Neighbor Posted September 24, 2017 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 18 Topic Count: 951 Topics Per Day: 0.35 Content Count: 13,561 Content Per Day: 5.03 Reputation: 9,041 Days Won: 6 Joined: 12/04/2016 Status: Offline Birthday: 03/03/1885 Share Posted September 24, 2017 (edited) This morning at worship service our senior pastor completed a presentation that was made over the summer using some thirteen separate Sunday mornings to do so. I was especially struck with this day's conclusion, 15 points on love. It boiled down for me to LOVE ENDURES, and the idea that God's love causes the Christian's love to endure for others regardless of happenings in life. We are to be ever patient in our love. Examples from the Bible were given in numerous detail that I won't repeat in this opening post. BUT; I do want to say I am concerned about the question of; what love is there when a Christian denies a friend, a relative, a neighbor, because they don't hold to proper doctrine. There is proper church discipline, but when a Christian takes the stance that they will reject a friend or family member because the friend or member has gone to a new doctrine, is that the love we are to extend? Is it the faith in the sovereignty of God that we know? Or is it merely our own shortcoming being exposed- that the trust in God is not really there, and that God must be helped by our own rather arrogant attitude towards a person that is different from ourselves? I am personally more favorably impressed by the father of the prodigal child's welcoming of his son than I am by any pushing away of a friend or relative by stiffnecked pious minded individuals when they perceive a doctrine is violated in their eyes. I sure desire to avoid that snare myself. I have been really struck by that today. Love is patient. Do I have patience? I pray that I do, I ask of God for more of it in all circumstance. Edited September 24, 2017 by Neighbor 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyn C Posted September 24, 2017 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 30 Topic Count: 266 Topics Per Day: 0.07 Content Count: 13,197 Content Per Day: 3.49 Reputation: 8,495 Days Won: 12 Joined: 12/21/2013 Status: Offline Birthday: 10/06/1947 Share Posted September 24, 2017 1 hour ago, Neighbor said: I do want to say I am concerned about the question of; what love is there when a Christian denies a friend, a relative, a neighbor, because they don't hold to proper doctrine. I have been really struck by that today. Love is patient. Do I have patience? I pray that I do, I ask of God for more of it in all circumstance. Hi Neighbor, Yes that certainly is not love. Often that attitude us because of fear, and pride. And really it shuts out the one having that attitude for - `...though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have NOT LOVE, I AM NOTHING.` (1 Cor. 13: 2) Very, very, very, sobering words indeed - `I am nothing.` I am very passionate concerning doctrine but am very mindful that unless I am walking daily with the Holy Spirit, then my attitudes can be of self. Blessings, bro, and a very timely topic. Marilyn. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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