[Salvation]

I’m puzzled by some of the responses on this thread.

I’m wondering if they are only thinking of the “eros” love, rather than “agape” love of “philo” love??

I may not like the way my neighbor behaves (getting drunk every weekend, for example) but that does not mean I can’t have a brotherly “philo” love for him — and maybe some day talk about the neighbor’s drinking habits and family life with him.

[DaveMSmith]

I understand these teachings to mean we are to discriminate exactly what kind of love we should express depending on what we know. For example, not enabling a person who does evil or something against our conscious but stepping up an ministering to them - that is love.

I rarely hand out or loan cash - I don't consider that love. I will stay up online or on the phone to help an alcoholic or drug addict not pick up.

[DaveMSmith]

“[...]mutual love consists in desiring what is good to another rather than to oneself, as with the love of parents towards children, and as with the love of those who are moved to do good not for their own benefit but because they find joy in doing it.” Secrets of Heaven 2738 ~ Swedenborg

[trebb]

I’m puzzled by some of the responses on this thread. I’m wondering if they are only thinking of the “eros” love, rather than “agape” love of “philo” love?? I may not like the way my neighbor behaves (getting drunk every weekend, for example) but that does not mean I can’t have a brotherly “philo” love for him — and maybe some day talk about the neighbor’s drinking habits and family life with him.

They are merely exhibiting the worldly flaws that reside in all of us. Else, He would not have had to die for our sins. If we still had to sacrifice something to atone for our sins, my back yard would be an abattoir.