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The Bible tells us God is love, preachers say God is love, so....

Q. Is God love?
A. Yes God is love. (1 Jn 4:16)  but one can carry this to far.

   There are a number of kinds of love. In the Greek they had three main types of love. One had to do with love of the flesh, in a sexual sense, and is where we get the word erotic from. This word really wasn't used in the Bible, as this form of love is a empty hollow emotion. Sex with out true love (in marriage)  leaves the person wanting. Next is the love between brothers, very close friends, most families. This is Phileo. This is where Philadelphia gets it's name (city of brotherly love). This kind of love can be very strong and is what most people have in their best relationships. But there is one kind of love that is above all and in Greek it was called...

    Agapao.  This is a love that puts the other above yourself. This is a love that will have you lay your life down for someone (Jn 15:13) . This is the love that God had for us when he had Jesus die for us (Jn. 3:16)  Just think men, God calls us to love your our wives, even as Christ loved the Church (Eph 5:25).It is the love that is God like. This is the love Paul talks about as one of the fruits of the Spirit, along with joy, peace, longsuffering...(Gal 5:22). The Bible says that the reason we can love God is because he loved us first . It is doubtful that man can truly love like this, without the love of God in us, by way of the Spirit. Sad to say most of the world never does get to know this love.

    Take a look at Peter in John 21:15-17. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loved him. The first two times Jesus asks him, Peter, do you Phileo me ? Peter answers "yes Lord; You know I Phileo you. The Lord then asks a third time but this time he asks Do you a Agapao Me ? This time it grieved Peter and he answered, Lord you know all things; You know I Phileo You.  Some things are lost in the English translations. But Jesus didn't call him out for this, for a third time he told Peter to tend his sheep. And by the way, when Peters life came to a end (Jn 21:18), I would say that he did finally Agapao the Lord.

    In the OT the Hebrew word hesedh is used at times. His hesedh is rooted in his grace (Gen 19:19) It put together love, care, duty, commitment, and truth. It was a kindness done with love or love done with kindness. The number of times God's love for us is mentioned is far to many times to go over in this format.

    The Apostles understood this, as did the early fathers of the Church. But in time men started to take Scripture out of content. Absolute power corrupts absolutely as the saying goes. Over years the average person no longer spoke the languages that the Bible was written in. Add this to the fact that there was no mass printing, so copies of the Bible were hard to come by, add you have the recipe for abuse. People started to look to church leaders as divine and sinless. With people thinking (wrongly) that these men had power over the final destinations of their soul, the corruption of many church teachings went out of control.  With time God was portrayed as some aloof old man that looked down on men with contempt, just waiting to step on us like a bug. Mary was raised up as the interceder for man, and the church was the only way to contact her. To save your soul, man had to do what the church deemed necessary. Deeds and acts (works), or money for the church just happen to be the ticket. The love and favor of God (and Salvation) was a item that could be bought and sold, much like the money changers of the temple (Mt 21:12, Lk 19:45).

    With time men became more enlighten (?) and started to question this idea of God. Sadly many men didn't look to God for the truth, but looked to themselves and nature for the answers. Freund, Darwin, Nietzsche, and many others started to take God's place. At best God was relegated to a cold abstract power, that may have had a hand in the start of mankind, but was just sitting in the background, either with no, or little interest in the lives of his creation. Many just taught (and still do) that God was dead.  The church started to loose control. Mind you a true "Church" was always there in some form, but it was in constant persecution (and still is) from the world and the false church.

    Then word got out that God does love us, Salvation could be had by the average Joe. People started to listen, a new form of a church started to take hold. But leave it to men to go to the abyss. Like medicine, if a little is good then a whole bunch more is better. And what about that whole idea of sin and hell, it's such a downer. No problem, just ignore it! So enter the new age church that has exploded across the world today. God is love, love, love. The new god of these people is a all powerful Santa Clause, a clearing house of gifts. One televangelist told his audience that if they wanted a new car, just ask and remember to include the color. The promises to the Jews were transferred to this church but the penalties stayed with the Jews. If a hell does exist it's for the Hitler's and Stalin's of the world. If God isn't listening then find passages, like the prayer of Jabez, take them out of content and force Gods hand.

    The gift of Grace has been taken to the extreme and has become license. The more we sin, the more Grace abounds is the attitude today. This isn't new, Paul spoke of this (Rm 6:1). Has this worked for the churches, sad to say...yes. This false church is growing by leaps and bounds. People are flocking to these churches, and the money is flowing. Whatever you do don't mention, or at least down play, sin. Just love, love, love. People show up on Sunday, get a feel good sermon, and reenter the world to live their lives like they always have. These churches many times call themselves seeker friendly, purpose driven, and new age.

    Now that being said one must remember that not only is God love, he is also Holy. God doesn't, and hasn't changed. God is the same today as He was yesterday, and will be tomorrow. The things that God hated before (yes there are things God hates) He still hates. In his love he gave us salvation by the blood of Jesus. Hell is real, sin has to be atoned for, and time is running short. God is long suffering and patience, but He is also no fool. No matter how long it takes for the return of Christ, be it one day or one thousand, the time for Salvation is today, and it's in your hand. God does love man more then we could ever imagine, and for this reason our sins have been paid for, but it's a gift that must be accepted by us. Sad to say the churches today are full of unsaved people, and sad to say their leaders are loving them straight to hell. Don't be one of them, make today the day you receive this gift of God's ultimate love. Find out what real salvation is, and please do it today. It's free and for everyone, there is no one that is to sinful, to lost, or to wicked. Nothing you have done, will do, or has been done to you, excludes you from this gift. Yes God is love, and does love you, no matter what the world thinks of you, and He is waiting.

Last modified: 12/15/07

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Proverb:30:4: Who hath ascended up into heaven, or descended? who hath gathered the wind in His fists? who hath bound the waters in a garment? who hath established all the ends of the earth? what is His name, and what is His Son's name, if thou canst tell?

Proverb:30:5: Every Word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Proverb:30:6: Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

Re:22:18: For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
Re:22:19: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
Re:22:20: He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Re:22:21: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

 

 

 

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