Offensive Love
Did Jesus love? Did He love all of those that He came in contact with? He was loving at all times, is loving now and will be loving in the future.
Why all the questions? God's love is so misunderstood today. Like the false notion of complete tolerance, love has been reduced to a weak and spineless testimony by many.
Let's look at the love of Jesus Christ in action.
"Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,..." Matthew 15:7
"But Jesus perceived their wickedness, and said, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?" Matthew 22:18
"But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men." Matthew 8:33
"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." Matthew 9:44
"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28
Is there any doubt of the love of Jesus?
Wow! He called a disciple satan. He told people about hell--that can't be love! He also called the Pharisees hypocrites; surely this is a mistranslation? No! The problem is that we do not have the concept of love Jesus had. At times, Jesus was quite offensive. His idea of love was closely connected with truth. Being a young Jewish Rabbi (as a man) He was well aware of verses like this from the Old Testament. "Open rebuke is better than secret love." Proverbs 27:5
"Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him." Leviticus 19:7
"He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue." Proverbs 28:23
This same notion would also carry over in the New Testament as well.
"But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?" Galatians 2:14
"Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear." 1 Timothy 5:20
When was the last time that you heard a believer rebuke another for sin in love? When was the last time a loving pastor preached a sermon on damnation?
Our definition of love leaves out truth! Jesus was truthful because He loved. As God, He knew the terrors of hell, and did not wish for one soul to end up there. He used shocking statements like "hypocrite" to awaken the sensibilities and allow those dull of hearing due to self righteousness to see their true condition. He also lovingly rebuked disciples who were listening to the enemy and not following the will of God.
You need not walk around like a judgmental prude constantly, but if the Holy Spirit urges you, you may need to share offensive love in truth. God Bless, JNNJ
Today's Prophetic Headlines
Mitt Romney: Islam is not an inherently violent faith | Iowa Caucuses ***** Remember--Mormonism and Islam have many similarities and Mormonism was seen as a bridge between the two religions as early as the 1800s. Will a Mormon President draw the two religions together?
Awesome Blog!!!!! Praise the Lord we need to hear this word from the Lord more in the church instead of sugar coating everything!!!
ReplyDeleteSorry sweetie that post was from me your wonderful wife I don't know why it's not posting from me.
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