/her biblically, and pray for their salvation.
Finally, if you are a homosexual, please understand that I do not hate you nor do I judge you.  Sin is sin and the solution is found in Christ.  I know... I've had my own sins to deal with 

Tuesday 5 June 2012

Is it not Biblical for men to wear earrings? part 2

As with certain issues, such as smoking, use of makeup, celebration of birthdays, and others, there is no specific “Thou shalt not…” regarding earrings to be found in the Bible. But there areprinciples in Scripture to which we can look. One is found in I Corinthians 11:14: “Does not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame to him?” Paul is saying that common sense—“nature”—tells us that men should look like men, not women. They should not have long hair, because it is a sin—“a shame.”
This principle applies to earrings. Typically and historically, it has been women who wear earrings.  Even in today’s liberal, laid-back society, it is still mostly women who do this. Also factor in that, in recent decades, men choosing to live “alternative lifestyles” often chose to pierce their ears as a signal to others. Notice Deuteronomy 22:5: “The woman shall not wear that which pertains unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman’s garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the Lord your God.”
Zephaniah 1:8 states, “And it shall come to pass in the day of the Lord’s sacrifice, that I will punish the princes, and the king’s children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel.” The Jamison, Fausset and Brown Commentary explains “strange apparel” as “…garments forbidden by the law—e.g., men’s garments worn by women, and vice versa.” So we can now see why it is wrong for men to wear earrings. It is a SIN for men to appear effeminate!
Another scriptural principle applies. Aside from looking unmanly, men with earrings have traditionally been viewed as strange, outlandish, or rebellious. But a Christian must not appear this way. The apostle Paul wrote, “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (I Thes. 5:22). So, even appearance in a matter is important. 
Also, jewelry of this type for men only appeals to vanity. Human beings naturally want to be accepted by the world around them. But what does God say about this? “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world” (I John 2:15-16). Christians must come out of the world (Rev. 18:4). And people should remember them for their character—not whether or not they bought into the latest fad.
God’s Word does mention earrings worn by men in several places, but they ALL involve God’s servants telling people toremove or give up earrings. See Genesis 35:4Exodus 35:22Numbers 31:50; andJudges 8:24-26. Also, recall the story of the golden calf (Exodus 32). Aaron fashioned it out of the Israelites’ earrings—including the men’s (vs. 2-4). In this account, idolatry is linked to earring-wearing!
Interestingly, the Bible does talk about men having their ears pierced, but it is not desirable. Notice: “And it shall be, if he say unto you, I will not go away from you; because he loves you and your house, because he is well with you; then you shall take an awl, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be your servant forever…” (Deut. 15:16-17; also Ex. 21:5-6). In ancient Israel, a slave (“servant”) who wished to remain with his master had his ear pierced. Certainly no one today wishes to be an indentured servant!
It should now be clear that God condemns earrings for men. It is a sign of unmanliness, rebellion, vanity and worldliness—and even idolatry and slavery! 

Is it not Biblical for men to wear earrings?

In this part of the world earrings are commonly worn by females as part of their make-up when they dress. When it comes to a question of men having biblical support for them to wear or not to wear earrings, much is left to be desired. There is a quest. The Holy Spirit must surely handle the quest. He must provide an alternative that would glorify the Almighty God.

There was problem in the wilderness when Moses went to God collect to Torah that was to guide the Israelites. Aaron who was shepherding the Israelite's allowed certain things that made God to be angry. Moses was also angry. His anger almost led to another serious problem for him.!

Ex. 32:1-10 "And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron and said untohim, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we know not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughter, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings, which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And when Aaron saw, it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, To morrow is a feast to the LORD.

And they rose up early on the morrow and offered burnt offerings and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink and rose up to play. And the Lord said unto Moses, Go, get thee down; for thy people which thou broughtest out of the land of Egypt, have corrupted themselves. They have turned aside quickly out of the way, which I command them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said; which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

And the Lord said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stiff-necked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them and that I may consume them and I will make of thee a great nation. 

Both men and women were in the wilderness where the above story happened. The only available thing for them to use to replace god was the earring on them. Can you imagine that. This is ridiculously simple. They made other gods beside the Almighty with the use of earrings. Whatever you are doing that has replaced God in your life has become an idol. It may not even be earrings. If God frowns at earrings, let us be careful so that it would not become our God when men and women take to wearing it.

I Cor.6:12 "Everything is permissible for me" but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me" - but I will not be mastered by anything". - 

Paul was exhorting the Corinthians Church to per peculiar in their way of behavior because the blood of Church has redeemed them. The same admonition is coming to us today to tailor the way of the world or the flesh. For mean to wear earrings may be permissible because of your setting. It may be permissible because of your culture. Nevertheless, we should not be mastered by anything because we are witnesses for Jesus.

I Cor. 10:23 "Everything is permissible" - but not everything is
beneficial. "Everything is constructive. Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others.

Earring for men is not constructive. It is seeking to promote worldliness and the bible warns us concerning the love for the world.

I John 2:15-17 "Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of the eyes, and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and it desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever"

I am aware earring is part of our female's dressing in some denominations. Some don't even use it based on conviction. However, the question of whether it is lawful for women to wear it is not before us now. This is controversial. Since I am not answering questions that have to do with dressing, I will not dwell on that. However, for men to put on earrings, it abnormal, lustful desires of the eyes. Like I have said it may be acceptable in some customs and religions but certainly not in Christianity.

What then is the will of God?

Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 "Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including, every hidden thing, whether it is good of evil.

We must answer these questions that God will bring into judgment:

. Are you born again? John 3:3, 7

. Will what I am wearing including earrings bring others to Christ or drive them away?

. Will Jesus be glorified in my dressing including the putting on of earrings?

. Is it a good report for me as a Christian to wear earrings even as a man? - Philippians 4:8

If you want more to read on the implication of some of the imported ideas from customs, traditions and demons, please consult our internet and view past answers to past bible questions where I dealt with the topic "Are tattoos and piercing OK?