How are we supposed to love God?

[just-me]

It was a foregone conclusion it seems from your #2 post. You don't have to contribute. This post is about loving God with all our heart mind and soul. Please don't start a controversy according to man made doctrines.
Post #2

My guess is this is headed toward another lecture about the need to keep non-moral elements of the Old Covenant.

post #20

This thread is just another attempt of Sabbath/festival/clean unclean meats guys to proclaim their doctrines again. It's a broken record.

 

[just-me]

There are dozens of places in scripture where “love” is tied with keeping the commandments. Unfortunately those Christians who truly “love the Lord” according to scripture are labeled as Legalists and Judaizers for keeping the commandments, and often encounter persecution from “the Church.” This is because in Christianity “love” is defined by a status quo, so to be a good Christian each one must fashion their “love” according to the values of a core group or denomination. In recent times, many good, God fearing Christians have become ashamed to even be called “Christians” after being attacked by so many Christians for keeping the commandments. Many opt instead to be labeled as “Believers” because they realize that love requires sacrifice, and that love is not a cerebral (intellectual or emotional) ideology that negates the commandments.

“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.” (Romans 13:8-10)

Paul is clearly teaching that these five commandments are examples of how a person demonstrates love to their neighbor; this kind of love is the fulfillment of Torah (God's instructions in righteousness). “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, (one manifestation) even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Galatians 5:14) The many other definitions of love that lack the commandments also lack the connection to justice and righteousness. Man's interpretation of “love” often reverts to carnal instincts like anarchy, excess, sensuality, emotionalism etc.

 

[Richie_2uk]

Scripture tells us how to love God, and there are many places in the Bible to find that instruction. Many people might want to post that we are supposed to love God with all out heart, mind, and soul. This is true, but in no way is detailed information. These entities of heart, mind, and soul work as one because we are made in 'Their image.' Genesis 1:26

The heart, mind, and soul are entities that function together as motivation, thought, and discernment.

The questions are then;

"Where do we find the information that will motivate us in the correct direction according to God's will?"

"What instructions in righteousness are we given that invoke the mind and soul correctly and not carnally?"

"How are we supposed know how to love God?"

Don't just give opinion. Accompany your opinion with scripture to confirm your opinion. Please be as definitive as you can, and try to stay away from generic posts. We are to edify one another.

Here is one verse to begin. "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2 Timothy 3:16

Hello just-Me. My Guess its the increase of Sin in the world in these end times. In Matthew 24: 12 says; Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold. to some people that verse means only to the people of the world, I personally think that is towards God too. Everyone is caught up in sin, that they are forgetting about God first love for us, 1 John 4: 19. says: "We love him, because he first loved us" so who are we not to repay that love to the very one who first gave us that love in the beginning?

People of the world finds themselves in that culture were they just take take and take, but hardly if ever give back. they get in that such deep hole of just taking, they forget or they don't know how to give back. I'm not saying the OP is in that situation. But speaking hypothetically.

I personally think to love God is to let more of his love in you, you will then see that his love is real, and you will eventually learn to trust it, embrace it, and accept it, In the mean time learning to give back, then you will start feeling good about yourself sharing, and giving the love back to God.

How can we not love God for what he does for us?
How can we not love God for sending his own son to die for our sins?
How can we not give back the love god first given to us?

Read your bible with Matthew 7: 7 in mind. the more you read and take in God's word, you will understand the meaning of God's love. If you don't understand anything about the bible, or about what God says in the bible, then who better to ask in faith? Matthew 7: 7 is the answer. The more you get to know God's word, and what he is and has been telling you and the world all this time. You will know what love really is. you will learn to accept it and learn to give back to God.

 

[sparkman]

just-me, to clarify, are you saying categorically that the intent of your thread is not to lead people to think that they need to keep the Sabbath, festivals, clean-unclean meats?

If so, I apologize. If not, I do not apologize

By the way, if the conversation veers in that direction, I highly recommend this video by James White on works-righteousness cults. I belonged to one for a decade. I wouldn't recommend for anyone to take a 10 year detour from a productive, faith-filled life.

And, yes, before the slanders start, I believe that faith produces salvation produces obedience, but not obedience to Old Covenant ceremonial and ritualistic elements like the aforementioned. I am not antinomian.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70aoknJgGGY

 

[sparkman]

The book of Galatians is the key book to understand in order to refute the arguments of Judaizers who claim you must keep non-moral elements of the Old Covenant as a condition or necessary fruit of salvation.

 

[just-me]

just-me, to clarify, are you saying categorically that the intent of your thread is not to lead people to think that they need to keep the Sabbath, festivals, clean-unclean meats?

There has been no endorsement of Sabbath keeping, festivals clean or unclean foods according to the law God gave to Moses. That is totally your assumptions or a presumptuous thought process of yours which is totally uncalled for. “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” Psalm 19:13

If so, I apologize. If not, I do not apologize.

“And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” Luke 17:4

I see no repentant heart in your apology because your next statement shows that presumptuousness (self enticed skepticism) is still in your heart, showing you need to be more mindful of God's love for you and your love toward your neighbor and returning your love back toward God Almighty by following His commandments of love.

By the way, if the conversation veers in that direction, I highly recommend this video by James White on works-righteousness cults. I belonged to one for a decade. I wouldn't recommend for anyone to take a 10 year detour from a productive, faith-filled life.

And, yes, before the slanders start, I believe that faith produces salvation produces obedience, but not obedience to Old Covenant ceremonial and ritualistic elements like the aforementioned. I am not antinomian.

True faith in God is actually loving God and keeping His commandments as Jesus Christ did.

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept "my Father's commandments," and abide in his love.” John 15:10

Deuteronomy 6:1-6
1 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:
2 That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

 

[just-me]

The New Testament is called the Brit Chadasha that literally means, a “making new” of the covenant of love that God had formerly established between Himself and His people. Although there is a change of the priesthood in the renewed covenant, God's Word and commandments remain eternal, love has never changed, and if anything love has been magnified.

“ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” (Matthew 5:27-28 and Matthew 24:12)

Therefore, as the commandments grow within the heart, true love will always grow. Love, therefore, is a voluntary and personal choice to do the right thing and keep the commandments.

Joshua teaches that loving God means “to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 22:5 and Joshua 24:15)

To love God means to keep His commandments. There is no other substitute a person can make to demonstrate their love to God Almighty or to each other, because true love is righteous, it is “Set Apart” and does good towards God and all of His creation. We are to become as “little children” who can put trust in Messiah and simply do what He asks, rather than be rebellious and find religious loopholes that make us feel better about breaking the commandments.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

The new covenant was initiated at Christ's death according to Hebrews 9:16-17. In John 15:10, Jesus said that He kept His Fathers commandments, so how are we to have the mind of Christ if we reject some of God's words spoken to Israel? Wouldn't we also have to reject all the teachings of Jesus before His death since the New Testament wasn't in effect then?

Instructions for loving God is mentioned in Deuteronomy chapter 6 and instructions for loving our neighbor are in Leviticus 19 both being instructions to Israel under the old covenant.

back to the law again.

[SUP]5 [/SUP]‘And if you offer a sacrifice of a peace offering to the Lord, you shall offer it of your own free will. [SUP]6 [/SUP]It shall be eaten the same day you offer it, and on the next day. And if any remains until the third day, it shall be burned in the fire. [SUP]7 [/SUP]And if it is eaten at all on the third day, it is an abomination. It shall not be accepted. [SUP]8 [/SUP]Therefore everyone who eats it shall bear his iniquity, because he has profaned the hallowed offering of the Lord; and that person shall be cut off from his people.

so this is how we love our neighbor??

other than this, I did not say anything which showed me how to love my neighbor. All I saw was a bunch of do not do's that is not instructions, that is warnings.

Loving is an action word. You love someone by doing something FOR THEM. (action) not by NOT DOING SOMETHING to THEM.

I can not love a lady, and even hate her, yet never think of coveting, or sleeping with her. thats just nonsense saying that is how to love..

 

[crossnote]

This thread is just another attempt of Sabbath/festival/clean unclean meats guys to proclaim their doctrines again. It's a broken record.

The Old Covenant was an agreement between God and the nation of Israel (Ex. 31:12-17).The Ten Commandments are a summary of the Old Covenant (Ex 31:18, 34:28; Deut 4:13, 9:9, 11).The Old Covenant is no longer in effect for anyone (2 Cor 3:4-18, Gal 3:17-25, Heb 8:13-9:4).The Sabbath, therefore, is not in effect for anyone (Gal 4:10, Rom 14:5-6, Col 2:16-17).Christians are under the New Covenant, which has higher demands and different commandments (Luke 22:20, Heb 9:15; Jn 13:34, 15:12, 17; Rom 13:10).The chief of those commandments is to love others as Christ loved us (Jn 13:34).

yeah, I saw the trap but gave an answer I knew wouldn't be approved by the legalists

 

[eternally-gratefull]

news flash. If you love God and your neighbor (the way God loved us, and the way Christ loved all he came around) you do not need lev 16, the ten commandment, or any other rule and regulation God gave, You will fulfill those commands, not because God gave them to you, but because Love does not hurt, love does not steel, love does not covet, love does not do anything, but serve, give and heal.

this law keeping way of loving god and neighbor is just another way to push law down our throats, and take away from what is really important.

Serve others, stop thinking of self (which are what the commandments do. force us to think of self. how good am I, How am I doing this, How I........) and you will not have to worry. God will let you know when you mess up.

 

[crossnote]

There has been no endorsement of Sabbath keeping, festivals clean or unclean foods according to the law God gave to Moses. That is totally your assumptions or a presumptuous thought process of yours which is totally uncalled for. “Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.” Psalm 19:13

“And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” Luke 17:4

I see no repentant heart in your apology because your next statement shows that presumptuousness (self enticed skepticism) is still in your heart, showing you need to be more mindful of God's love for you and your love toward your neighbor and returning your love back toward God Almighty by following His commandments of love.

True faith in God is actually loving God and keeping His commandments as Jesus Christ did.

“If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept "my Father's commandments," and abide in his love.” John 15:10

Deuteronomy 6:1-6
1 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:
2 That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
3 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.
4 Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord:
5 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:

We definitely don't pass judgement, we keep the commandments...okiee dokey.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

We definitely don't pass judgement, we keep the commandments...okiee dokey.

I remember growing up kids who hated their parents, but would always obey their commands because of the fear of punishment (let the beatings commence)

if obeying commands was how to love, these kids were the greatest lover of their parents than most kids, even though they hated them.

A person who loves does not need to be told over an dover to be home at 8, he is told once, and his being home is not out of some duty, it is out of love, the command does not even come into the picture.

the only people who need to keep focusing on the commands are those who have not been lead by the commands to christ yet. they need them to prove to them, there are non righteous no not one, for all have sinned and fall short. and be led by the schoolmaster to Christ.

You do not teach a child of God the comand do not covet. You teach a child of God how to love and praise God for all his neighbor has been given.. to love outwardly and not think of self. and the command do not covet is automatically obeyed without even being told. because it is no longer needed.

 

[just-me]

We definitely don't pass judgement, we keep the commandments...okiee dokey.

You are absolutely correct!
"Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the Lord.

"Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment." John 7:24

 

[just-me]

yeah, I saw the trap but gave an answer I knew wouldn't be approved by the legalists

Truth isn't a trap. Truth is the freedom to abide in Christ, but not according to our own determination and persuasions, for if we believe in Christ Jesus we have freedom from the slavery of carnality and fleshly desire.

 

[eternally-gratefull]

Truth isn't a trap. Truth is the freedom to abide in Christ, but not according to our own determination and persuasions, for if we believe in Christ Jesus we have freedom from the slavery of carnality and fleshly desire.

then when are you going to start preaching truth, and not the lie of judaism?

 

[Grandpa]

The difference between carnal thinking (OT thinking) and spiritual thinking (NT thinking) is that one person thinks they are required to love God and others think they are given this gift of love for God.

That is the whole thing about commands. They are commanding carnal people to act spiritually. Its not possible. But carnal people can't understand. They are not given this sight.

The Spirit is given as a gift. All the fruit of this spirit is a gift as well. Only those with eyes to see and ears to hear know what is spirit and what is not.

With all that being said I think this can be a good thread if we don't start arguing the imaginary argument between law and grace...

The Truth is that we love God the same way the Lord Jesus did. We do what we see Him do. We say what we hear Him say. Everything in the Spirit is designed to turn you to the Lord Jesus Christ from where all of our blessings flow. All.

If I could figure out how to impart this gift of turning to the Lord Jesus I surely would. As it is all I can do is attempt to explain from a carnal perspective to another carnal perspective.

Matthew 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

What have you seen the Lord Jesus Christ do? I have seen Him be the Light that has come down into my darkness. I have seen Him draw me towards the Kingdom of God.

What have you heard the Lord Jesus Christ say? I have heard Him say I will never leave you nor forsake you.

 

[just-me]

“Consider how I love thy precepts: quicken me, O Lord, according to thy lovingkindness.” (Psalm 119:159) Love is reciprocal giving and sharing that is based on being true to the Word of God, and “Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.” (Psalm 119:165). Peace is established by love because love is the action of doing what is right, set apart, just and good.
"Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good." Romans 7:12

 

[sparkman]

This is a typical Hebrew Roots assertion. It is not true. The Old Covenant was completely abolished and the New Covenant applies to believers.

It seems as if you guys try to say this over and over until you convince others of it. Not going to work. We can read Galatians

The New Testament is called the Brit Chadasha that literally means, a “making new” of the covenant of love that God had formerly established between Himself and His people. Although there is a change of the priesthood in the renewed covenant, God's Word and commandments remain eternal, love has never changed, and if anything love has been magnified.

“ Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.” (Matthew 5:27-28 and Matthew 24:12)

Therefore, as the commandments grow within the heart, true love will always grow. Love, therefore, is a voluntary and personal choice to do the right thing and keep the commandments.

Joshua teaches that loving God means “to do the commandment and the law, which Moses the servant of the Lord charged you, to love the Lord your God, and to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and to cleave unto him, and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 22:5 and Joshua 24:15)

To love God means to keep His commandments. There is no other substitute a person can make to demonstrate their love to God Almighty or to each other, because true love is righteous, it is “Set Apart” and does good towards God and all of His creation. We are to become as “little children” who can put trust in Messiah and simply do what He asks, rather than be rebellious and find religious loopholes that make us feel better about breaking the commandments.

 

[just-me]

This is a typical Hebrew Roots assertion. It is not true. The Old Covenant was completely abolished and the New Covenant applies to believers.

It seems as if you guys try to say this over and over until you convince others of it. Not going to work. We can read Galatians

What are you scared of? It's only your preconceived thoughts manifesting themselves. Nothing I have said, that you have made accusations against, are against the truth written in the Bible. I'm not affiliated with such things as the "Hebrew Roots Movement." Explain to me what they, or who they are. I don't know anything about them. I have been a Baptist during most of my walk with the Word of God through Christ Jesus. What's the real problem in telling the truth about what the Bible says about loving God and your neighbor as yourself?

 

[sparkman]

Here's a thread on the Hebrew Roots movement:

http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/114698-hebrew-roots-movement.html

With regards to you, if you aren't asserting that Old Covenant elements such as Sabbath, festivals, and clean/unclean meat laws apply to New Covenant Christians, I apologize. There are groups such as Hebrew Roots, Armstrongites, and others who are doing this on the forum.

What are you scared of? It's only your preconceived thoughts manifesting themselves. Nothing I have said, that you have made accusations against, are against the truth written in the Bible. I'm not affiliated with such things as the "Hebrew Roots Movement." Explain to me what they, or who they are. I don't know anything about them. I have been a Baptist during most of my walk with the Word of God through Christ Jesus. What's the real problem in telling the truth about what the Bible says about loving God and your neighbor as yourself?