CAN WE COMMAND LOVE?
Welcome to another study from God’s Word.
WE often hear people in our world today say that love cannot be commanded. Is this a true statement? Can we command love? The answer is yes; The answer is No. It is simply a matter of what kind of love you are talking about.
In the New Testament we find two main words for love in the Greek language; 'agapao' and 'phileo' (both are verbs, or words requiring action). 'Agapao' becomes a noun in the well-known word, 'AGAPÉ'. On the other hand, we find no noun for phileo love (it is interesting that noun spin-offs of phileo are seen in words translated "friend" and "kiss").
Agapao (AGAPÉ) love involves the intellect and the will; it involves esteem and purpose; it involves choice. However, phileo love is the love of natural inclination; it is more instinctive; it is the love of emotion. It is spontaneous; it is involuntary; it just seems to happen due to personalities and interests.
Therefore, 'agapao' love (involving the intellect and the will) can be commanded, and it is commanded (as in the great commandment, loving our enemies, and elsewhere throughout the New Testament). But when it comes to phileo love, in its basic inherent meaning, it is not commanded (except indirectly). It is more of a natural and spontaneous response; it just happens.
We are to love (agapao) our enemies, but it is hard to be emotional, initially, about it (phileo). We can have high esteem (agapao) for them (in the sense of respecting God’s image in them and wishing them well, and praying for them as well) and, at the same time, not even 'like' (phileo) them (it would be hard to be emotional about it in the beginning).
Can love be commanded? Yes; and No. I believe that no matter which love ((AGAPÉ or Phileo) we have first for an individual, they should both lead to the other and ultimately to a deeper relationship with God and Christ.
God bless until our next time together.......
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
UNITY? YES, BUT ON TRUTH ONLY!!
There is a book with the title “Union in Truth”. The restoration plea is about unity—but any unity MUST be based in TRUTH! So many, even within the churches of Christ and Christians Churches, have placed all their emphasis on unity and left out truth, or left out some portion of the truth! It has gotten so bad, that when a church of Christ places a strong emphasis on TRUTH they are considered as being divisive and legalistic! Believe me, I have heard all those labels as they have been thrown at me and others! Some would even argue that a church that stands solidly on the Biblical plan doesn’t want unity! I can speak for most, if not all, who love The Truth when I say that we love unity. We love the unity we have as churches of Christ when we have revival or evangelistic meetings! It is a great time of fellowship with brothers and sisters in Christ!
Biblical unity, though, MUST ALWAYS be based on the truth of Scripture. Division does not happen when the truth is being taught and preached. Division comes when something is taught or practiced that goes against the Scriptures. So, in reality, it is not the truth that divides the church—it is false teaching!
I have always said, at least since I was taught well, that I am not non-denominational, I am anti-denominational. The very word “denomination” means to divide. When used in religious circles, denomination means: “a religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its beliefs and practices” (according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary). I thought the definition describes denominationalism well. But I also thought about how sad it is . . . “congregations are united in their adherence to ITS beliefs and practices”. In true Bilical worship a person does not adhere to OUR beliefs and practices—you simply follow the Bible and the Bible only! That is the plea of the church that Christ founded. Remember the old slogan: No creed but Christ; No book but the Bible!
You see, it is truth that unites! It is truth that brings true biblical fellowship! This is the type of unity that we are called to protect. (Ephesians 4).
When I consider things happening in the church of Christ, I have to wonder what happened to the plea to throw off all denominational names and creeds and be simply Christians. I know many who came out of denominationalism—they have NO desire to ever go back since they were convinced of The Truth. In fact, I would just love it if all those in our entire world would simply follow the Bible and the Bible only and be BIBLE only Christians!
In one way I can relate with what Pliny wrote in a letter to Trajan about the impact Christians had upon some of the places he visited. About 50 years after the death of Jesus, he wrote that Christians have “pervaded not merely the cities but the villages and country places, so that the temples were nearly deserted.” The Christians had been SO strong that the pagan temples were nearly closed!
Here is where I relate to Pliny: My desire and plea is that the churches of Christ can stand so solidly on the Bible that any denomination or church not following the God given, Bible plan would desert their teachings and simply become Christians! That is my prayer for our world! Unity, yes, only when based on truth!
Biblical unity, though, MUST ALWAYS be based on the truth of Scripture. Division does not happen when the truth is being taught and preached. Division comes when something is taught or practiced that goes against the Scriptures. So, in reality, it is not the truth that divides the church—it is false teaching!
I have always said, at least since I was taught well, that I am not non-denominational, I am anti-denominational. The very word “denomination” means to divide. When used in religious circles, denomination means: “a religious organization whose congregations are united in their adherence to its beliefs and practices” (according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary). I thought the definition describes denominationalism well. But I also thought about how sad it is . . . “congregations are united in their adherence to ITS beliefs and practices”. In true Bilical worship a person does not adhere to OUR beliefs and practices—you simply follow the Bible and the Bible only! That is the plea of the church that Christ founded. Remember the old slogan: No creed but Christ; No book but the Bible!
You see, it is truth that unites! It is truth that brings true biblical fellowship! This is the type of unity that we are called to protect. (Ephesians 4).
When I consider things happening in the church of Christ, I have to wonder what happened to the plea to throw off all denominational names and creeds and be simply Christians. I know many who came out of denominationalism—they have NO desire to ever go back since they were convinced of The Truth. In fact, I would just love it if all those in our entire world would simply follow the Bible and the Bible only and be BIBLE only Christians!
In one way I can relate with what Pliny wrote in a letter to Trajan about the impact Christians had upon some of the places he visited. About 50 years after the death of Jesus, he wrote that Christians have “pervaded not merely the cities but the villages and country places, so that the temples were nearly deserted.” The Christians had been SO strong that the pagan temples were nearly closed!
Here is where I relate to Pliny: My desire and plea is that the churches of Christ can stand so solidly on the Bible that any denomination or church not following the God given, Bible plan would desert their teachings and simply become Christians! That is my prayer for our world! Unity, yes, only when based on truth!
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