Focus today is on the divine command to love, and more on whether all Christian believers must die on the cross. A “Yahoo! Answers” writer using the ID “Harold” (Level 3 with 1,511 points, a member since June 24, 2009) posted the following:
Jesus said to love your enemies; how come no one follow his commandment?
THE BATTLE AXE: Death Has Been Transformed (05/09/2013)—(6.) The life and work of Christ also has established knowledge of death as a divine tool used in support of holiness, law, faith, eternal life, immortality, incorruption, and righteousness. Rather than the end of ones being, death through baptism signifies the beginning of new life. While the ministry on earth of Jesus Christ did include his raising the dead, Jesus did not alter the effect and physical process of death. Where life process (e.g., circulation, elimination, respiration) that must go on as continuous and cyclic is interrupted or shut down, damage to organs and tissue may become irreversible, and poisons may accumulate that block further functioning, recovery and regeneration. Once emotional, mental and spiritual function all cease, ones mortality is completed. Jesus has demonstrated resurrection, and clarified the divine processes and sacred purposes of judgment, including the second death. See 2nd Timothy 1: 7-10 and Romans 6: 1-23, King James Version. (7.) The death of Jesus upon the cross was to portray sacred operations that included atonement, obedience, offering, purification, and redemption. Jesus served as a living sacrifice that was holy, sinless, and filled with the divine instrument of blood that conveyed the substance of human life and spirit. Because the need of mankind has been met by a single, eternal act of GOD, there is no need that all believers die upon the cross. However, every believer is to identify with Jesus, and understand his life, ministry, death, resurrection, purpose, and Second Coming. See Romans 6: 10-12, Galatians 2: 16-21, 2nd Timothy 2: 11-13 and 2nd Timothy 4: 1-5, KJV.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: 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. And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away. Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 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; 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. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. (Matthew 5: 38-48, King James Version)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: A GOD of Love? (05/07/2013); Commanding the Storm? (05/08/2013); Evidence of the Unseen Spirit? (04/09/2013); A Guide to Salvation (04/10/2013); My Brother’s Keeper? (04/05/2013); Issues for Children’s Church? (04/06/2013); The Love of GOD (03/03/2013); Our Need for a Son (03/04/2013)
Harold, here are some thoughts you might find useful as you complete your understanding of how created beings and living creatures may experience and show divine love:
(1.) As an aspect of divinity, love consists in more than affection, attraction, and carnal feelings. Sacred content from the person of GOD (such as faith, humility, love, joy, wisdom and wrath against sin) is invisible to those who lack the imparted, indwelling Spirit of Christ. For many our human concepts of love center upon association, exchange and various material, sexual and social themes. Christian believers are not required to lust after, or have sex with their every enemy, nor are believers always required to behave as if brain dead whenever they are insulted or attacked with violence. (To respond as a martyr, and quietly surrender ones spouse and children to bears or lions in the arena is only one of many possibilities for Christians.)
(2.) There are many obedient to Christ, however, we are not to wear a flashing neon sign to draw attention to ourselves. Self-justification, self-promotion, and showing-off are rarely useful when sharing the Gospel. Every believer should experience GOD’s revelation of himself by discovery, discernment and direct recognition (we say, without being told) because human affirmation of the truth is by realization of what is inarguable and self-evident.
(3.) In the same way a person knows the unseen force of wind is present by its action upon the tree tops, a kite, a piece of trash, a cloud, divine substance must be realized through operations of the Holy Spirit upon the lives and understanding of created beings and living creatures as well as upon material and physical objects. Where you can see the effects and results of spirit presence (like my writing this response to a stranger), you can begin to know the love of GOD in the terms of a fellow believer.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Among Christians destroying enemies may be called “killing them with kindness” or purification (i.e., heaping hot coals upon their heads). Enemies are to be eliminated by converting them into friends through courtesy, forgiveness, generosity, godliness, humble service, and respect. See Proverbs 25: 21-22 and Romans 12: 19-21, KJV.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
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