Today, thoughts are shared on divine love, the world, and how we understand the death of Jesus on the cross. Language and usages in the Bible often appear as “contradictions” because of multiple definitions and meanings for the same terms. Readers err when movements or shifts in focus occur that are subtle (i.e., have barely visible differences; include minute details), unannounced, and unseen. The writer at “Yahoo! Answers” using the ID “es 70” (Level 5 with 5,815 points, a member since July 29, 2012) posted the following:
Is this is a contradiction in the Bible (John 3:16 and 1 John 2:15)?
"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." John 3:16
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." 1 John 2:15
I'm a Christian and know that it isn't.
THE GOLDEN ARROW: But the LORD shall endure for ever: he hath prepared his throne for judgment. And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. (Psalms 9: 7-10, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: On Saying the Truth? (12/18/2014); What is Truth? (12/19/2014); No Contradictions? (01/15/2013); Accomplished in Christ? (01/16/2013); Contradictions? (09/21/2012); The Spirit by Measure (09/22/2012)
“es 70”, followers of Jesus Christ as Redeemer and Savior are encouraged to trust that, whenever we take up the Scriptures, through operations of the Holy Spirit, blood, correction, and truth from the cross are flowing to here and now. Where the holy writings appear to present language that annuls, cancels or replaces one reading for a specific text by another, it is because multiple meanings and uses are made of a single term. For example, “the law” may be used to speak of the covenant declared and audibly spoken by GOD to those who left Egypt with Moses. The same phrase also refers to the Ten Commandments (we say, the Decalogue), and its copies spoken of as “the book of the law.” More than this, the law is also the code of ceremonial and civil ordinances along with the outcomes of judgment to resolve disputes that were to be maintained by Israel as a covenant nation. This form of challenge is crucial to those “born again”, for it provides energy and focus for growth and becoming ripe for harvest from the earth as those mature in spirit.
The expression, “the world,” is used to speak of the full collection of objects in existence that serve as a divine focus. Included are the cosmos, all that has been emanated from divinity, created beings and living creatures (quick and dead) as well as the entire universe. Using the distinction that GOD has created the earth, mankind is to be seen as the creator of “the world,” a system for human communication, exchange, interaction, and survival. With this in view, “the world” becomes all those who are outside “the new testament in the blood of Jesus.” It is mankind’s world that “condemned Christ through the law,” represented in Rome that dominated the globe in its day. It is GOD’s world that the blood of Christ is shed to cleanse, heal, and restore.
Where we speak of “divine love” many aspects of understanding are involved. Thus, the same language or word may make reference to adding value in relationship, commitment, exclusive devotion, inseparable joining, obedience, oneness without sameness, self-sacrifice, shared or imparted substance, unselfishness, and union. The meaning one is to receive is determined by their discernment of eternal purposes, sacred operations, and divine content. Consider again how much of this is stated using language from the Bible:
(1.) 2nd John 6-9, King James Version (KJV): 6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
(2.) Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
(3.) 1st Timothy 3: 16, KJV: 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
There is far more to be said, understood, and spiritually taken in. (For example, (4.) Matthew 16: 25-27, KJV: 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
Washington, DC
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