Here is a comment sent in by “Anonymous”: how is it possible to love God, if you do not have this so-called love in you, what is it, where does it come from, how do you get it, or how much does it cost, i accepted Christ 12 years ago, and according to you, i have wasted my time, 12 years of my life trying to please God, and a lot of money in church, this tells me that God does not accept everyone, only the ones he wants. if love is a gift from God, then the Bible is a lie he gives it to certain ones only, this would mean it is immpossible for me to go to heaven, because i do not have this so called love.
“Anonymous,” your excellent, candid and down-to-earth questions are worthy of being published in the main section of this blog for the sake of others that may have the same questions.
First of all, it sounds like you are a member of organized religion. That is one strike against you. Exposing what is kept silent by religion is what this blog is all about. Enough of that. The whole Christian faith is based on a mutual love between God, Jesus Christ and His disciples (us). Even though human love is powerful—e.g. love between husband and wife or parents and their children—Godly love makes that love look wimpy; however, it is nice to know that someone loves you and that you love in return.
Godly love is similar, except that God is the one who dictates how to love and who to love since He created us; therefore, He is the one who knows what is best for us. Much of my adult life, I have been looking for human love to satisfy a deep inward need to be loved. And no matter how genuine that love of another was, be it parents, siblings, mate, etc., sooner or later, one way or another, it always fell short. Human love or Godly love cannot be fabricated. You see, human beings are love beings, in that love is the only attitude that truly satisfies. To put it another way, love makes us feel needed, wanted and important.
All those words and I didn’t even start to answer your first question. Love for God/Christ is to obey His commands. John 14:21. “Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me.” John 14:24. “He who does not love me will not obey my teaching.” John 15:10. “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love.” Obedience to Jesus Christ and love for Him are inseparable. That is the main atrocity organized religion is guilty of. “Obedience” is a dirty word to them, and is avoided as much as possible. In fact, even though obedience (good works) can never save anyone, it is the crucial evidence that a person’s faith is genuine. John 15:8. “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, SHOWING yourself to be my disciples.”
There are dozens upon dozens of hard-edged verses that are avoided by religion per se. I have written on those verses several times; the latest is in post # 170: “Crimes in Christ’s Name Exposed.” If a person doesn’t have a desire to start to obey those commands, there is no way in hell he can have love for God or God have love for him. Many of those verses sound ridiculous and impossible to implement. And yet there is a reason for every single one of them. They are not in the New Testament just to make things hard for His disciples.
I am answering your questions in a roundabout way. When you said you don’t have this love in you, I say, “good for you for being honest with God and with yourself.” You asked what it is. It is a response to God’s call, displayed by obedience. It is evidence that His disciples believe God and desire to obey Him. You asked where it comes from. It comes from God, in response to your belief. You asked how you get it. It comes from belief in what Christ said. You asked, how much it costs. Not a red cent, only your complete life devoted to promoting the cause of Christ.
You said that God does not accept everyone, only the ones He wants. That is a lie. God accepts everyone who believes in what His Son did for humanity. But it doesn’t end there. As previously mentioned, evidence of that belief is obedience to His commands. No obedience, no love or Salvation. You said, He accepts only certain ones. Wrong. It is more than possible for you to go to heaven if you go along with His plan. But if you stay on the course you are now on, most likely you may end up in . . . .
The best advice I can give you is to read the New Testament. Read it and reread it, and never stop reading it. Highlight certain verses that you want to be reminded of. Keep reading it or get a set of the New Testament C Ds and listen to them every day until it becomes an intricate part of your life. As you get acquainted with what God desires, start to change your life according to what Christ commands. And before you know it, guess what? Your love for God will gradually manifest in your life, and God’s love for you will become real. But before all this can come about, you must have a desperate need for all that God has for you. Another suggestion: It might seem difficult, but it will do you much good if you separate yourself from the church you have been attending for 12 years. By all means, stop giving your hard-earned money to people who unknowingly are sending many to hell.
Here is the answer to your main question: How do you get to love God? Here are two human analogies: You are in a burning building screaming at the top of your lungs; flames are shooting out of every window. You are as good as dead. One brave fireman/lady throws a soaking wet blanket over his/her body and darts inside in an attempt to save you. As he/she comes out of the burning building with you safely wrapped inside the blanket, people start shouting with joy. In the process, the fire person was severely burned. The burns were so bad that he/she died on the scene.
Miraculously, he/she is revived. How would you feel about that person who was your savior? You would love that person and feel indebted to him/her for the rest of your life. Now I ask: Where did that love come from? Answer: from the gratitude and appreciation for being saved by this person.
That is exactly what Jesus Christ (God) did for you. By His death on the cross, He saved you from the pains of eternal hell. Where is your gratitude? Is the occurrence a reality to you? If you truly believed it actually happened, you would automatically love Him for the rest of your life. The question is, what type of belief do you have concerning Christ saving you? I would say that you don’t, at this time, have the belief needed to make that event a reality.
Here is another analogy: Most young children love their parents. Why is that? Their parents love them and therefore care for their every need. Where did that love for parents come from? You guessed it. Children know it would be almost impossible to live without the loving care of their parents.
God is called The Father of all who believe and obey in what He commands. Why would anyone not love the one who is their heavenly Father? Good question, because their heavenly Father is not a reality to whomever. Belief/faith is the quality that makes The Father a reality. He becomes our Father if we obey Him, and God counts obedience coupled with belief as LOVE for Him. John 14:23-24. “Jesus replied, ‘If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.’”
So the definitive answer to “how do you get it?” is that your belief needs serious work, and it will come when you make every effort to keep your mind and soul on the things of God. And one of the best ways to do that is to become intimately acquainted with the New Testament.
If you decide to go along with those aforementioned words, and you have more questions—I am certain you will—throw them at me. I need a good challenge once in a while, like the ones you just gave me today. May God bless you with all you allow Him to give you. jc Check the comment section below. “Anonymous” presented further and more complete details, and I gave my response.
19 comments:
My words seem to have you assuming somes things that are not quite right, I do not go to church anymore, 2 reasons, #1 99% of christians treat me like CRAP, hello how are you, shake your hand, and then see you next Sunday,if you dont look like, or dress like the rest of them, you are not one of them, and you are not welcome there, #2 organized religion, I know your views on that one. My mother passed away Oct. 15, in my arms, and her death did not affect me at all, nothing, I have kids and grandkids, they mean nothing to me, I love no one, I blame my parents for this. Honour thy father and mother, this is impossible for me to do, christians always tell me, ask God to help me love people, ask God to deliver you from smoking, I dont think so, it is not his nature to over ride my will, he will not make anyone do anything, I came to God through Christ, because he created life, and thats why I am here, and thats it, I have no feelings of love for God at all, because I do not have a clue what love is,but I will say this, Jesus Christ is Lord, this I know and believe, and I tell everyone about him, I have brought people to Christ, I do not think anything I do for God is going to help me in the end.
Again, thank you for the input on your spiritual life. I apologize if I assumed things that are not true about you. At this point, I am in a quandary as to what I could say, better yet, what Christ can say and do through me, in your situation. Nevertheless, let’s glory in the positive things about you. First you are aware what most organized religion consist of; that is a big plus. Second, You believe Jesus Christ is Lord (boss), and you are not ashamed to make it known. Third, You have been active in bringing people to Christ. Most people who call themselves Christians can’t put your accomplishments on their resum’e. Yet, without love as the common denominator in your Christian life, it sounds contrary to what is taught in the New Testament. But that is not the end of the story.
You blame your parents for your lack of love, and still they cared for you and gave you some sort of love, even though you did not perceive it as love. With your willingness to believe that the majority of parents love their children and let them know it, even if not with words, you can believe that most parents generally are good.
God Almighty is a Father to all who believe in what He says. These, His children He loves dearly. And He want you to love Him back by being obedient to His commands. If you do that, you love your heavenly Father without even knowing it. Capitalize on that fact, even though, many times it is not easy to love others–the second most important command--as God desires. If you purposely don’t want to love as God desires–not that you can’t--then I don’t know what to say to you.
A person cannot make up their own rules as to what it means to be His disciple. I think I know what you mean when you say you don’t even love your children or grand-children. You don’t know how to express your love for them. Or you don’t see a need to love them. You cannot separate love from need. That may be the reason you don’t think you love God. You don't really love or need God except to give you eternal life. Forget about eternal life and concentrate on what He desires from you and how much He desire to love. It is up to God as to whatever He does with you on the last day. If you make every effort to please him, the result will, most certainly, be exactly what you desire.
I don’t know for sure how weighty my prayers are in the sight of God, when it concerns praying for someone in your condition. But I truly believe He will honor my prayers because off your honesty. God desires, more than human words can express, how much He needs people like you to need Him. Yes, God is a needy God, and desires every human being on this earth to need Him in return. This may sound like blasphemy to say that God needs. If He didn’t need us to be in His company, I would sign off as one of His disciples. Then what is the reason for God wanting us to be with Him? Just for the hell of it. No thanks.
Also, I ask others who have a close relationship with God through Jesus Christ to prayer for you. But mainly the ball is in your court. You can and will love as God desires. Amen
Thankyou, your words have maybe hit a little nerve somewhere, and you say you are praying for me, there comes a big thankyou, you would be the only one doing this for me. Question, why do christians ask God for things like money, cars, a wife, or husband, a better job,, I dont believe that God does these kind of things, does the Bible say that God will give someone a wife, no it does not, it says, he who soever findth a wife findth a good thing, he also findth favor with the Lord,the only thing I ever asked God for, is to forgive my sins, and thats it nothing more.I have no wife, no car, very little money, and a low paying job, I am content with what I have and dont have, I believe that God is not interested in material things, only spiritual things that are in line with his will. Thankyou Al Thinker
"If a person that claims to be a Disciple of Christ and can’t quit smoking;it is indicative that the smokers relationship with Christ is faltering"
That's really a SILLY statement to make Al Thinker, and if you know as much as you claim to know, you'll know why!
Anonymous, sometimes God allows thorns in our flesh to remain. If we were all perfect, we wouldn't need or depend on God for anything. NO ONE is or will ever be perfect! But what is important is what's in your heart. Forget about those false Christians. Your realationship with Jesus is personal, one on one. Christ is the only one you really need to fear. He knows your heart, your thoughts, your needs, your fears, and the thorns in your flesh that He put there for reasons we don't understand. Weather you smoke or don't smoke isn't going to entend your life by one second. God alone knows the appointed time for you to be taken home. Most of the people that quit/or don't smoke think they will live longer. They put their faith in man and not God. Yes, it says that the body is a temple, but true faith comes from the heart, and only He knows if you're doing and giving your best. Read your Bible, like "the Life application study Bible". It's NIV not KJV but it easy to understand and helps to explain and gives you food for thought. And you're right about God's blessings.
Al Thinker, you still have an excellent blog. I just didn't agree with that knock. What is faith and where does it come from? Not the body. Take care and God Bless.
I disagree with what this person has stated, smoking is a thorn, i dont think so, and God makes people smoke, i dont think so, niv, kjv, i dont think so, to me these bibles are wrong,
Rev. 22 any man who adds or takes away, if or when i do read the bible it is the authorized version 1611 to me the 1611 is the closes we have on the truth,her we have a choice, milk or meat. thankyou for your concerns, but you sir maybe the type of christian that i have problems with, i have read all the versions, and the old king james is my choice.
Anonymous, thanks for your comments. On this one concerning worldy thngs, we are on the same page. Expect things to happen in your live, You are in better shape then you let on. I will continue to pray for you if you desire me to. althinker
Dear Anonymous, thanks for your comments. In response to the issue of Christians smoking, this is my vantage point: From your comments, I am assuming you are in favor of every genuine disciple of Christ (one who is disciplined) take-up the habit of smoking. Do you realize everything a person does, good, bad or otherwise is an experiment/example for others to try? Example: Some may be thinking: “If he/she is a Christian and smokes, that means I can/should smoke.” You see what I mean?
An apparatus as complex as the human being, like all other intricate equipment, needs detail instructions on how to make it operated correctly and efficiently. The New Testament is the instruction book for all genuine Christians. Evidently, you are not a student of the Bible.
I am not picking on smoking per se; As a young man, I was a smoker for 12 years. I know first hand the grip/power nicotine has over millions. I mentioned it because I was responding to a comment another person made concerning smoking. To complete the thought: anything we do that harms the body, will inadvertently harm the brain. We humans engage in dozens of activities that are harmful to our bodies and brains. I don’t have to mention them, we hear them on the news media quite often. Because of their subtle implications, they are no, no’s for any followers of Christ.
Genuine Christians have but one role-model, and that is Jesus Christ. The New Testament gives us more than six verses stating that fact. I will present only one: The apostle Paul speaking: 1st Corinthians 11-1. “Follow my example, as I follow Christ.”
Concerning your comment, “no one is perfect” please read post # 181: “Christian Perfection” The New Testament speaks loudly, exclaiming “We all should/must have but one holy-grail: to make every effort to continually act and believe we actually are ‘clones-of-Christ-in-the-making.’How can anyone disappoint Jesus Christ with that type of attitude?
Oh, what a privilege it is to work for God through Jesus Christ. Instead of doing as little as possible to promote the cause of Christ, we MUST obey and adhere to all that is commanded in the Bible, by doing all that is humanly possible. Click on the archives, October 2006, # 170: “Crimes in Christ’s Name: Exposed.” God bless you and yours.
Anonymous, thanks for your comments on which Bible to read. You must remember, there have been several ancient manuscripts found after 1611 which shead much light on the accuracy of certain verses. Thanks. Try one of the newer versions. You will be blessed. althinker
Al, I see what the problem is here, if you sir cannot understand what I said, how is it possible to understand what the books says, please read it again, where did I suggest that christians take up the habit, I ask are we going to heaven or hell, so to speak, and thats it, your answer for that one is useless, Al and so where did I tell or say what Bible people should read ? you stayed away from Rev. 22 on that one ? it is in the NT all I said was MY CHOICE and why, Al or may I say bro I really dont want to say this, but I gotta, you sir just might not be as good as you think you are.I believe that the OT and the NT sould be put together to come up with truth, if you are only OT I guess you are probaly Jewish, and if you are only NT I guess you are Al Thinker, until next time Bro.
The NIV Bible is a good starter Bible for a baby Christians. Then maybe move on to KJV. Then if you really want more, how about all the books that were not included in The Bible. Also the dead sea scrolls. There's so much to learn and understand. Jesus put it all so simple. But even as a mature Christian of eleven years, I'm always finding out more, reading more and understanding more. The OT is just as important as the NT, especially for the Christian. The OT validates everything in the NT. How can seasoned Christian warriors expect new Christians to understand the KJV, unless we have a good church to help them understand and guide them. And as we all know finding a "good" christian church is getting harder and harder. As long as any person is trying to get closer to God, that's a start and good enough for me. They will grow in their faith, and God will direct them.
I agree with what this person has stated,these new versions are the right bibles to start with for all baby christians on milk, like I said I have read them all, so a new question now, why stay on milk, for years I stayed with them and organized relidgon, they show yout how to understand the 1611, maybe thats why they are here, God knows how to fix what man has messed up on,if a new christian picks up the 1611 and reads , he will shut it before long and say nope thats to tough to hard,to me, thats God, tough, hard, serious and the truth, is the 1611 perfect, no it is not,easter is in it when it should be passover, there is lots of mistakes, but a mistake is not the same as a lie, Satan has to mess up the truth as much as he can his hand is at work in all versions through man, God wants us to know and see this,do you think God would make this easy for us, I dont think so, but Satan will,one thing I do know, you cannot wheel and deal with God, his standards for humanity are not negoiable, its his way or Satans hiway,
Anonymous # 1, Please don't waste my time and the time of other bloggers; go to another site that tickles your pink; this one is not for people like you. God bless
Anonymous #2. Thanks for your opinion. I disagree. althinker
Anonymous #3, I thought I heard it all until now. There are at least two types of holybull: the type that deceives and the type that is stupidity. Guess which one is yours? althinker
Al, may I ask what are people like me, and who are these people.
Anonymous, That is a mystery for all who don't belong to Jesus Christ.
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