Love is a commandment.

My understanding of the word commandment is that it is not one in which we are given a choice, but rather one which we must obey. In both the New Testament and the Old we find repeated passages of the Commandment to Love. We are even told that this does not simply apply to those who love us, but to those whom we perceive to be our enemies as well.

So, in all of our bursting of bubbles, inflating and deflating of egos, displaying of talents and skills, putting up and putting down, let us truly pray that God will allow us, teach us, and renew our efforts to keep His Commandment of Love. Let us truly learn to say, and mean it when we say, God loves you and so do I. For, "God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2001

Answers

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels and have not love I am become as a sounding brass or a tinkling symbol.." Thank you Bro. Matthews for reminding us of the centrality and supremacy of love. If we forget that (as we do from time to time)we miss the whole point.

-- Anonymous, June 13, 2001

What is love? Everyone has his or her own defnition. Please spare me the Greek terms, etc. What does it mean to DO love? Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, June 13, 2001

Sticking with Bro. Matthews' reference to John's Epistle, let me respond to Pastor Paris' challenge regarding the ability to DO love. I John 3:18 says it all, "Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and truth" [NKJ Version] Deed and truth transforms thoughts into purposeful action. QED

-- Anonymous, June 13, 2001

Rev. Paris,

I believe that much of the New Testament employs Greek terms. However, as you requested, I too will not attempt to use them here. You are also correct in stating that our ideas of what love is, are many and varied.

However, the love, of which Saint Paul speaks to the Corinthians, is indeed active love. On contemplating what he has said I simply reflected and thought about what love in action means to me. He of course says it much more profoundly than I, and I would never be so bold as to think or presume I might say it better than he.

In a previous post I stated my own simple definition. Please allow me to repeat it here.

Love is not attempting to recreate another in our own image, but rather, seeing the image, which God has created, and saying Amen!

-- Anonymous, June 13, 2001

Dear Mr. Matthews,

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. has a collection of sermons at most bookstores. In one of his sermons on "Love thy enemies", he stated that he was glad that Jesus said in Matthew 5:44 to "Love thy enemy rather than to like thy enemy". He explained that in the original greek text that "agapao"( which is the base word of the inflected form of "agapate") means to show your enemy the highest form of love. The "agapao" love is the sacrificial and redemptive love that God has shown towards man. Dr. King said that if Jesus had said "phileo" our enemy, it would have suggested that we have to have a particular affection for our enemies. However, "agapao" means that even though our enemies are mean-spirited or obnoxious at times, we are going to take the loftier plane and do what's best for their well- being even if we don't like their behavior. I heard another minister say that many times God does not like our behavior but He still loves us and is determined to do what's best for us.

JazzMan

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2001

In the words of God's Property...."Love a word that comes and goes but few people really know what it means to really love somebody...love though the tears may fade away I"m so glad your love will stay, cause I love you, and you showed me Jesus what it really means to love" The Word says...God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him."

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2001

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. 14 You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. Blessings, Pastor Paris

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2001