WHAT IS THE NATURE OF CHRISTIAN LOVE? --It's full depth and breadth

Quix | 23 APR 2007 | Quix

[Quix]

WHAT IS THE NATURE
OF CHRISTIAN LOVE?

--IT'S DEPTH, BREADTH, DIMENSIONS--

Have prayed since Jr High to be able to love like Jesus. That's a pretty hazardous prayer. The training for answers to that prayer is a lot like the training for wisdom, humility and patience. Lots of long dark nights of the soul; refiner's fires; being ground to powder, blown to the 4 winds--recollected--dipped in vinegar and ran through the manure spreader backwards . . . can all be SOP--common events.

Here are some questions to get us started prayerfully considering these principles and truths:

1. What is the nature of God's Love?
2. Is there any difference in Christ's Love?
. . .
3. How do we reconcile, manage living out God's model of Fierce Love AND Fierce Severity?
. . .
Romans 11:22 (The Message) The Message (MSG)
Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
. . .
21-22If God didn't think twice about taking pruning shears to the natural branches, why would he hesitate over you? He wouldn't give it a second thought. Make sure you stay alert to these qualities of gentle kindness and ruthless severity that exist side by side in God—ruthless with the deadwood, gentle with the grafted shoot. But don't presume on this gentleness. The moment you become deadwood, you're out of there.
. . .
4. Is Christian Love 99% warm fuzzy and 1% severe or what?
5. How do we discern when to share the warm fuzzy aspects of Love and when the ruthless severity?
. . .
6. How do we keep an accurate, discerning check on our motives as well as our actions--doing what we can to insure that they conform to God's Christian Love?
7. How do we Love whole-heartedly as unto The Lord while still being human?
. . .
8. How responsible are we for the results of our efforts to Love?
9. How long do we wait to judge whether we were truly Loving, or not?
. . .
10. How do we deal with perceptions of receivers and others that we haven't been loving when our spirit indicates and God indicates that we have?
. . .
11. Is the Severity of God less loving than God's warm fuzzies?
12. How can we minimize errors in Loving?

Let us be iron sharpening iron to one another.

[Quix]

AMEN.

[Marysecretary]

Dear one, I think everything you could ever say on the subject has been said. I’m not sure how productive it is to keep going over it. Folks who post on the religion forum have heard it and may actually become hardened to it and ignore it when they see your name on it. Perhaps it’s time to prayerfully consider a different approach without compromising the message. Different tone but not different message. Does that make sense? Keep up the good work, however, in trying to bring truth to all of us. Much love, Mxxx

[Quix]

MUCH APPRECIATED.

Agreed. Thanks for FREEPMAILS. Agreed.

LUB,

[Velveeta]

Keep on posting, Quix.
You are loved.

[Quix]

Thanks thanks.

Will do. Lord willing and the Creek don’t rise up.

But, the issue was . . . with the fiercely mocking satire, or not.

‘Tis to be: or not, on this religion forum.

Much appreciate your kind input.

[Marysecretary]

We’re human and our emotions and experiences get in our way. God can love wholly because He is God! He has no insecurities or other human traits that get in the way. We love the best we can, I honestly believe. And, I think we’re on the path to learning. I know I am and I believe Quix and other Christian posters are doing the same. M

[Marysecretary]

Perhaps, dear Quix, you have accomplished what God wanted with your writing style and your words. Now He may be moving you in a new direction; change is always difficult. You will be in my prayers as you seek Him for answers. You are loved. I hope you know that.

[Marysecretary]

It’s in our brokenness that God is revealed as our strength and our defender. Take heart, dear one.

[Quix]

Thanks tons for your kind words and fitting exhortations.

Yes, you help me know God’s Love is tangibly real. Thanks enormously.

LUB,
BLPH,

[Marysecretary]

I’m sure God has used your ‘fierceness’ to help many, many people. Face to face is different from what we write here. Many times it can be misunderstood because they can’t see your expressions, sense your tears, your agony for them. I’ve written thoughts in letters that caused a lot of problems for me and I’ve learned not to express myself that way to those I love. Much to repent of in my life, I’m afraid. Sigh.

[Quix]

Thanks.

Wisdom in what you say.

I have certainly not led a particularly saintly life, either. But I have earnestly tried to love as He loved with as much Grace and understanding as I’ve had at the time.

[John 6.66=Mark of the Beast?]

Hello Quix, my question about the love of God was a general one an example that I have found not fully present in my life. That said I am not bitter towards God nor have I taken my toys and gone on to other things. You see I was born a heathen and practiced the ways of the world for 30 years indulging in most the things of the 60’s generation. I was like the prodigal son who was living in the pig pen but did not know that there was someone who truly loved me and cared what would become of me.

On August 10 1986 God stepped into my life and delivered me from 20 years of drug use to the point that I had no withdrawals nor did I or have I had any desire to drink or drug since then. Every day I wake up with knowledge of what He has done for me and in me and that with out his intervention I would of been dead a long time ago found with a needle in my arm.

That song called I’m forever grateful is the story of my life. He did not wait for me to cry out to Him but let me hear His voice calling me. There is not one disappointed bone in my body every time I hear someone talking about having clean time at work I pipe in and tell them of my over 20 years plus and they ask me how I got clean and stay clean I ask them how much time do they have and if we can talk at lunch or meet at some other time.This has been a door that God has opened many time and I have had the privilege to give my testimony and give God all the glory.

[Marysecretary]

I know you have. You are one of the most humble people on FR, as I’ve told you and others many times. Your heart is open to change if that’s what God is calling you to do. So is mine. Let’s enjoy the journey!

[Marysecretary]

Thanks for your beautiful testimony,John. M

[Quix]

Thanks for your wonderful testimony and your encouragement to persevere.

God’s best to you and yours.

[Quix]

Thanks for your humbling praise.

Scripture says we are tested by praise! LOL.

You are a persistent source of exhortation and encouragement. Wonderful qualities, both.

Healing and wholeness to your beleagered body, Dear Sister in The Lord.

[Marysecretary]

Thanks, Quix. I went to the transplant center in Syracuse Monday. I need a mammogram and a colonoscopy (AGGGHHHH) before they will evaluate me for a transplant. Pray all goes well. A sister of a friend of mine had a colonoscopy and the doctor pierced something and spread the poison all through her body. She was in the hospital and almost died. So, I’m a little wary.

[Quix]

Maybe they will have the camera pill you can swallow! LOL.

Prayers for sure.

LUB,

[Quix]

I just learned today from my 84 year old Step-Dad . . .

that they had a speaker this past Sunday at his A of G church who was born and raised in Sri Lanka.

And, he related how just before the huge Tsunami in Nov some time past, the ?Buddhists? and/or Muslims—not clear—he thought Buddhists—had planned and scheduled to murder all the Christians.

Instead, the Tsunami wiped out all those planning to do the murdering and left the Christians virtually intact.

Praise God for the His Love in all it’s severity.