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Kevin Giles review of a recent Equal and Complementary seminar

The following link is to a google article by well known scholar Kevin Giles who calls himself a non-hierarchical complementarian (I consider myself the same).  In this article Giles is critiquing the teachings of some hierarchical complementarians who claim an interpretation of Scripture that is gender biased toward male dominance in church and home.  I find Giles review of their seminar very informative.

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B58yzgL3ovUUZmFiNTMyMjktOTg2MS00YWRlLTljOTktYjE4YjgxM2M5YTFm&sort=name&layout=list&num=50

I will be interested in any questions and comments regarding what Giles has to say on this.

Be Willing to Be Persuaded

Hebrews Chapter 13 is an interesting chapter. It reminds the reader to look, observe, remember, and apply good proper behavior to ones life. Verses 7-9 and 17-18 are the tied together perhaps book-ending what is in-between, somewhat defining how we approach and apply what we are observing and remembering.

Verse 7 tells us to remember those who lead us in teaching the Scriptures. Remembering has already been admonished in verse 3 as part of letting brotherly love continue, which is closed with verse 5’s admonition to let our conduct by without covetousness. So, remembering has already been tied with observing so as to adjust our own behavior towards godliness.

OK, so the implications are that we are to remember and observe our leaders, but we are not to following their teachings (further defined in verse 9) until we consider the outcome of their conduct. In other words we must observe how they live out their teachings, consider its ramifications before wholeheartedly taking it into our own behavior. This carefulness in following what our leaders teach is emphasized by mentioning that Christ (who is Truth embodied) is the same and does not change, AND that we must not be carried away by strange teachings. Our hearts must be established on grace, we must eat the spiritual foods that profit our soul. One way to see that is by observing how teachings (and we must agree that the body of Christ has many diverse teachings) flesh out in the lives of those who teach and believe them.

Then in verse 17 we have an interesting word that had it been translated better (difficult word though) I believe it would read: “be willing to be persuaded by your leaders and be submissive …..”. The Greek word for “obey” (upakouo) is not there. Instead we have peithomai or a derivative.

The Greek word (3982) "peitho" means:

1) persuade
a) to persuade, that is, to induce one by words to believe
b) to make friends of, to win one's favor, to gain one's good will, or to seek to win one, to strive to please one
c) to tranquilize
d) to persuade unto, that is, to move or induce one to persuasion to do something
2) be persuaded
a) to be persuaded, to suffer oneself to be persuaded; to be induced to believe: to have faith (in a thing)
1) to believe
2) to be persuaded of a thing concerning a person
b) to listen to, to obey, to yield to, to comply with
3) to trust, to have confidence, to be confident

In Classical Greek students were taught that the fundamental meaning of the word pietho was to persuade (in the active voice), or be persuaded (in the passive, or middle voice).This is not claiming that this verb can never be translated obey, but is saying that even in those cases, the word likely has overtones of doing such and such BECAUSE one is persuaded. In the New Testament the idea of persuasion and related ideas are frequently present when the verb is used, as in the very next verse, Hebrews 13:18, with the idea of confidence (because one is persuaded).

Thus, we have this whole section closing with the idea of being willing, allowing for the possibility of, being persuaded of what is being taught by our leaders. And how do we allow them to persuade us, by observing and remembering how they live out their beliefs. This is further drummed in by verse 18 which says that we are to pray for the author(s) of the epistle (implying leaders and teachers perhaps) because they are living honorably in a good conscience.

It is unfortunate that many have helicoptered verse 7 and 17 out of the context of this chapter and used it to demand that the laity give somewhat blind obedience to their clergy rather than properly separating honor and respect from blind obedience. We are to honor and respect those who have dedicated their lives to serve the body of Christ but we are to follow what proves to be truth, both by searching the Scriptures (Acts 17:10-12) and by observing how they live what they teach.

In Conclusion: the implication of verses 7-9 and 17-19 are to test what is being said against real life (the real life of the leaders living out their beliefs) , in order to not be led about by strange doctrines. Sometimes, it’s difficult to tell what our leaders really mean until we see how they apply it in their lives. This of course does not mean we ONLY follow our leaders, and do not read Scripture and through prayer and research figure things out for ourselves. We must keep our hearing tuned like donkeys ears swivel to grab the sound, so that we eagerly take in what is being said by our leaders respecting their sincere devotion to God and Scripture. Observing, how they live out their beliefs is another way to fine tune what they believe. But, it is imperative that we only trust Scripture as the final authority and like the Bereans search the Scriptures to see if what is being said is really in Scripture and as described by our leaders. 

I believe that when we do this, when we are diligent to hear, willing to be persuaded, diligent to research the Scriptures for ourselves like the Bereans, we will experience a deeper inner walk with God.

The Violence of Opposite poles: Sin and Holiness

Sin is a horrible destructive element mere words can barely explain. It is drastically different than the Holiness that the Trinity contain. We barely understand the holiness, the purity, the perfect Love, the wisdom, the mercy that is contained in God. God is perfectly just, there is not one speck of injustice in Him. And He loves us, creating us in His image. I don't know how He was able to endure Adam and Eve's sinning, knowing the destruction their choices would reap. But He also knew that it was the only path that would produce a free willed choosing by some, of God's Way in the end. The pain God must endure constantly watching His most loved creation destroy itself of its own free choice, must be unbearable on human standards.

And then to heap pain upon pain, God had to do the unbelievable, and contain Himself in human flesh IN ORDER TO SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES of the sins brought upon humanity by Adam and Eve, and all those following who choose again and again to sin, turning from God and godly ways. By suffering the very presence of evil undeservedly, God was able to somehow make the sacrifice that would perfectly repel evil, that evil could not withstand, and then offer it to those willing to accept it. It was the first human's treacherous rebellion that brought sin into the rest of humanity and Christ’s perfect humanity that was able to repel it's consequences.

I sometimes wonder if we have the words to express what happened on the cross. Spiritually speaking it was likely something like the force of opposite magnetic poles. Evil and holiness cannot cohabit. It is not possible. They may stand near each other as they do in this world, but they cannot unite. When Christ somehow miraculously took upon Himself the heavy burdensome sin of humanity, for a moment He experienced the separation and cried out "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?" I cannot conceive how that whole thing is possible either physically or spiritually. God is a lot more powerful than we give Him credit for I think. But that moment must have been a violent moment spiritually when taking upon Himself the full burden of sin, holiness HAD to depart. Evil and holiness cannot unite. And then it was done. Something else was created from that action. We call it a spiritual bridge, a way back to God. By accepting Christ’s sacrifice we can come into the presence of God and God can come unite within our very being. Now that really doesn’t follow known physical or spiritual ‘rules of creation’.

Even the rest of it is difficult to fully comprehend. I know one cannot kill God, so to me it makes sense that He resurrected Himself. Yet, it is still difficult to grasp that that moment now enables us to come to God and repent of our sin which Christ has now destroyed the power of over us. But we don't have to fully understand it to believe it and act upon it.

Father forgive us.

I HAD A DREAM....

I had a dream.  It was a dream about the grandness of humans in our variety.  We need to embrace the way that God has made us unique.  That grandness is needed because humans are the pinnacles, the high point, the finishing perfection of God’s creation.  We are more different in a more different way than any other creature that God created.  It is unfortunate that every group that we group ourselves in, every nation, every kind of difference that we have we use to try to separate ourselves from one another, each claiming that their ways and their differences are the preferred ones. The truth is that we need to embrace all our differences as grand, beautiful and deeply needed by all of humanity.  The truth is that our lives are less when we separate ourselves from one another, especially when we claim that we don’t need the differences.

Embracing differences has always been a theme of mine ever since I experienced first hand the cruelties of racial bashing as a teenager.  So it is not surprising that in this dream I was the champion of embracing differences.

The dream started with a woman in distress all crumpled up in physical and emotional pain beside her car next to a sidewalk in a basically empty area of town.  A group of us were attempting to talk to her and help her.  She just did not want to be consoled her inner pain was so great. 

Then an old dilapidated car stopped near by with some very large people from who knows where, and asked if they could help.  They looked something like large Samoans but not quite.  They were very different, so different that we could not categorize where they were from.  From some brief dialogue we could tell they were Christians like us.  But when I suggested we let them help, my group sort of turned their noses up and shook their heads as if they were scared of them.  When I saw their attitudes darkening I just jumped up and ran over to the car and invited them to help, explaining the situation as much as we knew.  As they walked toward the woman I could see they had a genuine love from God.

As dreams have a way of expanding in unexpected ways, my group of believers were Christians in ministry and pretty unhappy with me for inviting “strangers” to join us to help.  But in my mind the priority was that maybe they COULD help this woman whose life and very soul were at risk.

The next scene is that we are all walking through some YWAM base somewhere trying to see what could help this woman.  Unfortunately she was not responding as well as we had hoped.  But praiseworthy for us, we all stayed together to help this woman find her will to live and rejoice in life again.  Then we are traveling to different areas seemingly to find some clue to help this woman.  Finally, we ended up in a snow filled landscape by some not quite frozen waters.  We camped there and daily prayed and talked with God together with the woman listening, yet never quite finding her answer.

Then these very different Samoan (but not) type unique people with some very different ways about them took a more active part among us.  They shared with us some unique practices.  One of which was a bit astonishing.  They went to an area of the water that was shallower and used some tool to froth up the slushy water and then got in it jumping and splashing and stirring it up into soupy slush.  BRRRRRR!  To our surprise the woman was willing to experience this.  The biggest stranger seemed to have some empathetic understanding with her that she embraced.  She jumped in doing the same things that they did screaming at the cold, then crying, and then she dove under.  The big man was at the side waiting to jump in after her, but didn’t go in.  In a slight panic we waited and she came up out of the water crying but happy.  As we all rushed to help her get warm she shared with us that this was the experience that she needed in order to know that she wanted to live and that she was willing to live with God in Christ as her Savior.  Who would have thought?  We were amazed.

Waking up, I realized as I have many times, but yet I realized in a broader way how important our differences are and how much we need to receive from people their unique views and experiences of life.  God created us all with great love and care. Humans simply do best when we can shed our pride, our fears of differences, our claim to being better than others, and receive the messages from God that our different experiences of life bring.  God is much bigger than we can imagine.  He simply cannot share all that He is with one human being no matter how brilliant.  If we want to see and experience all of God then we need to receive the ministries and lives of all God’s peoples from all over the world, even those next door, OR maybe that woman sitting across from you in church.  :^)

How’s that for a dream!   :)

 

P.S.  comments welcome!

 

 

 

 

 

LIVING TEMPLES OF THE LIVING GOD

WE ARE A SPIRITUAL PEOPLE

We are spiritual people.  We need to participate in spiritual things in order to be happy in life and fulfilled in our souls.  Nothing in the world can take the place of God, who is Spirit, functioning in our lives.  God means for us to be the people that the world turns to for help when their hearts and souls are in pain. And there is much pain in life because of sin.  This is why we are born of water and of the Spirit. We are of the earth and we are also of the Spirit.  These two aspects need to be balanced.

 Because the Spirit of a Holy God dwells within believers we have access to understanding and wisdom that the world doesn’t have.  And because the Holy Spirit of God does dwell within us our liveliness depends upon us worshiping God from our hearts and minds in sincerity and truthfulness.

 John 4:24 God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”

 

Because of this we must pray for one another, and intercede for one another that God’s Will is done in all our lives.  The miracle of Christ is that He is both human and divine in a perfect balance.  Jesus contained His power in order to walk and fellowship among us as human. We need to expand our spirituality in order to walk like Jesus among fellow humans.  Our belief will prove itself by our fruit.   Do your contributions to other’s lives produce good fruit in their lives. And what does that good fruit look life. This is important because we are to be known by our fruit. (Matt. 7:17-20/ Luke 6:43-45)

 Does your love of God produce the fruit of godly love in others?  Does it bring them to repentance or draw them closer to God in awe of God or do they run to God because of the pain you deposit in their lives.

While it is true that often we don’t know, because our contributions are in the form of seeds that will mature later.  Sometimes we do know and it is good to take stock of our effect upon others.  There are times we find ourselves caught in a cycle of bringing each other pain.  It’s important that we discontinue those cycles and share the blame.  Look at them as opportunities for God to mature, heal and bless.  (Gal. 5:22-26)

 As spiritual people we thrive when we are doing spiritual works of any sort.  Being spiritually minded is our source of liveliness and the peace that goes beyond our intellect. This is something we do best together by supporting one another and keeping an eye out for the best interest of others.  (Phil. 2:1-4, Eph. 5:17-21)

We all discover at some point that in order to actually live as spiritual people we need help.  For this reason before Jesus ascended into heaven he breathed the Holy Spirit upon the disciples. (John 20:22)  And in that special time of their first gathering together on the day of Pentecost, God released the manifestations of the Holy Spirit in their lives enabling them to praise and worship God together and admonish one another toward holiness in other languages. (Acts 2:1-18) Because of what Peter spoke it is likely that some were prophesying as well.  In effect because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within all true believers, all believers are able to be moved by God in spiritual manifestations that God uses to help us live as spiritual people. WE HELP ONE ANOTHER. We are an interdependent body.  We are meant to allow God to use these gifts to help each other and also to minister to the world of unbelievers. God does the work of saving unbelievers. Our job is to allow Him to work through us. In fact we would do well to do more that allow God to use us.  We would do well if we strongly beseeched and implored God to use us in whatever God is busy with whereever we are. (Lk 11:9-13)

 

Luke 11:“11 If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? 12 Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!”

 

 

 

 

The use of the word "man" in Scripture

Sometimes we forget that our Bibles are in a different language than the original writings, and as such are sometimes not perfect examples of the original. One discrepancy that stands out in 1 Tim. 3 is that in English it sounds like everything is being addressed to men. This is because the use of the word 'man' used to refer both to men and women as well as only to men. Today it is used this way less and some Bibles are outdated in still using the word 'man' as a default. Also, often the word 'man' is inserted because in English it doesn't seem to read naturally without it, even though in the original there is no such word because the sentence is meant inclusively.

In 1 Tim. 3, the whole chapter and all the examples are used inclusively toward anyone, except for the one part in verse 2 (the idiom 'one woman man', which is an inclusive idiom) and in verse twelve where it is addressed specifically toward women. Some translate gune as wives in vs. 12 but that is purely interpretive (and erroneously in this instance) because the word gune is used simply for women regardless of their marital status. So it can be used for wife as well. But technically it means women. Those who want to maintain an attitude of male dominance in the church want to hold all ministry of importance for men, and therefore they will try to maintain that vs 12 is for deacons' wives, not women deacons. But then they must contend with Romans 16 where Phoebe is a deacon of the church of Cenchrea.

In cases like that it helps to apply the whole Bible.  We can see throughout the Old Testament that God used women as prophets, a Judge, and in other important ways.  To this day Esther has a special day of celebration among Jews because her wisdom and obedience to God saved the nation of Israel.  In the OT the Prophet of the nation was the most authoritative and responsible position of influence.   The Judge of the nation and the High Priest were the next most responsible and authoritative ministries. Deborah was both Prophet of the era and Judge of the Nation. When we start to quibble about who can do what we tend to put words in God's mouth that He never said.  The fact that there are more men used in highly responsible callings does not mean God does not want to use women or that women shouldn't be used.  Women were always simply less available because of their life responsibilities. The same is true today.  Most wives have little time and energy left for other pursuits because of duties of family.  Those who do have the time and energy, like Deborah who was both wife and mother, should be gladly received.

 

NOTE:  It is unfortunate, but it is not easy for the average reader today to see whether the greek has been accurately conveyed regarding the use of "man" in the Bible.  If one keeps in mind that up until the last 40-50 years, the word 'man' was used interchangeably for men and for men and women, it helps a lot.  

 

One Woman man ....

Someone asked me about the "husband of one wife" translation of 1 Tim. 3:2.  The actual wording in Greek is "one woman man". My thoughts on the 'one woman man' controversy of 1 Tim. 3 seem pretty plain to me.  :) 

Paul is addressing this section to anyone (tis) who desires, thus right up front this is an admonition directed to anyone who desires a certain work.  The overall list is one of personal character.  Taking into consideration that the masculine is a default when one is addressing an unknown or general crowd (we don't really address the unknowns as neutered), then Phillip Payne (author of Man and Woman, One in Christ) seems right on the mark of interpreting the idiom of 'one woman man' as pertaining to 'one spouse humans'.  We can further interpret that as a call to faithfulness in relationships. 

This seems more accurate to me because then the call of faithfulness fits in with a Hebrew poetic call (in vs. 3:1) of:  faithful is the saying….. an overseer then must be blameless,  a faithful spouse, etc.  In addition this also fits right in with the rest of the list as a personal point of godly, faithful, moral character.

 

We really need to not insert physical requirements into Scripture when we know that God accepts all who come to Him and as well calls us all to be like Him and do the works that He did and more. 

CATEGORIES OF MINISTERING —— ROMANS 12:6-8

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. NKJV

6 And having gifts, different according to the grace that was given to us; whether prophecy -- `According to the proportion of faith!'7 or ministration -- `In the ministration!' or he who is teaching -- `In the teaching!' 8 or he who is exhorting -- `In the exhortation!' he who is sharing -- `In simplicity!' he who is leading -- `In diligence?' he who is doing kindness -- `In cheerfulness.' YLT

6 Having gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them: [He whose gift is] prophecy, [let him prophesy] according to the proportion of his faith;7 [He whose gift is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his teaching;8 He who exhorts (encourages), to his exhortation; he who contributes, let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends, with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine cheerfulness and joyful eagerness. AMP

 

GIFTS =  charismata —  manifestations, grace-effects.

Giftings of the Holy Spirit are not something that once given we can do with as we wish, operate in at our whim and control, direct, use at our discretion.  They are evidences of the Holy Spirit’s presence in our lives.  They are the means through which God moves through us at His discretion.  Furthermore, God gives His grace effects to whomsoever He wishes, when and how He deems is best.  We have little to say about it other than yes and no and/or arguing that that gift is what we want or should be doing.  Ultimately God knows best.  As for others, we have nothing at all to say about it other than whether or not we are going to lend our support to their growth in their giftings.  If we do not lend our support, or if we actively impede another from growing in his/her giftings, we are working against God instead of with God.  It’s always better to work with God.  1 Pe. 4:10, 1 Cor. 12:4-5, 1 Cor. 7:7

In this section of Scripture Paul is showing how with our differing types of ministering we blend into one body.  By saying that we belong to one another (kata— are attached to) he is noting that we affect one another and also that we need one another.   Paul is not here listing specific manifestations of what we might consider offices/minisries but rather categories and/or leanings in a sort of representative listing, only two of which are found in other lists (prophesy and teaching).

Paul points out 3 emphases:  1)  we all have giftings  2)  the giftings vary among us  3)  all of these spiritual manifestations come from God.   It is also of note that  A)  several of these leanings are qualities we should as Christians exemplify (serving, encouraging, giving, showing mercy);  B) when they become spiritual giftings they become a focus or passion of our life as a Christian.

 

WHAT IS YOUR PASSION…….

 

Prophesying

What prophesying is not is the modern psychic reading or seeing of future events.  Literally prophesying is speaking the mind of God, whether in a futuristic foretelling of something, in a present observation of what God is wanting, expressing God’s heart or judgements,  or similar. A word from the Holy Spirit can be long or short, a type of preaching, teaching, exhorting.  The purpose is always to serve God, minister to the church and not exalt self.

Serving—ministry

This is not the ministry of a deacon.  The word deacon is a transliteration of the Greek diakonos.  There was no idea of office.  It means ministering and/or serving.  The concept is to serve throughout in whatever way is needed.  All the apostles and co-workers were called diakonos no matter what their specific ministry might end up being.  This can practically end up being a wide range of services in churches from garden work to youth work,  children’s ministry, outreach events, office work, cleaning,  assisting and supporting other’s in their ministry, etc.  It is a giving of oneself wholly to the task at hand.

Teaching

What this is not is a desire to talk and share.  In our day and age it is popular to want to be able to quote Scripture and sound like one is knowledgeable.  We are able to do this without a HS unction or anointing to teach.

This category is also mentioned in the ‘fivefold ministries (Ephe. 4)  and general charismata (1 Cor. 12).  It is one of the criteria for leadership in 1 Tim. 3.   Often those who have a general focus of teaching, also have a specific anointing in teaching and sometimes end up with specific ministries of teaching and are part of the five-fold leadership ministries for the building up of the church.  Generally, it can be simply that one tends to dig into the Word in a scholarly fashion.  Teaching is not only about speaking but is accompanied with a desire to study and research.  Acts 17:11

Encouraging—Exhorting

Although the word includes comfort and consolation it also includes exhorting and admonishing.  It carries the pastoral purpose of helping Christians live out their obedience to the gospel.  This focus is most often within a pastoral/shepherd’s gifting but can also be within the dynamics of the prophetic and teaching giftings.  Actually, it can be a focus of any of the five-fold ministries.

The difference between teaching and exhorting is that exhortation has the specific aim of encouraging Christians to live out their obedience to the gospel.  Heb. 3:13

Sharing—Contributing To The Needs Of Others

This is not about money, or an office in the church.  This is one who is generally inclined to give of personal time, money, and skills to those who are in need.  This is a crucial passion for the church.  Time is so short these days.  Perhaps, this is why Paul admonishes such a gifted person to share generously and liberally in the sense of focusing on others rather than self.  Acts 2:44-45, Acts 4:32-34

Leadership

This is not the type of leadership that resembles modern corporate institutions where there is a hierarchy of directives and permissions that go up and down a ladder of authority.

This is an unusual word and you will find different interpretations in different translations.  It has to do with both standing before and overseeing, as well as maintaining order, and having been one who has gone before and now steps ahead to guide others in the right directions.  It is from proistano or proistemi and the literal meaning is “stand before”.  Such a person has a deep passion for wanting to see the people of God moving properly toward God.  Often those with this focus will end up as elders or overseers when they have become a mature Christian or even what some churches consider today as deacons.  Their primary passion is to guide, direct and point toward God in whatever way God gives them (ministries, prophetic and teaching giftings,  serving, etc.)  1 Thess. 5:12, 1 Tim. 5:17, 1 Tim. 3:12

Showing Mercy

While this has elements of Contributing To The Needs Of Others, it is wider in that it expands to helping people in difficult circumstances whether economic, illness, old age, depression, or any other misfortune.  In the midst of difficulties, one who can minister help with cheerfulness and without judgment or criticism is a gold mine for the body of believers.

 

SO, the question is again what is your passion as an individual member of the Body of Christ.  As a Christian we are to live for Christ.  Our lives are no longer just for ourselves and our own small section of the universe.  We as believers are now part of a bigger picture.  And this picture of living IN Christ is much more fulfilling, empowering, and healing than living only for ourselves, our family and our friends.  Whatever we do as Christians should affect others positively.  Of course, it’s not that easy, which is why we need each other and thus need to grow into the person that God had in mind when He mixed up our genes at the moment of conception.  Each believer in Christ is unique and has a unique contribution to give to the whole.  I pray that those who are reading this will contemplate these things and have some deep dialogue with our Lord about it.  :)

 

What is the most important skill to learn?

How do we decide what is our primary aim in attitude and character?  Perhaps, consider Jesus words.  Jesus said to Nicodemus, a leader and teacher of the Jews, "“Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  Jesus clarified that statement by saying that we need to be born of the spirit and become spiritual people, people who follow the Spirit as the HS leads. We must love the light of God and His Ways rather than the darkness of sin.

In another place one of the Jewish Scribes asked Jesus which was the first and greatest commandment of all.  Jesus quoted from Deut. 6:4-5.  

"Mark 12: 29  “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. ³⁰ And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’This is the first commandment ³¹ And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’There is no other commandment greater than these.” 

OK, so we see that loving God and loving our neighbor is actually THE most important attitude and character trait to learn and live.  So why do so many view learning to love as boring spiritual discussion. Perhaps, we need our minds renewed.

Romans 12:¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

OK, so we need to live by the Spirit, and love God and humanity.  We do this by presenting our whole being (body, mind and spirit) to God so that He can realign our thinking and our behavior.

So perhaps the reason that the concept of love as the primary aim in Christian behavior as being mushy not intellectual enough, not authoritative and important enough, is because our minds are tainted with the ways of the world.  In actuality I believe godly love such as the kinds that God has for us require more from us than any other pursuit that humans can think of.  It is unequivocably the most difficult assignment of our lives.  Few achieve it well.  Many can achieve it favorably.  

Can you?  Will you consider making this a primary aim in your Christian walk?

1 Cor. 13:5 and behaving rudely

When Paul says that love does not behave rudely, he means much more than an occasional unkind word although that is included. He is referring to speech, actions, attitude and all ways we affect another with our presence.  What is inside will manifest itself within our persona.  If our thoughts of another are demeaning or indecent, our attitude can come through our words and actions. Often when we don't like someone we put on a smiling face and give them a sweet greeting.  What else can we do??  Well, according to Paul, we need to learn to love our fellow believers in the same way that Christ loves us (Ephe. 5:1-2/Phil. 2:1-4) even though we may not like them at this point in time.

These are lessons that we MUST strive to accomplish if we expect the Holy Spirit to move through us effectively in the manifestations of the Holy Spirit. As we seek to become the people/person God has created and called us to be, we WILL accomplish this.  We Will mature slowly step by step into the fullness of maturity as the person of Christ.  Let us all strive to be like HIM!, the anointed ONE of God, THE MESSIAH, the God Man (both Divine and perfect Human).