what is love?

[Webers.Home]

.
● Jude 1:20-21 . . But you, beloved-- building yourselves up on your most
holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit --keep yourselves in the love of God,
looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

"keep yourselves in the love of God" is somewhat vague. It can indicate
God's love for the believer, and/or it can indicate the believer's love for God.
I tend to suspect it's both because Jesus said:

● John 14:15 . . If you love me, you will obey what I command

● John 14:21 . .Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one
who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will
love him

● John 15:9-10 . . As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now
remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love,
just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.

The Greek word translated "keep" is very ambiguous. One of its meanings
refers to safe-guarding and/or protecting so as to prevent loss.

It's impossible for a believer to stop God from caring for them, but by their
conduct they can, and they often do, make it difficult for Him to actually like
them.

Prayer in the Holy Spirit simply means to communicate with heaven via the
God-given method rather than one's own, or a method prescribed by one's
denomination; i.e. man-made methods. The protocol has to be God-given or
else your thoughts will just bounce off heaven's door like popcorn off the
side of a brick house.

The mercy spoken of is one's resurrection to a permanent, immortal body;
which is something that Jude says them that are sanctified by God the
Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ and called should anticipate, viz: not
just wish for, but instead fully, and confidently, expect to obtain. (Phil 3:20
21, 1John 3:2-3)
_

 

[Webers.Home]

.
● Jude 1:22-23 . . On some have compassion, making a distinction; but
others rescue with fright, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the
garment defiled by the flesh.

Some Christians are offended by fear because it violates their concept of
love. But fear can be a good thing if it's applied judiciously. For instance: it
is just as wise to be afraid of God as it is wise to be afraid of cactus spines, a
mule's kick, and/or a forest fire.

Christians neglecting to build themselves up on their most holy faith, to pray
in the Holy Spirit, to keep themselves in the love of God, and to look for the
mercy of their Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life; are seriously off
reservation. Some are so far off-reservation that somebody needs to get in
their face and confront them about their condition, even if it means
becoming harsh, insensitive, and judgmental because stray Christians are
also away from God's providence; and that is a very risky situation to be in.

Some off-reservation Christians can be stopped from destroying themselves;
while others are too far gone. Of those with possibilities, counselors have to
use a little God-given common sense as it isn't necessary to employ fright
with everyone-- just the ones who are particularly difficult. Some people can
be reasoned with, while others only understand fear and can be persuaded
to move in the right direction only by lighting a fire under them, so to speak.
_