OK, there was some controversy about the consequences of not loving God. But this one should be easy. Should be.
Does God demand that we love Him?
By "demand" I mean "require" or "command". It is mandatory, in other words. Ignore what consequences (if any) there will be for disobeying, or how the consequences (if any) will come about. The question is what it is, and nothing else. Oh, and it shouldn't matter what my "angle" is! It's a very simple question, and I think I've seen it answered many times on this forum, anyway. Just want to get it on record.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
In the Old Testament (Old Covenant), God gave Moses the ten commandments written
in stone. (representing stony/hard hearts. The law was added for trangressions until the
"Seed", Jesus Christ should come to whom the promise was made. The law commanded or
demanded!! But after the "Seed" came, and the Promise was received, and a heart of flesh given to us, we did not have to be "commanded/or forced" to love GOD. The LOVE
OF GOD came by the HOLY GHOST/Promise of the Father! The Love of GOD was shed
abroad in our hearts by the HOLY GHOST! Romans 5:5
What the Law could not do, the PROMISE of THE FATHER did for us! GOD IS LOVE!!
In the Old Testament (Old Covenant), God gave Moses the ten commandments written
in stone. (representing stony/hard hearts. The law was added for trangressions until the
"Seed", Jesus Christ should come to whom the promise was made. The law commanded or
demanded!! But after the "Seed" came, and the Promise was received, and a heart of flesh given to us, we did not have to be "commanded/or forced" to love GOD. The LOVE
OF GOD came by the HOLY GHOST/Promise of the Father! The Love of GOD was shed
abroad in our hearts by the HOLY GHOST! Romans 5:5
What the Law could not do, the PROMISE of THE FATHER did for us! GOD IS LOVE!!
Hugs,
Falla39
Thanks! Could this also be said of the other commandments? E.g., do we no longer have to be commanded not to commit adultery, or murder?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Thanks! Could this also be said of the other commandments? E.g., do we no longer have to be commanded not to commit adultery, or murder?
IF we love HIM with the love of GOD shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, we WILL KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS! We will not hate our brother, kill, steal, commit adultery, or any of the other commandments! Jesus said we would receive POWER AFTER that the HOLY GHOST IS come upon us. Power to live an overcoming life. To run a new lawn mower effectively, you should read the "instruction" book. You should have fuel and oil in it, among other things.
If you don't have POWER to live an overcoming life, SOMETHING IS MISSING! Check your "Instruction" Book, then go from there. Search me, O, God and see if there be any wicked way in me....! Create in me a clean heart, O, God....!
In my opinion Its a yes and no answer but for the sake of the poll I answered no!
Yes, we are commanded to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, body, and soul! But it is not something that He will force us to do!
Will there be consequences for not loving him? yep, theres gonna be hell to pay (no pun intended) but it is still something you will choose for yourself because He doesnt want forced worship but worship that is genuinely given!
He expects us to return the love he gives to us! Like any husband or wife... if you are gonna love someone you are gonna want them to love you back... in a sense you demand thier love because you give them yours but you know you cant force em too! And if they dont the consequence is separation from them. YOu may always love them but you know you cant be in a relationship if that love isnt returned!
so... those are my thoughts... hope they make sense!
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:It is time for us Christians, to face up to our responsibility for holiness. Too often we say we are “defeated” by this or that sin. No, we are not defeated; we are simply disobedient. It might be well if we stopped using the terms victory and defeat to describe our progress in holiness. Rather we should use the terms obedience and disobedience.
In my opinion Its a yes and no answer but for the sake of the poll I answered no!
Yes, we are commanded to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, body, and soul! But it is not something that He will force us to do!
Will there be consequences for not loving him? yep, theres gonna be hell to pay (no pun intended) but it is still something you will choose for yourself because He doesnt want forced worship but worship that is genuinely given!
He expects us to return the love he gives to us! Like any husband or wife... if you are gonna love someone you are gonna want them to love you back... in a sense you demand thier love because you give them yours but you know you cant force em too! And if they dont the consequence is separation from them. YOu may always love them but you know you cant be in a relationship if that love isnt returned!
so... those are my thoughts... hope they make sense!
The question said "demand", not "force". Guess it wasn't clear enough.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty