12/5/22

The past, present and future by Gary Rose

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeWEkxgncnA

HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN | Bass Singer Cover | Geoff Castellucci

Note: to see an original performance of the Animals for this song on the Ed Sullivan show

 ( 1964 ), go to:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxrz00XSOAo


Recently, I discovered Geoff Castellucci. When I heard him sing for the first time, I thought of Tennessee Ernie Ford, but Geoff has a much LOWER vocal range. His rendition of “House of the rising sun” is far different than that of the “Animals” and I am torn between which I genuinely prefer. I must say that it is easier to follow the words better with Geoff’s performance and therefore think more about their meaning.


The “House of the rising sun” tells a story of a man whose life was deeply engrossed in sin, but is about to change because of love.


I wonder, how many of us have ever reflected on our lives as a whole. Have we ever really thought about what the true value of our existence has been? Was the value something we are proud of or a cause of shame?


By chance, I just happened to read the following passage from the book of Galatians today and couldn’t help but see a parallel between the song and Paul’s comments...


Galatians 1 ( World English Bible )

1 Paul, an apostle (not from men, neither through man, but through Jesus Christ, and God the Father, who raised him from the dead),

2 and all the brothers who are with me, to the assemblies of Galatia:

3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ,

4 who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father—

5 to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

6 I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ to a different “good news”;

7 and there isn’t another “good news.” Only there are some who trouble you, and want to pervert the Good News of Christ.

8 But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you any “good news” other than that which we preached to you, let him be cursed.

9 As we have said before, so I now say again: if any man preaches to you any “good news” other than that which you received, let him be cursed.

10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? For if I were still pleasing men, I wouldn’t be a servant of Christ.

11 But I make known to you, brothers, concerning the Good News which was preached by me, that it is not according to man.

12 For neither did I receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came to me through revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my way of living in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the assembly of God, and ravaged it.

14 I advanced in the Jews’ religion beyond many of my own age among my countrymen, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me through his grace,

16 to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I didn’t immediately confer with flesh and blood,

17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia. Then I returned to Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days.

19 But of the other apostles I saw no one, except James, the Lord’s brother.

20 Now about the things which I write to you, behold, before God, I’m not lying.

21 Then I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.

22 I was still unknown by face to the assemblies of Judea which were in Christ,

23 but they only heard: “He who once persecuted us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.”

24 And they glorified God in me.



It has been over 50 years since I first heard the “House of the rising sun” and back then I could not have even imagined my existence today. But, I am glad I chose to follow Jesus and do the best I can to spread His “Good News”. Tell me, what is your life like? Are you happy with what you have done with it? If not, then, change it for the better. If you can read these words then you have the possibility of obeying the Gospel of Jesus Christ and if you do, enjoy an endless blessing in HEAVEN. If not, well, then there is always the life of a gambler or some other sinful pursuit. That sort of life is destructive and unfruitful, but the choice is yours; I hope you chose Jesus; HE ALONE will give you rest. Remember, the PAST is finished, TODAY is another opportunity and The FUTURE is only a choice away; CHOOSE WISELY.


May God bless,

Gary

 

note: 

Due to space limitations of blogger, I was unable to include the video(s) from Youtube. In order to view the complete video (s), use the links provided at the top.

Greek Words for Love in the New Testament by Roy Davison

 

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/NTWordsForLove.html

Greek Words for Love in the New Testament

[1] = ἀγαπάω (agapaō), to love. - [2] = ἀγάπη (agapē), love. - [3] = φιλέω (phileō), to love; to kiss. - [4] = φίλος (philos), friend. - [5] = φιλία (philia), friendship, love. - [6] = φιλαδελφία (philadelphia), brotherly love. - [7] = φιλάδελφος (philadelphos), one having brotherly love. - [8] = φιλόστοργος (philostorgos), friendly affection. - [9] = φίλανδρος (philandros), love for one's husband. - [10] = φιλότεκνος (philoteknos), love for one's children. - [11] = φιλανθρωπία (philanthrōpia), love for mankind, (loving) kindness. - [12] = φιλόθεος (philotheos), one who loves God.


Matthew 5:43 [1]
You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.'
Matthew 5:44 [1]
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
Matthew 5:46 [1]
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
Matthew 6:5 [3]
And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward.
Matthew 6:24 [1]
No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Matthew 10:37 [3]
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
Matthew 11:19 [4]
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!' But wisdom is justified by her children.
Matthew 19:19 [1]
“'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'”
Matthew 22:37 [1]
Jesus said to him, 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.'
Matthew 22:39 [1]
And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
Matthew 23:6 [3]
They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues,
Matthew 24:12 [2]
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
Matthew 26:48 [3]
Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.”
Mark 10:21 [1]
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
Mark 12:30 [1]
And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.' This is the first commandment.
Mark 12:31 [1]
And the second, like it, is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.
Mark 12:33 [1]
And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.
Mark 14:44 [3]
Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.”
Luke 6:27 [1]
But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Luke 6:32 [1]
But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
Luke 6:35 [1]
But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.
Luke 7:5 [1]
for he loves our nation, and has built us a synagogue.
Luke 7:6 [4]
Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof.”
Luke 7:34 [4]
The Son of Man has come eating and drinking, and you say, 'Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!'
Luke 7:42 [1]
And when they had nothing with which to repay, he freely forgave them both. Tell Me, therefore, which of them will love him more?
Luke 7:47 [1]
Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.
Luke 10:27 [1]
So he answered and said, “'You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,' and 'your neighbor as yourself.'”
Luke 11:5 [4]
And He said to them, “Which of you shall have a friend, and go to him at midnight and say to him, 'Friend, lend me three loaves;'”
Luke 11:6 [4]
for a friend of mine has come to me on his journey, and I have nothing to set before him;
Luke 11:8 [4]
I say to you, though he will not rise and give to him because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he will rise and give him as many as he needs.
Luke 11:42 [2]
But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.
Luke 11:43 [1]
Woe to you Pharisees! For you love the best seats in the synagogues and greetings in the marketplaces.
Luke 12:4 [4]
And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.
Luke 14:10 [4]
But when you are invited, go and sit down in the lowest place, so that when he who invited you comes he may say to you, 'Friend, go up higher.' Then you will have glory in the presence of those who sit at the table with you.
Luke 14:12 [4]
Then He also said to him who invited Him, “When you give a dinner or a supper, do not ask your friends, your brothers, your relatives, nor rich neighbors, lest they also invite you back, and you be repaid.”
Luke 15:6 [4]
And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'
Luke 15:9 [4]
And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!'
Luke 15:29 [4]
So he answered and said to his father, 'Lo, these many years I have been serving you; I never transgressed your commandment at any time; and yet you never gave me a young goat, that I might make merry with my friends.
Luke 16:9 [4]
“And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home.
Luke 16:13 [1]
“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”
Luke 20:46 [3]
“Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,
Luke 21:16 [4]
You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death.
Luke 22:47 [3]
And while He was still speaking, behold, a multitude; and he who was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them and drew near to Jesus to kiss Him.
Luke 23:12 [4]
That very day Pilate and Herod became friends with each other, for previously they had been at enmity with each other.
John 3:16 [1]
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:19 [1]
And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
John 3:29 [4]
He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled.
John 3:35 [1]
The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.
John 5:20 [3]
For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.
John 5:42 [2]
But I know you, that you do not have the love of God in you.
John 8:42 [1]
Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
John 10:17 [1]
“Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.
John 11:3 [3]
Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”
John 11:5 [1]
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus.
John 11:11 [4]
These things He said, and after that He said to them, “Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.”
John 11:36 [3]
Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”
John 12:25 [3]
He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.
John 12:43 [1]
for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.
John 13:1 [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.
John 13:23 [1]
Now there was leaning on Jesus' bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
John 13:34 [1]
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
John 13:35 [2]
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 14:15 [1]
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.
John 14:21 [1]
He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
John 14:23 [1]
Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
John 14:24 [1]
He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.
John 14:28 [1]
You have heard Me say to you, 'I am going away and coming back to you.' If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, 'I am going to the Father,' for My Father is greater than I.
John 14:31 [1]
But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do. Arise, let us go from here.
John 15:9 [1] [2]
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
John 15:10 [2]
If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
John 15:12 [1]
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:13 [2] [4]
Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.
John 15:14 [4]
You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
John 15:15 [4]
No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
John 15:17 [1]
These things I command you, that you love one another.
John 15:19 [3]
If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
John 16:27 [3]
for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God.
John 17:23 [1]
I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.
John 17:24 [1]
“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
John 17:26 [1] [2]
And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.”
John 19:12 [4]
From then on Pilate sought to release Him, but the Jews cried out, saying, “If you let this Man go, you are not Caesar's friend. Whoever makes himself a king speaks against Caesar.”
John 19:26 [1]
When Jesus therefore saw His mother, and the disciple whom He loved standing by, He said to His mother, “Woman, behold your son!”
John 20:2 [3]
Then she ran and came to Simon Peter, and to the other disciple, whom Jesus loved, and said to them, “They have taken away the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid Him.”
John 21:7 [1]
Therefore that disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” Now when Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he put on his outer garment (for he had removed it), and plunged into the sea.
John 21:15 [1] [3]
So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
John 21:16 [1] [3]
He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.” He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
John 21:17 [3]
He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?” And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.” Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.
John 21:20 [1]
Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?”
Acts 10:24 [4]
And the following day they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his relatives and close friends.
Acts 19:31 [4]
Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.
Acts 27:3 [4]
And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care.
Acts 28:2 [11]
And the natives showed us unusual kindness.
Romans 5:5 [2]
Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Romans 5:8 [2]
But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 8:28 [1]
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:35 [2]
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
Romans 8:37 [1]
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Romans 8:39 [2]
nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 9:13 [1]
As it is written, “Jacob I have loved, but Esau I have hated.”
Romans 9:25 [1]
As He says also in Hosea: “I will call them My people, who were not My people, And her beloved, who was not beloved.”
Romans 12:9 [2]
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.
Romans 12:10 [6] [8]
Be [8] kindly affectionate to one another with [6] brotherly love
Romans 13:8 [1]
Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.
Romans 13:9 [1]
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Romans 13:10 [2]
Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Romans 14:15 [2]
Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died.
Romans 15:30 [2]
Now I beg you, brethren, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and through the love of the Spirit, that you strive together with me in prayers to God for me,
1 Corinthians 2:9 [1]
But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”
1 Corinthians 4:21 [2]
What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
1 Corinthians 8:1 [2]
Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies.
1 Corinthians 8:3 [1]
But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him.
1 Corinthians 13:1 [2]
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
1 Corinthians 13:2 [2]
And 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 Corinthians 13:3 [2]
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:4 [2]
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up;
1 Corinthians 13:8 [2]
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away.
1 Corinthians 13:13 [2]
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
1 Corinthians 14:1 [2]
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
1 Corinthians 16:14 [2]
Let all that you do be done with love.
1 Corinthians 16:22 [3]
If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!
1 Corinthians 16:24 [2]
My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.
2 Corinthians 2:4 [2]
For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you.
2 Corinthians 2:8 [2]
Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him.
2 Corinthians 5:14 [2]
For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died;
2 Corinthians 6:6 [2]
by purity, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Spirit, by sincere love,
2 Corinthians 8:7 [2]
But as you abound in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us - see that you abound in this grace also.
2 Corinthians 8:8 [2]
I speak not by commandment, but I am testing the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others.
2 Corinthians 8:24 [2]
Therefore show to them, and before the churches the proof of your love and of our boasting on your behalf.
2 Corinthians 9:7 [1]
So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.
2 Corinthians 11:11 [1]
Why? Because I do not love you? God knows!
2 Corinthians 12:15 [1]
And I will very gladly spend and be spent for your souls; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I am loved.
2 Corinthians 13:11 [2]
Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
2 Corinthians 13:14 (13) [2]
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.
Galatians 2:20 [1]
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 5:6 [2]
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.
Galatians 5:13 [2]
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:14 [1]
For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:22 [2]
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
Ephesians 1:4 [2]
just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,
Ephesians 1:6 [1]
to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved.
Ephesians 1:15 [2]
Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints,
Ephesians 2:4 [1] [2]
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
Ephesians 3:17 [2]
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love,
Ephesians 3:19 [2]
to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 4:2 [2]
with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love,
Ephesians 4:15 [2]
but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head - Christ -
Ephesians 4:16 [2]
from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
Ephesians 5:2 [1] [2]
And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
Ephesians 5:25 [1]
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,
Ephesians 5:28 [1]
So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.
Ephesians 5:33 [1]
Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Ephesians 6:23 [2]
Peace to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 6:24 [1]
Grace be with all those who love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Philippians 1:9 [2]
And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment,
Philippians 1:17 (16) [2]
but the latter [preach Christ] out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel.
Philippians 2:1 [2]
Therefore if there is any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and mercy,
Philippians 2:2 [2]
fulfill my joy by being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Colossians 1:4 [2]
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints;
Colossians 1:8 [2]
who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.
Colossians 1:13 [2]
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,
Colossians 2:2 [2]
that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, both of the Father and of Christ,
Colossians 3:12 [1]
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;
Colossians 3:14 [2]
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
Colossians 3:19 [1]
Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
1 Thessalonians 1:3 [2]
remembering without ceasing your work of faith, labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of our God and Father,
1 Thessalonians 1:4 [1]
knowing, beloved brethren, your election by God.
1 Thessalonians 3:6 [2]
But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you -
1 Thessalonians 3:12 [2]
And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you,
1 Thessalonians 4:9 [1] [6]
But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another;
1 Thessalonians 5:8 [2]
But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.
1 Thessalonians 5:13 [2]
and to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves.
2 Thessalonians 1:3 [2]
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other,
2 Thessalonians 2:10 [2]
and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 [1]
But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,
2 Thessalonians 2:16 [1]
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation and good hope by grace,
2 Thessalonians 3:5 [2]
Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ.
1 Timothy 1:5 [2]
Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,
1 Timothy 1:14 [2]
And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 2:15 [2]
Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
1 Timothy 4:12 [2]
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 6:11 [2]
But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
2 Timothy 1:7 [2]
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:13 [2]
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
2 Timothy 2:22 [2]
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Timothy 3:4 [12]
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God
2 Timothy 3:10 [2]
But you have carefully followed my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, perseverance,
2 Timothy 4:8 [1]
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
2 Timothy 4:10 [1]
for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica - Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.
Titus 2:2 [2]
that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;
Titus 2:4 [9] [10]
that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children
Titus 3:4 [11]
But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared [love ... toward man]
Titus 3:15 [3]
All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Philemon 5 [2]
hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints,
Philemon 7 [2]
For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
Philemon 9 [2]
yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you - being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ -
Hebrews 1:9 [1]
You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; Therefore God, Your God, has anointed You With the oil of gladness more than Your companions.”
Hebrews 6:10 [2]
For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.
Hebrews 10:24 [2]
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
Hebrews 12:6 [1]
For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.”
Hebrews 13:1 [6]
Let brotherly love continue.
James 1:12 [1]
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
James 2:5 [1]
Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him?
James 2:8 [1]
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;
James 2:23 [4]
And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God.
James 4:4 [4] [5]
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that [5] friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
1 Peter 1:8 [1]
whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory,
1 Peter 1:22 [1] [6]
Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere [6] love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
1 Peter 2:17 [1]
Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.
1 Peter 3:8 [7]
having compassion for one another, love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous
1 Peter 3:10 [1]
For “He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil, And his lips from speaking deceit.
1 Peter 4:8 [2]
And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 5:14 [2]
Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
2 Peter 1:7 [2] [6]
to godliness [6] brotherly kindness, and to [6] brotherly kindness love.
2 Peter 2:15 [1]
They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
1 John 2:5 [2]
But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.
1 John 2:10 [1]
He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
1 John 2:15 [1] [2]
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 3:1 [2]
Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
1 John 3:10 [1]
In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother.
1 John 3:11 [1]
For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,
1 John 3:14 [1]
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death.
1 John 3:16 [2]
By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1 John 3:17 [2]
But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
1 John 3:18 [1]
My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:23 [1]
And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
1 John 4:7 [1] [2]
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
1 John 4:8 [1] [2]
He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
1 John 4:9 [2]
In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.
1 John 4:10 [1] [2]
In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
1 John 4:11 [1]
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
1 John 4:12 [1] [2]
No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.
1 John 4:16 [2]
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.
1 John 4:17 [2]
Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
1 John 4:18 [2]
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.
1 John 4:19 [1]
We love Him because He first loved us.
1 John 4:20 [1]
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen?
1 John 4:21 [1]
And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
1 John 5:1 [1]
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him.
1 John 5:2 [1]
By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments.
1 John 5:3 [2]
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome.
2 John 1 [1]
The Elder, To the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all those who have known the truth,
2 John 3 [2]
Grace, mercy, and peace will be with you from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
2 John 5 [1]
And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another.
2 John 6 [2]
This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it.
3 John 1 [1]
The Elder, To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:
3 John 6 [2]
who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well,
3 John 14 (15) [4]
but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face. Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the friends by name.
Jude 1 [1]
To those who are called, sanctified ['loved' in many manuscripts] by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ:
Jude 2 [2]
Mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.
Jude 12 [2]
These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots;
Jude 21 [2]
keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
Revelation 1:5 [1]
and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood,
Revelation 2:4 [2]
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.
Revelation 2:19 [2]
“I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.
Revelation 3:9 [1]
Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie - indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.
Revelation 3:19 [3]
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
Revelation 12:11 [1]
And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
Revelation 20:9 [1]
They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.
Revelation 22:15 [3]
But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.

Verse fragments are from the NKJV.
Compiled by Roy Davison - http://www.oldpaths.com/RD

God loves righteousness and justice by Roy Davison

 

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/045-GodLovesRight.html

God loves righteousness and justice

“For the word of the LORD is right, and all His work is done in truth. He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD” (Psalm 33:4, 5).

Righteousness is the trait of being upright and consistently doing what is good. Job, for example, “was blameless and upright, one who feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1).

Justice is the enforcement of moral and legal standards and the administration of appropriate discipline or retribution for violations. Discipline strives to improve behavior. Retribution satisfies the just requirement for a fair and adequate penalty.

“The LORD loves justice” (Psalm 37:28).


Love has attendant hate.

“Hate evil, love good” (Amos 5:15). “You who love the LORD, hate evil!” (Psalm 97:10).

Of the Messiah it is said: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness more than Your companions” (Psalm 45:6, 7). [Compare with Hebrews 1:9.]


God hates all workers of iniquity.

“For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man” (Psalm 5:4-6).


Evil must be punished.

“The LORD tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. Upon the wicked He will rain coals; fire and brimstone and a burning wind shall be the portion of their cup. For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness” (Psalm 11:5-7).

Because God loves righteousness, His soul hates the wicked. Because He loves justice, He will rain fire on evildoers.

Of course the wicked think this punishment is excessive. In their wickedness, they think evil is not that bad. But evil causes immeasurable harm. Because of this harm, a loving God is obligated to punish evil.


Vengeance and recompense belong to God.

God says, “Vengeance is Mine, and recompense” (Deuteronomy 32:35).

Because God created man with the ability to choose evil or good, evil must be tolerated temporarily. But God will set all things right on judgment day, and there is partial punishment of evil now, both by direct intervention and by governmental justice.

At Christ's return, the wicked will be punished, “Since it is a righteous thing with God to repay with tribulation those who trouble you, and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power” (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9).

Governments administer God's wrath, “For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Romans 13:4).

Christians leave vengeance to God: “Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord. Therefore 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head'” (Romans 12:19, 20).

Because Christians are citizens of a heavenly kingdom (John 18:36; Philippians 3:20) they do not fight or avenge themselves, but defer to the wrath of God. They are ministers, not of wrath, but of reconciliation, “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God” (2 Corinthians 5:20).


The wrath of God arises from His love.

God's wrath results from His love for righteousness, for justice and for His children.

Parents understand this. What would your reaction be to someone who molested your child? Absolute indignation, and rightly so.

God's wrath is always earned.


God has destroyed exceedingly wicked people.

Because of His love for righteousness, God limits evil on earth.

God has used catastrophes, such as the flood and the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, to administer justice.

First, however, we must discuss a question that applies to all catastrophes. What about the innocent children who died in the flood? God loved them and they will be with Him in heaven, just like the innocent children who died in the tsunami of 2004. Of little children Jesus said, “In heaven their angels always see the face of My Father” (Matthew 18:10) and “Of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). Also safe in the arms of God will be the millions of babies murdered by their mothers through abortion.

The history of the world shows that God is extremely patient with sinners, but the antediluvians were intolerably wicked! “Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually” (Genesis 6:5).

There were exceptions. Enoch “walked with God” (Genesis 5:22) and warned of God's judgment: “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment on all, to convict all who are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have committed in an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things which ungodly sinners have spoken against Him” (Jude 14, 15).

In Noah's time he and his family were the only ones on earth who served the Lord! God “did not spare the ancient world, but saved Noah, one of eight people, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood on the world of the ungodly” (2 Peter 2:5).

Those who perished were evildoers by choice. God also gave them a final chance to repent. By the Spirit, Christ preached to those who were disobedient “when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared” (1 Peter 3:18-20).

During the 100 years it took to build the ark, the wicked had a chance to repent. When a man spent 100 years building a huge boat on dry land people certainly heard about it and also about his reason for doing so. But they refused to repent.

When God warned the Ninevites that their city would be destroyed, they repented “and He did not do it” (Jonah 3:10).


God uses governments to keep evil in check.

“If you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil” (Romans 13:4).

Under the Old Testament, God's people had a government that was ordained and led by God (a theocracy). God was the King of Israel (Isaiah 44:6).

God's use of the armies of Israel to wipe out evil nations involved direct commands that were to be obeyed precisely. They were simply instruments of God's wrath. This provides no precedent, because no nations are now directly led by God.

Through the ages, God has used rulers and armies providentially to accomplish His purposes. He used Nebuchadnezzar to punish Israel calling him 'My servant' (Jeremiah 25:8, 9).

God is patient, wanting the wicked to repent: “'As I live,' says the Lord GOD, 'I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live'” (Ezekiel 33:11). “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).

God would not have destroyed Sodom if there were ten righteous people in the city (Genesis 18:32).

But evil can become so extreme that God's love for righteousness and justice mandates immediate intervention.

God promised Abraham that He would give the land of Canaan to his descendents but only after the wickedness of those who lived there was complete. “But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete” (Genesis 15:16).

Moses explained to the people, “It is not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart that you go in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD your God drives them out from before you” (Deuteronomy 9:5).

Sins of these nations included adultery, homosexual practices, sexual intercourse with animals and the sacrifice of infants to Molech (Leviticus 18:20-30; 2 Kings 16:3).

Sacrifices to Molech varied from place to place and over time but descriptions by ancient historians [Cleitarchus (300 BC), Diodorus Siculus (90-30 BC) and Plutarch (100 AD)] can be summarized as follows: the hollow image had a human-like torso with a bull's head. A fire was built in a cavity at the belly. Outstretched arms which became red hot were flat and sloped back so a baby thrown into the arms would roll into the fiery stomach. Sometimes the baby was killed first, sometimes thrown alive into the arms of Molech. In that case drums were beaten and flutes played to cover the screams of the infant. Mothers were not allowed to show any sign of grief.

Such extremely evil practices have at times been punished by God with retribution on earth, but what about eternal retribution?


Justice will be done on judgment day.

God tolerates evil temporarily so man has an opportunity to repent, but because of His love for justice, judgment day will set all things right.

In the letter to the Romans, Paul says that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” (Romans 1:18). Since “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) all stand condemned before God.

Through Christ, God provides an opportunity for salvation. “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9, 10). By dying on the cross Jesus paid the penalty for our sins.

Thus, even though God's love for righteousness and justice mandates retribution, His love for humanity (Titus 3:4) moved Him to provide a way of escape that would not violate the just requirement for punishment. “For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:3, 4).

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

“He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36).

“The LORD tests the righteous” (Psalm 11:5). How people react to Jesus shows their attitude to God. People who love God will love Jesus. “If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed” (1 Corinthians 16:22). “The wrath of God abides on him” who does not believe the Son (John 3:36).

Many claim to be saved although they do not believe Jesus when He says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16) or “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). The wrath of God remains on those who claim that baptism is not necessary for salvation because they do not believe Jesus and they do not obey Jesus.

To be saved we must obey the gospel (Romans 10:16; 2 Thessalonians 1:8; 1 Peter 4:17). The gospel designates faith, repentance, confession and baptism as prerequisites for salvation (Romans 10:10; Acts 2:38).


What have we learned?

God loves righteousness and justice. God hates all workers of iniquity. Because God loves justice, evil must be punished. Vengeance and retribution belong to God. He will rain fire on the wicked.

God is patient and gives people time to repent, but when they become too wicked, His love for righteousness and justice requires immediate intervention. God uses catastrophes and governments to visit wrath on evildoers. Innocent children who die, go to heaven.

The wicked will be punished when Christ returns. Because of sin, we are all under the wrath of God. Only by faith in Christ, who paid the penalty for our sins, can we be saved. God's wrath remains on anyone who does not believe Jesus and obey the gospel. Amen.

Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.
Permission for reference use has been granted.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)

“Love the LORD your God” Joshua 23:11 by Roy Davison

 

http://www.oldpaths.com/Archive/Davison/Roy/Allen/1940/046-LoveGod.html


“Love the LORD your God”
Joshua 23:11

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

This is “the first and great commandment” according to Jesus (Matthew 22:38).

We are commanded to love God. Thus, love is an action of the will, something we can choose to do or not to do.

Love is a virtue, the attitude that desires and actively promotes the benefit of another at one’s own expense. Love is the willingness to work hard, deprive one’s self and suffer, for the sake of someone else. Without love, all other virtues are worthless (1 Corinthians 13:1-3).


God is worthy of our love.

“We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Men and women are created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27). Although this image has been tarnished by sin, we learn something about God’s love by observing man’s noblest attributes.

Our first knowledge of love comes through human relationships. A child is loved by his mother and father, by his grandparents, by other family members and by friends. He learns to love others.

From these relationships he also learns something about the love of God. And parents learn something about the love of God by raising a child.

But substantial knowledge about God’s love is available only because of revelation. In the Scriptures God’s love is explained, and it is demonstrated in His dealings with man.

The ultimate demonstration of God’s love was the sacrifice of His Son on the cross to redeem man: “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9, 10).

When God told His people, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength” they had experienced His love many times and in many ways. He had every right to expect their love in return.

“How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings” (Psalm 36:7). “Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, for they are from of old” (Psalm 25:6).


“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart.”

Superficial religion does not please God. Most religious practices on earth are vain formalities.

This was true of Israel when God said through Isaiah: “These people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me” (Isaiah 29:13).
Jesus applied this to His time: “Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: ‘This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me’” (Mark 7:6).

Superficial or half-hearted worship does not please God. We must love God with our whole heart: with feeling, sincerity and dedication.


“You shall love the LORD your God ... with all your soul.”

Even our heart is not enough. We must love God with our whole being. Loving God is not something we do now and then. Love for God pervades our soul, is an essential part of our being, defines who we are, and influences all that we do.

Paul enlarges on this, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1, 2).


“You shall love the LORD your God ... with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37).

True love for God is based on reason. We love God “with all the understanding” (Mark 12:33).

Paul says, “I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding” (1 Corinthians 14:15).“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment” (Philippians 1:9).

Our love for God must be knowledgeable. We love God with our mind, with our whole mind.


“You shall love the LORD your God .. with all your strength.”

We must love God full force.

Although the Christians at Ephesus had persevered and had exposed false teachers, their love had grown weak: “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place - unless you repent” (Revelation 2:4, 5). Notice that love is indicated by works.

Lukewarm love is not sufficient. Jesus warned the church of the Laodiceans: “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:15, 16).

Jesus said, “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12).

Our love for God must be full strength.

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment” (Mark 12:30).


God must be our first love.

Love for God supplants love for self, money, pleasure and the world: “For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, ... lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:2, 4, 5). “Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (1 John 2:15).

Love for God must surpass love for family. Jesus said: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me” (Matthew 10:37).


What does it mean to love God?

Our love for God is intense adoration and affection.

We yearn for someone we love: “O God, You are my God; early will I seek You; my soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water” (Psalm 63:1).

We want to be near someone we love. God’s people were told “to hold fast to Him” (Deuteronomy 11:22) and to “cling to Him” (Deuteronomy 30:20). They who love God are attached to Him.

Although we learn love from God, His love for us is different from our love for him. His love is sovereign and unearned. Our love is dependent and submissive. He is the Father, we are the toddlers. He is the Shepherd, we are the lambs.

“Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, And into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. For the LORD is good; His mercy is everlasting, And His truth endures to all generations” (Psalm 100:1-5).

We rejoice in someone we love. “But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You” (Psalm 5:11).

When we love God, we want to praise and thank Him for His goodness. “Let all those who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let such as love Your salvation say continually, ‘The LORD be magnified!’” (Psalm 40:16).


How do we show our love to God?

Although love cannot be seen, it affects everything we do. “Let all that you do be done in love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).

We want to serve someone we love. God promised to bless His people, “if you earnestly obey My commandments which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deuteronomy 11:13). Thus, he who loves God with heart and soul, serves God with heart and soul.

Motivated by love we gladly obey God: “Therefore you shall love the LORD your God, and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always” (Deuteronomy 11:1).

When Joshua sent the Reubenites, Gadites, and half tribe of Manasseh back to their homes on the eastern side of the Jordan, he admonished them, “But take careful heed to do the commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the Lord commanded you, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Joshua 22:5).

In his parting words when he was old, Joshua told the people, “Take careful heed to yourselves, that you love the LORD your God” (Joshua 23:11).

Jesus tells His followers: “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word” (John 14:23).

John explains: “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). When we love God with our whole heart, we gladly obey Him. “This is love, that we walk according to His commandments” (2 John 6).

We want to communicate with someone we love. We talk to God in prayer and listen to His word in the Scriptures. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me” (John 10:27).

We want to know someone we love and we want to be known by the one we love. “If anyone loves God, this one is known by Him” (1 Corinthians 8:3). “He who does not love does not know God, for God is love” (1 John 4:8).

We want to have fellowship with someone we love. Christians show their love for God by gathering around the Lord’s table “on the first day of the week” (Acts 20:7) to participate in the body and blood of Christ (1 Corinthians 10:16).


What have we learned?

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment” (Mark 12:30).

God is worthy of our love. We love Him because He first loved us. From human relationships we learn something about the love of God, but substantial knowledge about God’s love is gained only through the Scriptures. Superficial or half-hearted worship does not please God. We present our bodies as living sacrifices. God must be our first love. We cannot love God if we love self, pleasure, money or the world. Our love for God must exceed our love for family.

Our love for God is intense adoration and affection. We hold fast to God and cling to Him.

We show our love to God by serving and obeying Him. We talk to God in prayer and listen to His word in the Scriptures. Christians show their love for God by participating in the body and blood of Christ at the Lord’s table each first day of the week. Our soul yearns for God. We rejoice in Him and magnify His holy name. Amen.

Roy Davison

The Scripture quotations in this article are from
The New King James Version. ©1979,1980,1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers.
Permission for reference use has been granted.

Published in The Old Paths Archive
(http://www.oldpaths.com)