ON LOVE; PART MCDVI
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FIRST IS THE GREAT COMMANDMENTS: “The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31).
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WHAT THEN IS LOVE? In a general sense love is benevolence, good will; that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men, and to do them good. In a theological sense, it includes supreme love to God, and universal good will to men. While this IS from an older definition of Charity, which IS rendered in the King James Bible from the same Greek word agape which IS generally rendered as Love, we should amend our own definition here to include the idea that in the reality of Love a man will accord to ALL men ALL things that he would accord to himself and to say that Love IS our thoughts and attitude of the equality of ALL men regardless of their outward nature or appearance…that ALL ARE equally children of Our One God.
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PLUS THE EVER IMPORTANT AND HIGH IDEAL TAUGHT TO US BY THE CHRIST: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12).
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We ended the last essay with our trifecta and some comments on the way that the Apostle Paul addressed the Galatians in his ONLY epistle to them. While the trifecta shows us, In the Words of Jesus, the Way to Truth, to the Kingdom and to having the Presence of God in one’s Life, his words to the Galatians show us how they have been “so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ“. This “another gospel” set them upon a ‘doctrinal path’ based in the “commandments of men” rather than Truths that Paul had heretofore presented to them. We should try to see that it DOES NOT matter what ‘doctrinal path’ the Galatians were pointed to by “another gospel” but the idea that this IS “another gospel: Which is not another” should help us to see that the Galatians problem IS one that continued on for the next 2000 years. The idea of “another gospel: Which is not another” should help us to see that the alternative teachings by men which “would pervert the gospel of Christ” ARE similar enough to warrant this appellation while being different enough to provoke Paul’s words which we cite here; The apostle writes that:
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed“.
Galatians 1:6-9
Paul goes on in his writing to try to justify his own teaching against the ramblings of men saying such things as “do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:10-12). The point here IS that the Galatians were shown “the gospel of Christ” but they allowed themselves to be swayed toward another version of the Truth which, from the apostle’s perspective was one that “pleased men” rather than the Lord and this likely because of the comparative ease of what had come to them as “another gospel“. It IS this trend that continues to today and we should note here that the prima facia cause of this trend IS the comparative ease of living according to such “commandments of men“. Should we relate what happened to the Galatians to Jesus words which repeat the words of the prophet some 700 years earlier, we could then perhaps understand how that these words ARE timeless and relate the Truth versus the Jews mitzvah as well as the Master’s teaching versus whatsoever is made to masquerade as His teaching. As we said, it matters NOT that Paul’s words ARE linked to a reversion into the Galatians supposed Jewish religious roots, what matters IS that there IS “another gospel” that is masquerading as the Truth. History should show us that it IS an odd collection of “another gospel” that has taken hold and which must be displaced if the Christian masses ARE ever to see the greater Truths that the Master teaches us. Again we should look to the Master’s words to understand the predictive and timeless nature of His saying that “This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Mark 7:6-7).
It IS ironic perhaps that the very apostle that warned about the influx of “another gospel” IS the same one whose words have spawned them. While some may ‘blame’ Paul for being the cause of the Christian confusion over the last 2000 years, it IS in reality the wrangling of men who read his words that ARE the True cause. What many may see as the ‘gospel of Paul’ IS in reality “the commandments of men“; most ALL of modern Christianity IS the ‘gospel of men’. Such gospels, which vary by denomination and sect, ARE based in the ideas of the church fathers, men of good intent who sought carnal explanations for spiritual Truths, and the Reformers centuries later whose objective was more to counter the effect of the original church and teachings than to establish a religious philosophy closer to the Truth. In the 2000 years since the advent of the Christ in this world it IS the vanity of men that has prevailed over the Truth and we should understand here that this was predicted in a rather oblique way by the Master who clearly says “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able” (Luke 13:24). Here we should see the predictive idea that most ALL will fail to find the Truth. Matthew’s version of this idea IS a bit more revealing; the apostle gives us the Master’s words as “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). In Matthew’s report of Jesus’ words we have them fixed into His Sermon on the Mount and the place that Matthew puts these words IS equally revealing as to the Master’s intent as the apostle interprets it. While Luke’s version IS in response to a question about salvation, Matthew’s IS a integral part of the Sermon and IS sandwiched between the Golden Rule and the Master’s caution about “false prophets“; His words on the “strait gate” immediately follow His words on the guiding principal by which we can “Enter ye in at the strait gate” and come before His caution against what may prevent us from DOING so. The guiding principal IS clearly our guide to agape as the Master shows us the intended relationship that we should ever have with others, a guide that we should try to see as His own explanation of how to “love thy neighbour as thyself“. However, His words saying “all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12) have become but a trite saying that IS mentioned in sermons and books but never promoted as the guiding principal that it IS. Men ARE NOT indoctrinated into the Truth of agape, instead they ARE indoctrinated into the various doctrinal pronouncements of men which ARE “commandments of men” and which ARE NOT centered in the Truth of Love. So the Master shows us the guiding Light, tells us of our predictive chances of attaining that Light, and then shows us those things that DO prevent the world from even seeing that Light as He cautions us against hearing the words of men in place of the word of God. In this context we should be able to more easily see the points that the Apostle John makes in our selection as he equates the Master’s idea of “false prophets” to his own appellation of antichrist. And NOT ONLY this, John follows the Master’s lead by showing us the same guiding Light….agape. Repeating our selection from John’s First Epistle we read:
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. We love him, because he first loved us. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also“.
1 John 4
What John IS showing us in the beginning of our selection here and in prior chapters IS perhaps the first evidence of Jesus’ predictive words from His Sermon. As ARE the Master’s words, John’s words ARE a warning and a caution against our own hearing of voices that deviate from Jesus’ Truths and which render His new religious approach moot based in the ideas of men; ideas that reflect the seemingly improbable nature of their ability to live that Truth. In this these “false prophets” ARE looking through the Master’s words saying that “few there be that find it” and seeing a man made solution that can feed the comfort of men regarding their own supposed fate in Life. We should note here that what Jesus predicts and John acknowledges has become the way of the churches which have been continually “teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” unabashedly over the centuries while convincing themselves that such doctrines ARE their best effort to draw closer to the Lord. While ALL the apostles DO show us the Way to see and grasp the guiding Light of Love and Truth, their efforts have been wasted on the doctrinal thinkers throughout history who DO NOT see the Truth. They rather search out their preconceived doctrinal ideas in the words of the apostles as they interpret spiritual ideas into their own carnal Truths which then masquerade for the One Truth that IS our God. Thus the clarity of such apostolic teachings as we find in the New Testament ARE lost to the world of men who DO NOT comprehend such ideas as that which Peter gives us saying: “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4). That there ARE promises IS apparent in the words of the Master and His apostles and while they seem to be many, they can be folded into the single idea that Peter shows us saying that we should become “partakers of the divine nature“, a nature that IS defined by Love and Truth. There IS however a NOT so hidden quid pro quo in Peter’s words and that IS that we must have “escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust“. This IS that same “bondage of corruption” that Paul speaks of as he assures the True follower of the Lord that he “shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:21). Here we should see two things; first that this idea of deliverance IS from the Greek word eleutheroo which IS better rendered as to make free, set at liberty9 as Thayer’s shows us. Being delivered presumes some outside action to gain one’s freedom from the bondage while making free shows us the similar idea from our trifecta where Jesus tells us that “the truth shall make you free“.
There IS NO difference between the apostles’ ideas here: being in “the glorious liberty of the children of God” IS offered in the same spiritual tone as being “partakers of the divine nature“. We should understand that to be made free from “the bondage of corruption” IS our escape from the vanity which escape IS “the earnest expectation of the creature” as he, or the creation as a whole as this IS rendered by many, “waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God“. It IS this “earnest expectation” that IS reflected in the idea that the True follower “shall be delivered” and it IS this that Peter shows us in our escape. Reading Paul’s words in context can perhaps help our understanding; the apostle tells us : “I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because expectation that the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:18-21). Men have ever refused to entertain the reality of the spiritual Life that Jesus’ presents to us and which His apostles acknowledge in their writings; men have ever refused to see the need to escape “the corruption that is in the world through lust“. Perhaps this refusal goes back to the Jewish roots of the Christian religions as they too refused to see the reality offered in the various quid pro quos that were offered to them; and they too take upon themselves the ideas of the blessings without Truly entertaining the need to DO their part in these equations. The Jews developed their mitzvah which, while it may NOT have been called this in those days, masqueraded as the Truth of God’s words as given through Moses. This they DID by emphasizing the ‘easier’ ideas from Moses’ words, ideas like sacrifice, sabbaths, dietary rules and other ancillary parts of the law that were NOT what the Master calls “the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith” (Matthew 23:23). Central to these “weightier matters” IS the Truth of agape which, when applied to one’s outward expression, takes away the egoic sense of self, a sense that IS part and parcel of our “bondage of corruption“. It IS the sense of self, men’s focus upon the self as the center, that keeps them from the “weightier matters” and thereby keeps them from True communion with the Lord. And this IS regardless of the way we see God who IS both Transcendent as the Jews see Him and Immanent as the Master teaches us. It IS likely because of the Christian religions’ established Jewish roots that the Christian yet today fails to understand the Immanence of the Lord while holding on to their ideas regarding His Transcendence.
As we have discussed in previous essays, the Jews were able to manipulate the law to their carnal advantage by picking and choosing what parts they would understand as important to their ‘salvation‘, a false choosing to be sure. The Christian however had NO such alternative to the words of the Master. Jesus left men with NO ‘safe harbor’ from the Truth and because of this and the presumed harshness of His words, the Christian church fathers found their alternatives in the words of the apostles which they were able to manipulate to their carnal advantage. This IS the church’s continuation of the emergence of “another gospel: Which is not another“. While this may seem a harsh indictment of the Christian world, it IS nonetheless borne out by a serious reading of the “commandments of men” against the reality that IS given us by the Christ. Most ALL of Jesus’ words regarding the Way to the Truth ARE given to us in rather clear language. What keeps most from seeing His Truths IS men’s reliance upon their doctrines and the authority that they have willingly given to those that have assumed authority for their spiritual wellbeing over the last 2000 years. Few see the value of the words of our trifecta which IS but our sampling of the Master’s words that show us the True Way. While the churches may use some of these words in their own doctrinal approach to the Lord, they use them ONLY in a doctrinal context; most DO NOT connect man’s part with the reward, most DO NOT see the inherent quid pro quo. Repeating our trifecta we read:
- “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:31-32).
- “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
- “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me” (John 14:21-24).
We have put much emphasis upon our trifecta throughout the course of these blog posts and any reading of Jesus’ words here that IS free from doctrinal influence will reveal the Truth that we try to instill in the reader. And while the doctrinal churches may agree that the Master’s words ARE virtuous, they fail to show men their importance to their own ‘salvation‘ which IS continually linked to that mythical place that they call heaven. At best there ARE ONLY vague references in scripture to their view of heaven but this nebulousness IS ignored as these ARE interpreted into the doctrines of men. Most mistake the idea of eternal Life with this place called heaven but the reality IS that Life itself IS eternal for everyman as a spiritual being, as a Soul. This however IS one of those mysteries to which Paul refers saying such things as “Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfild the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints” (Colossians 1:25:26). While many Christians may claim to have KNOWLEDGE of these mysteries, few if any can tell us what they ARE except in nebulous doctrinal terms. Jesus also shows us this same idea when speaking to His disciples, His True disciples according to our trifecta, He says: “it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given” (Matthew 13:11). Again there IS a basic doctrinal problem that IS seemingly incurable, a problem that causes many an average Christian to proclaim himself a disciple of the Lord and a saint despite the greater Truth that most ALL ARE far from the reality behind these appellations. We should remember that the disciple IS clearly defined by the Lord; first in our trifecta where the disciple, the True disciple, IS he that DOES “continue in my word” and second in His words according to Luke saying that “whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:33). We should remember that His words in Luke’s Gospel ARE inherently the same as His words according to Matthew who uses a different idea to show the disciple. In Matthew’s Gospel the idea of the disciple IS found in the way that a man can be found “worthy of” the Master and this idea has many ramifications.
Matthew frames the Master’s words as “He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me“. The fullness of Luke’s words tells us “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple….whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26-27, 33). The gap in verses here IS for Jesus’ words that tell us of the cost of discipleship, how that the journey IS a thought out plan akin to building a tower or taking one’s nation into war. In both examples there IS a measuring of the cost which must perforce be a part of the plan. Jesus says: “which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace” (Luke 14:28-32). We should understand here that the subjects of both Matthew’s and Luke’s words ARE in regard to the same idea of bringing a man into accord with the reality of keeping His words. While these ARE framed differently we should see the ideas as they ARE presented and NOT as doctrines have interpreted. To be “worthy of me” should be seen in relation to the first of the Great Commandments which clearly shows us the intended relationship between God and men; Jesus tells us “thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength” and here we should be able to see the fullness of this sense of agape. We should be able to see that one CAN NOT Love “father or mother” or “son or daughter more than me” and be in accord with the commandment. We should try to see here two things; first that these carnal examples of Love for those close to us must pale in comparison to our Love for God and second that our Love for God can ONLY be True according to the Master’s words from our trifecta saying that “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings“. This Truth of Love and being worthy of the Master IS missed by most ALL doctrinal thinkers.
We should try to see that the plight of the Christian world IS much as Paul paints for us regarding the Galatians who drifted away from the Truth and, according to the apostle, quite easily. Paul begins his comments on the Galatians saying “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another” (Galatians 1:6, 7) and moves on then to those ideas away from which the “foolish Galatians” so drifted. The Master left us a single Truth and told us how that we can be His disciples and be worthy of Him, an idea rendered by some using ideas as being “not fit to be my disciples” when one’s Love for ‘family’ IS greater than one’s Love for the Lord. This idea of Love IS as commonplace in the Christian world as it IS anywhere else which IS the first spiritual failure of men while a close second IS found in men’s self proclaimed Love for the Lord; a Love that IS NOT True for the man who DOES NOT keep His words. Toward the end of his epistle Paul shows his frustration with the Galatians who for whatever reasons have drifted away from the Truth and onto “another gospel“, perhaps the same form of “another gospel” that plagues the church yet today. Paul alludes to this Truth as he says to the Galatians “Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?” and we should understand that Paul’s Truth IS nothing less than “the gospel of Christ” which IS the teachings of the Master. It IS Jesus teachings that ARE His gospel and the same gospel that IS further explained by His apostles. Here again IS John’s point from our selection which can be folded into Paul’s words in such ideas as “I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto” the words of “false prophets” which play the role of antichrist. Beyond John’s caution and Paul’s derision of the Galatians general attitude IS their amplifying and clarifying the Master’s teaching of agape. John shows us that the commonplace attitudes of the average Christian regarding agape DO make liars of men according to his words saying “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?“. Men may speak of Love for others but their carnal idea IS a far cry from the reality of agape that Jesus teaches us, a reality that IS based in the second of the Great Commandments saying “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself“, an adage that IS NOT rightly understood yet today.
When the idea of agape IS rightly understood it will be because the accompanying idea of selflessness IS understood as a cornerstone of every world religion. Christianity IS NO different when viewed in terms of selflessness which idea IS found in Jesus’ teachings on the very nature of God. A nature that reflects the Truth that “there is no respect of persons with God” (Romans 2:11), a Truth which IS brought down to humanity in James words saying “if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors” (James 2:9). While much of Christianity believes that a person can garner ‘special’ favor from the Lord in carnal matters through “prayer and supplication”, the Truth IS far from this as such allowances by the Lord would render moot the whole idea that “God is no respecter of persons” (Acts 10:34). This intended human attitude IS shown us by Jesus who tells us, commands us if you will, to “Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise“. As the Master gives us this instruction He also shows us that this IS the nature of the Father and that we should be like unto Him; we read Jesus’ words saying “love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful“(Luke 6:27:31, 35-36). We should remember here that charis IS wrongfully rendered as thank; charis should always be understood as grace and grace should always be understood in spiritual terms. James shows us the reality of this idea of prayer for things of the self saying:
“From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God”.
James 4:1-4
James tells us here that the common idea of prayer for those things that ARE wanted by the supplicant IS ever a fruitless effort. This appears however to be in opposition to Paul’s words saying “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God” (Philippians 4:6). In the idea of “Be careful for nothing” we should see Jesus’ words saying “take no thought for your life” (Matthew 6:25) and consider these synonymous ideas. Moreover, these words ARE NOT in any way reflective of carnal desires as this whole section of Paul’s Epistle IS spiritual and these words on “prayer and supplication” should be seen in the Light of those ideas that follow on the very nature of our thoughts. Paul tells us “the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things” (Philippians 4:7-8). We should remember that the rendered words in this final verse ARE carnal versions of the Truths that Paul IS offering.
This brings to a close our discussion of our selection from John’s First Epistle and while it seems we left off referencing the apostle’s words several essays back, the complexity of his message has sparked the other discussions that we have entered into. From the idea of “another gospel” and its affiliation with “false prophets” and antichrists, to the stark comments on agape in John’s closing words saying “this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also” we have tried to expose the underlying Truths that ARE ignored through the doctrines of men. We move on now to an epistle that begins with the idea of “another gospel” with our new selection from Galatians and Paul’s words that ARE intended to reset their thinking and push them towards the Truth that IS NOT emphasized in “another gospel“, agape. Paul tells the Galatians:
“brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affectionsb and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit“.
Galatians 5:13-25
We will continue with our thoughts in the next post.
- 4 Word Studies in the New Testament; Marvin R Vincent D.D. 2nd edition
- 9 Thayer’s Greek Lexicon on blueletterbible.org
- 9a The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible on blueletterbible.org
Those who walk on the well-trodden path always throw stones at those who are showing a new road.
Voltaire, Writer and Philosopher
