NTS The Love of God

There is one fundamental element of Christianity that became "partially lost" over time after the Christian faith was legalized and had achieved more prominence in European societies and other cultures.

This is the third main element of Christianity: the love of God as shown through His Son.

This basic teaching in Christianity is the most important, because everything else is dependant upon it, including the other two main elements.

Some may say that the love of God has always been taught, although they might agree that it has not always been taught properly or shown wisely.

Although it may be true that "God so loved the world..." (John 3:16) has always been preached, God's true love has not always been properly witnessed. If God has been witnessed through words or actions of harsh judgment, condemnation, bitterness, cruelty, violence, power, control, or any other acts of selfishness, then it has not been God's love that has been witnessed (Isa. 58).

While there are those through the ages who have taught His Word with bitter judgment rather than kindness and love, there have also been many who have taught Jesus' love with forgiveness and compassion, and His judgment with righteousness rather than cruelty.

That God's true love has been shown at times is why the third element was only "partially lost."

When Christians show God's true love to others, unity and working together for the greater good of God rather than strife and conflict are witnessed. Paul was dealing with some of those who were in division when he wrote his letter to the Corinthians.

Paul made it clear that Christians should stand together for Christ, and not be divided.

I think this still holds true. Christians should unite together as one church working for the Lord, which is possible regardless of there now being various church denominations. After all, Christians of every denomination have the same common goal and that is to serve the Lord. We can accomplish so much more for Jesus in unity and working together by far than through division and separation.

As Christians, when we do to others the way we want to be treated, we keep the command of Jesus.

This command "do unto others" is called the golden rule because as the Lord commanded it is always to be kept.

When we keep the golden rule and treat others as we would want to be treated, with dignity and respect, then we have a better understanding of the Law and why God asks obedience from us in keeping it.

The law was made for us as a set of guidelines to teach us how to judge our own heart so that we do right by others (the golden rule), not to be used to judge others who don't do right by us according to our selfish desires.

Resist evil (v. 39) and think of others (v. 40-42). Be like our heavenly Father: "that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven" (v.43-45).

Verses 43-48 teach us not only how to emulate the actions of our Heavenly Father, but also the love that the Father has for humanity.

The love of God as shown through His Son means we show the love to others that Christ has shown to us.

[Note: Since Jesus was telling the apostles to show and to teach the same love that He had shown to them, this is a message particularly for His followers, the church.]

Charity: The theological virtue defined as love directed first toward God but also toward oneself and one's neighbors as objects of God's love.

[ETYMOLOGY: Middle English charite, from Old French, Christian love, from Latin crits, affection, from crus, dear; see k- in Indo-European roots (American Heritage Dictionary).]

The definition of charity is love. The Scripture of 1 Corinthians 13 teaches us it's true meaning as defined by God. When we understand 1 Corinthians 13, we understand how to emulate God's love.

The love of Christ dwells within the Christian heart. The foundation of Christianity is love.


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The Love of God

		There is one fundamental element of Christianity that became "partially lost" over time after the Christian faith was legalized and had achieved more prominence in European societies and other cultures. This is the third main element of Christianity: the love of God as shown through His Son. This basic teaching in Christianity is the most important, because everything else is dependant upon it, including the other two main elements. Some may say that the love of God has always been taught, although they might agree that it has not always been taught properly or shown wisely. Although it may be true that "God so loved the world..." (John 3:16) has always been preached, God's true love has not always been properly witnessed. If God has been witnessed through words or actions of harsh judgment, condemnation, bitterness, cruelty, violence, power, control, or any other acts of selfishness, then it has not been God's love that has been witnessed (Isa. 58). While there are those through the ages who have taught His Word with bitter judgment rather than kindness and love, there have also been many who have taught Jesus' love with forgiveness and compassion, and His judgment with righteousness rather than cruelty. That God's true love has been shown at times is why the third element was only "partially lost." When Christians show God's true love to others, unity and working together for the greater good of God rather than strife and conflict are witnessed. Paul was dealing with some of those who were in division when he wrote his letter to the Corinthians. *1 Corinthians 1* 10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? Paul made it clear that Christians should stand together for Christ, and not be divided. I think this still holds true. Christians should unite together as one church working for the Lord, which is possible regardless of there now being various church denominations. After all, Christians of every denomination have the same common goal and that is to serve the Lord. We can accomplish so much more for Jesus in unity and working together by far than through division and separation. As Christians, when we do to others the way we want to be treated, we keep the command of Jesus. *Matthew 7* 12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. This command "do unto others" is called the golden rule because as the Lord commanded it is always to be kept. When we keep the golden rule and treat others as we would want to be treated, with dignity and respect, then we have a better understanding of the Law and why God asks obedience from us in keeping it. The law was made for us as a set of guidelines to teach us how to judge our own heart so that we do right by others (the golden rule), not to be used to judge others who don't do right by us according to our selfish desires. We learn to do what is right under God's terms. *Matthew 5* 10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. *Matthew 5* 38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. 41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. 42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. 43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Resist evil (v. 39) and think of others (v. 40-42). Be like our heavenly Father: "that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven" (v.43-45). Verses 43-48 teach us not only how to emulate the actions of our Heavenly Father, but also the love that the Father has for humanity. The love of God as shown through His Son means we show the love to others that Christ has shown to us. *John 13* 34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. We have compassion for others because we care about them with the same love as Christ has cared for us... Galatians 1 10 For 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. ...and not to seek the approval of others or to please them. *[Note: Since Jesus was telling the apostles to show and to teach the same love that He had shown to them, this is a message particularly for His followers, the church.]* Paul sums up the love of God in his letter to Corinth. *1 Corinthians 13* 1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a* tinkling cymbal.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, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease;whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. Charity: The theological virtue defined as love directed first toward God but also toward oneself and one's neighbors as objects of God's love. [ETYMOLOGY: Middle English charite, from Old French, Christian love, from Latin crits, affection, from crus, dear; see k- in Indo-European roots (American Heritage Dictionary).] The definition of charity is love. The Scripture of 1 Corinthians 13 teaches us it's true meaning as defined by God. When we understand 1 Corinthians 13, we understand how to emulate God's love. *John 3* 16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. *Ephesians 3* 14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, 16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;19 And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. The love of Christ dwells within the Christian heart. The foundation of Christianity is love.