[Alamo-Girl]

Thank you for sharing your interpretation of those passages, AndrewC. We are in disagreement, but I defer to the wisdom of Gamalial in Acts 5, i.e. you may have a mission which is quite different from mine and I do not wish to interfere.

My niche and mission in this life is consumed in the Great Commandment:

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. - I John 4:16-21

[AndrewC]

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 Jesus loved Peter, but nevertheless said to him --->Mat 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

[CobaltBlue]

Don't forget John 13:35, "By this all men shall know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."