Hard to follow...or not?

[missjenny]

Hi HIS girl and everyone! I'm not sure if you glanced at my reply at about 8pm or so....but I wanted to add that God won't get in the way of our will....so, if we are still 'trying' then He'll let us. He won't push you aside and make you do something. So, if you are still trying to love, then you are not letting Him love in and thru you. 'Try' means that there is a part of you (and me that is not trusting God to do it. The fruits of the Spirit can only be activated Spiritually......so, because the Holy Spirit is always ready and waiting, it is US that need to literally stop trying by faith...then by faith put your focus/set your mind on Christ. When we are in the midst of trying, we are going out and, well....think about what you are doing when you are trying. You are trying so hard to hit the target....so you are watching the target really closely. You watch the targets response to see how good your aim was, and if it didn't seem to hit the bulls-eye, then you try even harder, then it ends up where you are putting your focus back on yourself and either trying again and again, or giving up. The flesh's loving depends on the responses of the target and how good you are at aiming. It is all a matter of currcumstancial effort...it's dependant on if and how well you hit the target.

However, when the Holy Spirit is in control, the archer aims the arrow and lets the arrow go....and then after has put the outcome in the hands of God. This kind of archery is joyful, because the archer is enjoying the activity because the outcome is in someone elses hands WHO IS very capable of taking care of the target! So, therefore, the archer lets go of the arrow by faith. Having deliberate intention/faith on your part, each day to draw the arrow, aim and shoot, is all God is asking. Then as time passes, it becomes such a joy, that each day, you'll be living this way naturally.

Bless you all....

[Fez]

usually i accept those whom i don't know, but those that i have gotten to know, i dislike because they are lazy, or they have a bad language. Also, the main reason why i don't like people is becasue they are very immature about things.

I get where you are coming from. And I say this in love.

Sometimes what gets in our way is our own pride. We may not even be aware that it is, but if we have a long hard look at ourselves, pride is often the problem. It was with me. And where we have to be careful, once we understand the pride thing, is not to swing in 180 degrees to become a doormat, or to think we are unworthy. It happened to me, and the other side of the fence was a lot less greener than I would have thought.

I have worked on this because sometimes saying "I am unworthy", is also a pride thing.

What we have to do is understand, really understand, is what living under His Grace actually means. Once we understand Grace the rest falls into place.

Blessings

[Dak]

Is this the hardest commandment of all for Christians to follow?

Yeshua said "I am giving you a new commandment; that you keep on loving each other. In the same way that I have loved you, you are also to keep on loving each other. Everyone will know that you are my talmidim by the fact that you have love for each other." CJB..Yochanan 13 vv 34, 35

Do we actively try hard to follow it? Can we say honestly that just from our behaviour, others know we are adherents to the Way?

It was difficult, but not anymore.

As we become closer and closer to Jesus, our heart also becomes more and more like his heart, and so the more we find in ourselves love for our neighbors -- and even love for our enemies.

Jesus loves the world unconditionally, and we too as his followers must love the world unconditionally -- both our friends and our enemies, but not in our strength, but through the strength that God gives us.

[Guest shiloh357]

I do have a CJB, it a good Bible but I still love my KJV, and after that the Amplified Version. I use other version but some would call me a KJVO, most would probably call me a KJVP.

I enjoy the KJV, NJKV, NASB, NIV, ESV and the CJB just to name a few. Its the same with sandwiches. I like BLTs. Some would call me a BLTO, but really just a BLTP. I was enjoying a BLT just the other day, while I was attempting to memorize my POV's VIN, which is harder than memorizing your SSN or bank PIN. But I digress. I also like PBJs. They are easy to make and are good AM or PM. PBJOW are tops.

TGIF!!. Treat your KJV with TLC. Remember to PUSH because FROG.

[Guest HIS girl]

Is this the hardest commandment of all for Christians to follow?

Yeshua said "I am giving you a new commandment; that you keep on loving each other. In the same way that I have loved you, you are also to keep on loving each other. Everyone will know that you are my talmidim by the fact that you have love for each other." CJB..Yochanan 13 vv 34, 35

Do we actively try hard to follow it? Can we say honestly that just from our behaviour, others know we are adherents to the Way?

It was difficult, but not anymore.

As we become closer and closer to Jesus, our heart also becomes more and more like his heart, and so the more we find in ourselves love for our neighbors -- and even love for our enemies.

Jesus loves the world unconditionally, and we too as his followers must love the world unconditionally -- both our friends and our enemies, but not in our strength, but through the strength that God gives us.

DP - thanks for your response - and yes you are right but the thing is it can take a lifetime to fulfill what you just said....it sounds good on paper....but is it ok to help zillions of people and serve in various positions at church but refuse to talk to some folks or even sit next to some folks (especially in church) because of whatever the case may be to you?

It really is a major key to turn with this commandment - a Spiritual unlocking of truth in its purest form - to have love for another - even love for someone you wouldn't normally look at, let alone speak to....it's a big calling and I can understand why Jesus said "by this others will know you are my disciples.".......

[Guest shiloh357]

Is this the hardest commandment of all for Christians to follow?

Yeshua said "I am giving you a new commandment; that you keep on loving each other. In the same way that I have loved you, you are also to keep on loving each other. Everyone will know that you are my talmidim by the fact that you have love for each other." CJB..Yochanan 13 vv 34, 35

Do we actively try hard to follow it? Can we say honestly that just from our behaviour, others know we are adherents to the Way?

It also says in John 13 v 1: Now before the Feast of the Passover when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. NKJV

He loved them to the end...hmmm

I am beginning to realise more and more that this commandment alone, is simply one of THE most important of all the Bible -

It is more important than going to Church every Sunday, tithing every payday, helping friends and family out and even serving in the Church....

It is love for fellow man - whether known to you or not - to see good befall a person and not evil.

No wonder it says in the Bible that it is easier to love those who love us back...(not word for word translation but the gist is there )

The Lord has been nudging me more and more toward these verses John 13 v34,35 on a daily basis and it's extremely hard..in my own flesh...I can only do it with the strength of the One who IS Love.

I have many people in my life who I view as hard to love...I am working on it though ....

Part of the problem is in understanding what biblical "love" is. In the Bible, love is not emotional. I is entirely operative in nature. Love is always doing. It is not a feeling. It is not based on liking or disliking others. Because biblical love is not based on emtion, it is not fickle, or preferential. It actually requires a surrending of our basic will and emotional/personality make-up, which IS fickle and preferential. Biblical love cannot be manufactured by human nature. It must come through us by the Holy Spirit. Sadly, we are poor conduits more often than not.

[Guest HIS girl]

I do have a CJB, it a good Bible but I still love my KJV, and after that the Amplified Version. I use other version but some would call me a KJVO, most would probably call me a KJVP.

I enjoy the KJV, NJKV, NASB, NIV, ESV and the CJB just to name a few. Its the same with sandwiches. I like BLTs. Some would call me a BLTO, but really just a BLTP. I was enjoying a BLT just the other day, while I was attempting to memorize my POV's VIN, which is harder than memorizing your SSN or bank PIN. But I digress. I also like PBJs. They are easy to make and are good AM or PM. PBJOW are tops.

TGIF!!. Treat your KJV with TLC. Remember to PUSH because FROG.

.....someone please hide that remote control.........

[Guest HIS girl]

Is this the hardest commandment of all for Christians to follow?

Yeshua said "I am giving you a new commandment; that you keep on loving each other. In the same way that I have loved you, you are also to keep on loving each other. Everyone will know that you are my talmidim by the fact that you have love for each other." CJB..Yochanan 13 vv 34, 35

Do we actively try hard to follow it? Can we say honestly that just from our behaviour, others know we are adherents to the Way?

It also says in John 13 v 1: Now before the Feast of the Passover when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. NKJV

He loved them to the end...hmmm

I am beginning to realise more and more that this commandment alone, is simply one of THE most important of all the Bible -

It is more important than going to Church every Sunday, tithing every payday, helping friends and family out and even serving in the Church....

It is love for fellow man - whether known to you or not - to see good befall a person and not evil.

No wonder it says in the Bible that it is easier to love those who love us back...(not word for word translation but the gist is there )

The Lord has been nudging me more and more toward these verses John 13 v34,35 on a daily basis and it's extremely hard..in my own flesh...I can only do it with the strength of the One who IS Love.

I have many people in my life who I view as hard to love...I am working on it though ....

Part of the problem is in understanding what biblical "love" is. In the Bible, love is not emotional. I is entirely operative in nature. Love is always doing. It is not a feeling. It is not based on liking or disliking others. Because biblical love is not based on emtion, it is not fickle, or preferential. It actually requires a surrending of our basic will and emotional/personality make-up, which IS fickle and preferential. Biblical love cannot be manufactured by human nature. It must come through us by the Holy Spirit. Sadly, we are poor conduits more often than not.

That is so true....(in blue).

[missjenny]

Hi HIS girl and everyone! I'm not sure if you glanced at my reply at about 8pm or so....but I wanted to add that God won't get in the way of our will....so, if we are still 'trying' then He'll let us. He won't push you aside and make you do something. So, if you are still trying to love, then you are not letting Him love in and thru you. 'Try' means that there is a part of you (and me that is not trusting God to do it. The fruits of the Spirit can only be activated Spiritually......so, because the Holy Spirit is always ready and waiting, it is US that need to literally stop trying by faith...then by faith put your focus/set your mind on Christ. When we are in the midst of trying, we are going out and, well....think about what you are doing when you are trying. You are trying so hard to hit the target....so you are watching the target really closely. You watch the targets response to see how good your aim was, and if it didn't seem to hit the bulls-eye, then you try even harder, then it ends up where you are putting your focus back on yourself and either trying again and again, or giving up. The flesh's loving depends on the responses of the target and how good you are at aiming. It is all a matter of circumstancial effort...it's dependant on if and how well you hit the target, and how the target takes it.

However, when the Holy Spirit is in control, the archer aims the arrow and lets the arrow go....and then after has put the outcome in the hands of God. This kind of archery is joyful, because the archer is enjoying the activity because the outcome is in someone elses hands WHO IS very capable of taking care of the target! So, therefore, the archer lets go of the arrow by faith. Having deliberate intention/faith on your part, each day to draw the arrow, aim and shoot, is all God is asking. Then as time passes, it becomes such a joy, that each day, you'll be living this way naturally.

Bless you all....

Hey, did you guys think my allogory was kinda silly?? I think it was kinda imaginative if I do say so myself.

Edited June 4, 2010 by missjenny

[Guest HIS girl]

Hi HIS girl and everyone! I'm not sure if you glanced at my reply at about 8pm or so....but I wanted to add that God won't get in the way of our will....so, if we are still 'trying' then He'll let us. He won't push you aside and make you do something. So, if you are still trying to love, then you are not letting Him love in and thru you. 'Try' means that there is a part of you (and me that is not trusting God to do it. The fruits of the Spirit can only be activated Spiritually......so, because the Holy Spirit is always ready and waiting, it is US that need to literally stop trying by faith...then by faith put your focus/set your mind on Christ. When we are in the midst of trying, we are going out and, well....think about what you are doing when you are trying. You are trying so hard to hit the target....so you are watching the target really closely. You watch the targets response to see how good your aim was, and if it didn't seem to hit the bulls-eye, then you try even harder, then it ends up where you are putting your focus back on yourself and either trying again and again, or giving up. The flesh's loving depends on the responses of the target and how good you are at aiming. It is all a matter of circumstancial effort...it's dependant on if and how well you hit the target, and how the target takes it.

However, when the Holy Spirit is in control, the archer aims the arrow and lets the arrow go....and then after has put the outcome in the hands of God. This kind of archery is joyful, because the archer is enjoying the activity because the outcome is in someone elses hands WHO IS very capable of taking care of the target! So, therefore, the archer lets go of the arrow by faith. Having deliberate intention/faith on your part, each day to draw the arrow, aim and shoot, is all God is asking. Then as time passes, it becomes such a joy, that each day, you'll be living this way naturally.

Bless you all....

Hey, did you guys think my allogory was kinda silly?? I think it was kinda imaginative if I do say so myself.

It does sound nice in theory MJ - however (and not to burst your bubble ) - I have met spirit filled Christians too who lack when it comes to loving others...doesn't sound right does it? but it happens...that is why mentioned earlier that it is a hard commandment and it's a deep subject...many Christian folk know that the HS is prompting them but don't follow through with the promptings or don't have the faith that it is the HS prompting them in the first place...the reason being maybe is when the HS is prompting one to do something so radical and out there that you couldn't believe it could be the HS......but yet it is.

The flesh likes same old same old and comfort, familiarity...the HS really is out there and makes one "live on the edge" at times....it can be daunting but when one has obeyed, the confirmation that it was the HS's leading is outstanding and draws one closer to God !