How We Can Tell If We Possess The Agape of God

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2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
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#41
@Phoneman-777

Question for you: Do you feel that you have the "favor of the Lord?" Do you feel as though what you say has been established by God Himself?
 
Aug 3, 2019
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#42
Seems like you're inching closer to finally getting it. It's all about love for God and love for our neighbor as ourselves.

P.S. - there won't be any people in heaven who didn't break the 10 commandments. But there will plenty of people who loved their neighbor enough to be merciful when they failed.

Matthew 5:7
7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

James 2:12-13
12So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
13For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Totally agree... however, it's not necessary to warn the children about that which poses no threat, but that which is a threat, especially those threats which come to them with concealed horns, fangs, and claws.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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#43
I guarantee you've got no clue as to what is the Seal with which the Holy Spirit seals the disciples of Jesus, and if I showed you the verse, your Biblical world view might collapse, so I'll forebear ;)
Instead of discussing Scripture, you're parading your supposed knowledge like a trophy. I'm not interested in such stupidity. If you can't share freely what you have freely received, what you have to share isn't worth having.
 
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#44
@Phoneman-777

Question for you: Do you feel that you have the "favor of the Lord?" Do you feel as though what you say has been established by God Himself?
This OP is about how it can be determined Biblically who is able to obtain agape, who has agape, and who cannot obtain agape.

With Scripture directing us to the method for doing so. Any more thoughts about that?
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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#45
You've disproved nothing. They are SAINTS in Matthew 24:12 KJV because they possess "agape".
Wrong! Do your homework. The word agape does not necessarily denote love for or of God, despite what many inadequately informed Christians want to believe.

You've yet to show the "many" do not possess agape.
You've yet to show that the wicked can possess agape.
And, you know you will never be able to, which means both groups in Matthew 24:12-13 KJV are SAINTS.
Your rhetoric is irrelevant because your premise is wrong.
 
Aug 3, 2019
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#46
Instead of discussing Scripture, you're parading your supposed knowledge like a trophy. I'm not interested in such stupidity. If you can't share freely what you have freely received, what you have to share isn't worth having.
Sorry, but my comment was for 2TimG. Would you like to see which Bible verse tells us exactly what it is with which the disciples of Jesus are sealed?
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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#47
Sorry, but my comment was for 2TimG. Would you like to see which Bible verse tells us exactly what it is with which the disciples of Jesus are sealed?
Why would I ask you for that, when I know directly from Scripture?
 
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#48
Wrong! Do your homework. The word agape does not necessarily denote love for or of God, despite what many inadequately informed Christians want to believe.
Why do you keep barking orders at me? Jesus never compelled anyone, right or wrong?

"Agape" most certainly denotes "divine love of God" - that unconditional, self-sacrificing, unselfishly motivated love that is only obtain from Him, not generated within by us. Check it out for yourself :)
Your rhetoric is irrelevant because your premise is wrong.
Claiming something is wrong doesn't make it wrong. Produce your reasons for saying so, please.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
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#50
This OP is about how it can be determined Biblically who is able to obtain agape, who has agape, and who cannot obtain agape.

With Scripture directing us to the method for doing so. Any more thoughts about that?
Amazing.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
25,472
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#51
Why do you keep barking orders at me? Jesus never compelled anyone, right or wrong?

"Agape" most certainly denotes "divine love of God" - that unconditional, self-sacrificing, unselfishly motivated love that is only obtain from Him, not generated within by us. Check it out for yourself :)
Claiming something is wrong doesn't make it wrong. Produce your reasons for saying so, please.
"One of the most popular linguistic and exegetical fallacies in modern times is that the Greek word for love, agapao, carries in it the implication of a divine love that is unconditional and comes to us in spite of our sin.

"That is not true. Context must decide if agapao refers to our proud, cliquish love for our cronies (as in Matthew 5:46), or if it refers to God’s merciful and sacrificial love for sinners (as in John 3:16), or if it refers to our love for leaders, not unconditionally but precisely because of their labor (1 Thessalonians 5:13). (John Piper: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/appreciation-for-don-carson)
 

soberxp

Senior Member
May 3, 2018
2,511
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#53
what is OSAS,
In this way, we may all have a time to look at others and thinking they are wrong,and I am right.
All we need to do is show the words of the Bible without unnecessary argument.
If people blind let them be blind,May God guide them .
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,145
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#54
In Matthew 24:12-13 KJV, Jesus contrasts two groups: (1) those that "shall endure to the end" and are "saved", and (2) the "many" who allow their love to grow cold because of widespread iniquity.
STOP!!!
At this time, please take a moment to acknowledge what you
and everyone else believes about these "many":
that they are the wicked who were never saved
and will end up lost
.

Except, that these "many" are indeed saints!

How do we know?

Jesus said their "love" (Greek: "AGAPE") would grow cold and only the saints can partake of "agape"!

How do we know?

John says the agape of God is demonstrated by the keeping of His commandments (1 John 5:3 KJV) while Paul says the wicked absolutely cannot keep God's commandments even if they wanted to (Romans 8:7 KJV)!!!

Now, at this time, you are reconsidering what you acknowledged a few seconds ago:
that the "many" whose agape grows cold and dead are going to be lost.

When you thought the "many" were the wicked, you had no problem understanding they would be lost
in contrast to those who will endure to the end and are saved,
but now that I've proven these "many" can't possibly be the "wicked" - but are saints who will end up lost -
you're now stumbling over yourself to find a way to make them "saved"
because of your preconceived belief in OSAS.

Shame on you. You know full well that we are never to approach the Bible with preconceived notions and search for texts that prop up our doctrine, but we are to pray for the Holy Spirit to "guide you into all truth", come what may. Well, what has come is the death of OSAS. What are you going to do about it?
I think it’s confusing when people think his commandments are those in the ot . And don’t realize it’s what Jesus taught us to do that are Gods commandments

so I would say the answer to your question of how de we know is answered by the apostle John in his first epistle to the church

Johns epistles in many ways outshine the apostle Paul’s whole collection they both have glory and edification but sometimes johns word is what we need

Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?

My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.

And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.”
‭‭1 John‬ ‭3:16-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John isn’t talking about any promise Moses made for his words or the Ten Commandments , he is directly talking about what Jesus said about his own gospel when he was teaching his disciples . John says godly love is loving others in “deed and truth “ and not merely in word and thought .

James says the exact same thing pertaining to real living faith using the same example dorectly from Jesus doctrine and not Moses law

“For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment. What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
‭‭James‬ ‭2:13-17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

I think the reason we need to believe in Jesus is because his words are the ones God requires Moses also wrote this in the law that “ God would raise up another prophet from Israel’s sons and he would speak the word of God to them that they would have to hear and believe “
The ot tells us thy Christ would set judgement in the earth before he died and rose . So it’s important that we seperate Moses anti commandments made for sinners , and Jesus commandments of eternal
Life that give those promises of the Holy Spirit , inheritance of the eternal kingdom of God , the resurrection. Ect

Moses law meant if they kept it they would have blessed crops on earth and then later die . The gospel means we’re promised everlasting life when we part from the flesh we need to keep and learn from Jesus words like helping the ooor and needy or the widow and orphans the lonely and troubled needing comfort or hungry needing food

the left out and looked over with no help . Jesus teaches us to walk in life as e Good Samaritan helping those in need of what we have to help with Moses taught ordinances and carnal commandments meant for Israel’s children whom never repented
 
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#55
"One of the most popular linguistic and exegetical fallacies in modern times is that the Greek word for love, agapao, carries in it the implication of a divine love that is unconditional and comes to us in spite of our sin.

"That is not true. Context must decide if agapao refers to our proud, cliquish love for our cronies (as in Matthew 5:46), or if it refers to God’s merciful and sacrificial love for sinners (as in John 3:16), or if it refers to our love for leaders, not unconditionally but precisely because of their labor (1 Thessalonians 5:13). (John Piper: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/appreciation-for-don-carson)
"Agapeo" and "Agape" are two different words. "Agape" is always used in reference to Godly love...ALWAYS.

Find just one instance where "AGAPE" is used in connection with anything other than the Godly, divine, unconditional love of God, and I'll concede your point. Until then, my point stands, which is "The Wicked do not partake of AGAPE."

(I already looked, and didn't find a single instance ;) )
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
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#57
Until then, my point stands, which is "The Wicked do not partake of AGAPE."
Respectfully, I hear what you're saying . . . and you're making a very good point. I will not lie, or act as though you were not. Credit should be given when it is Truly due.
 
Aug 3, 2019
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#58
Respectfully, I hear what you're saying . . . and you're making a very good point. I will not lie, or act as though you were not. Credit should be given when it is Truly due.
Finally, someone who is objective enough to acknowledge my point :D...a much appreciated sentiment among the many who are biting and scratching to make the wicked recipients and practitioners of "agape" - a thing so contrary to Biblical reasoning that it can no more agree with Scripture than the Spirit can agree with the flesh in a Christian man.
 

2ndTimothyGroup

Well-known member
Feb 20, 2021
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#59
Finally, someone who is objective enough to acknowledge my point :D...a much appreciated sentiment among the many who are biting and scratching to make the wicked recipients and practitioners of "agape" - a thing so contrary to Biblical reasoning that it can no more agree with Scripture than the Spirit can agree with the flesh in a Christian man.
There is no doubt that you are making a good point (as far as I can tell without researching), but there is so much Bible that contradicts the point. I am open to any and all ideas because I only care about the Truth. Anything other than Truth could possibly lead us to hell, so again, the only thing I care about is what is True.
 

Dino246

Senior Member
Jun 30, 2015
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#60
I knew you didn't know what the Bible says is the Seal with which the disciples are sealed. Most don't.
If you want to act like a petulant ten-year-old, you can do so without my involvement.