Saying Vs. Following

[ChristineES]

I think we've all been guilty of this at one time or another. We speak about various beliefs yet we don't truly follow them. For example: Christians are supposed to love everyone- God, our siblings in Jesus, our "neighbors" (which I take to mean people outside of my faith), and even our enemies. Sometimes we just don't do it. I hear about someone killing and maiming people, especially children, and I get filled with a kind of fury. I am not sure I've ever actually hated anyone, but I do get very angry. It is hard to want to pray and love someone who does such a thing- almost impossible, yet we are told to do it. It is much easier to love God, siblings in Jesus, and neighbors and a lot harder to pray for our enemies. That is but one example. There are many others, and some of them less excusable.

Any thoughts on this is welcome.

 

[michel]

I think we've all been guilty of this at one time or another. We speak about various beliefs yet we don't truly follow them. For example: Christians are supposed to love everyone- God, our siblings in Jesus, our "neighbors" (which I take to mean people outside of my faith), and even our enemies. Sometimes we just don't do it. I hear about someone killing and maiming people, especially children, and I get filled with a kind of fury. I am not sure I've ever actually hated anyone, but I do get very angry. It is hard to want to pray and love someone who does such a thing- almost impossible, yet we are told to do it. It is much easier to love God, siblings in Jesus, and neighbors and a lot harder to pray for our enemies. That is but one example. There are many others, and some of them less excusable.

Any thoughts on this is welcome.

Of course, because we are fallible humans. The higher one sets one's heights, the lower we fall; I wish I knew the answer...

 

[Jainarayan]

Another green DIR topic I'll contribute to if I may...

I too get furious when I hear about people being beaten, robbed, assaulted, killed; animals abused. I too want to strap murderers and rapists in Ol' Sparky and throw the switch myself. Hinduism and Buddhism stress compassion, with Hinduism stressing seeing the Divine in everyone. It is indeed hard to have compassion and see God in those who do evil things. But they do evil things because they are suffering in some way. That's what we have to have compassion for... their suffering. Yes, I am a hypocrite because I don't always practice the words in my signature "If you can't see God in all, you can't see God at all".

 

[SpentaMaynu]

Yes, I am a hypocrite because I don't always practice the words in my signature "If you can't see God in all, you can't see God at all".

In other words you are struggling to see God. I like the vast implications of this and I think we all struggle with this apect of our faith(s) no matter how we interpret it. I think the one thing all of us who dilligintly practices our faith acknowledge, even in the face of mockery, is that we indeed do not know all the answers - and we don't really know how to love or have compassion towards others (as said above). With this in mind we should continue to practice our faith dilligintly and strive to the perfection thereof... With the help of God, within or without or however we interpret this, we might reach that place we seek

 

[Jainarayan]

In other words you are struggling to see God. I like the vast implications of this and I think we all struggle with this apect of our faith(s) no matter how we interpret it. I think the one thing all of us who dilligintly practices our faith acknowledge, even in the face of mockery, is that we indeed do not know all the answers - and we don't really know how to love or have compassion towards others (as said above). With this in mind we should continue to practice our faith dilligintly and strive to the perfection thereof... With the help of God, within or without or however we interpret this, we might reach that place we seek

There is no doubt I struggle. I always use the phrase "some days are harder than others" when trying to be mindful of seeing God everywhere and in everyone. And though I'm taking on deist leanings again, I do believe there is a God who permeates and pervades everyone and everything... from the grandest temple or basilica to the lowliest back alley, in the most righteous saint to the most contemptible (in our flawed judgements) person. It's just hard to remember this.

 

[Awoon]

I think we've all been guilty of this at one time or another. We speak about various beliefs yet we don't truly follow them. For example: Christians are supposed to love everyone- God, our siblings in Jesus, our "neighbors" (which I take to mean people outside of my faith), and even our enemies. Sometimes we just don't do it. I hear about someone killing and maiming people, especially children, and I get filled with a kind of fury. I am not sure I've ever actually hated anyone, but I do get very angry. It is hard to want to pray and love someone who does such a thing- almost impossible, yet we are told to do it. It is much easier to love God, siblings in Jesus, and neighbors and a lot harder to pray for our enemies. That is but one example. There are many others, and some of them less excusable.

Any thoughts on this is welcome.

Here's a thought. Have Christians really asked their teachers if the words in the Bible are historically true from the mouth of one Jesus and been proven outside the Bible?

 

[SageTree]

It's not important where I position myself label-wise, here... the suggestion presides.

Working with Metta Meditation (Loving-Kindness Meditation) helped me find a place for my 'enemies', in my practice of breaking down barriers to Love, for myself, for others, for The Almighty.

 

[savagewind]

I watched the movie Dead Man Walking yesterday. The love the nun showed to the man on death row is an example of the love God shows.

I understand why she agreed to be his spiritual advisor. I do not think I could do something like that, not with true feelings of love like she showed.

 

[Xian Catalyst]

I think we've all been guilty of this at one time or another. We speak about various beliefs yet we don't truly follow them. For example: Christians are supposed to love everyone- God, our siblings in Jesus, our "neighbors" (which I take to mean people outside of my faith), and even our enemies. Sometimes we just don't do it. I hear about someone killing and maiming people, especially children, and I get filled with a kind of fury. I am not sure I've ever actually hated anyone, but I do get very angry. It is hard to want to pray and love someone who does such a thing- almost impossible, yet we are told to do it. It is much easier to love God, siblings in Jesus, and neighbors and a lot harder to pray for our enemies. That is but one example. There are many others, and some of them less excusable.

Any thoughts on this is welcome.

A big problem with this discussion *(in general, not yours particularly), is that word LOVE. In English it has such a romantic vibe about it, that it's misleading. So people in the Church try to define it as "God's Love". It's true that God's Love is Agapao, but that doesn't mean that Agapao is God's love. One fits within the other, the other is greater than the one.

A car is a general word, a chevy is a specific word. The Chevy fits under the group "Car". Car doesn't fit under the group "Chevy".

That word Agapao, is always accompanied with action. You can't "Agapao" someone, without a demonstration of it. Untested, it's not Agapao.

Matt 5:43-48 is Jesus showing you how to love. He says that God loves His enemies. You'll notice that Jesus defined that love with,"He even brings sun and rain" (or whatever the words were) for those enemies. He then says you should be perfect like God. The word for perfect means complete or mature. So Jesus is merely saying, love as completely, or as maturely as the example of GOD did.

Another example Jesus uses is the last parable in Matt 25. Remember Love is the greatest commandment. In matt 25 the people who's love was demonstrated by their actions were the ones that went forward, not the others, although both knew the King or Shepherd whichever it was.

Scripture says we grow in love, AS we love. It's a hands on experience. Bad example: A man can sit in a chair and talk about how good a father he is. But until he gets up and does his part to make a baby, it's all talk. And after the baby, until he gets up and actually parents the child...... etc...

 

[Xian Catalyst]

Here's a thought. Have Christians really asked their teachers if the words in the Bible are historically true from the mouth of one Jesus and been proven outside the Bible?

If they did, they would find out it's the most reliable historic reference ever, and the standard you are going to try to promote here is not used in ANY OTHER INSTANCE OF HISTORY!

 

[ChristineES]

A big problem with this discussion *(in general, not yours particularly), is that word LOVE. In English it has such a romantic vibe about it, that it's misleading. So people in the Church try to define it as "God's Love". It's true that God's Love is Agapao, but that doesn't mean that Agapao is God's love. One fits within the other, the other is greater than the one.

A car is a general word, a chevy is a specific word. The Chevy fits under the group "Car". Car doesn't fit under the group "Chevy".

That word Agapao, is always accompanied with action. You can't "Agapao" someone, without a demonstration of it. Untested, it's not Agapao.

Matt 5:43-48 is Jesus showing you how to love. He says that God loves His enemies. You'll notice that Jesus defined that love with,"He even brings sun and rain" (or whatever the words were) for those enemies. He then says you should be perfect like God. The word for perfect means complete or mature. So Jesus is merely saying, love as completely, or as maturely as the example of GOD did.

Another example Jesus uses is the last parable in Matt 25. Remember Love is the greatest commandment. In matt 25 the people who's love was demonstrated by their actions were the ones that went forward, not the others, although both knew the King or Shepherd whichever it was.

Scripture says we grow in love, AS we love. It's a hands on experience. Bad example: A man can sit in a chair and talk about how good a father he is. But until he gets up and does his part to make a baby, it's all talk. And after the baby, until he gets up and actually parents the child...... etc...

I am hoping when people think of Christian love, they think about brotherly and sisterly love (agape) rather than romantic love (Eros). Love is an often misunderstood term, particularly when it comes to Christian love.

You make a great point: If you can provide action, you should. If your next door neighbor is starving and you are able to feed him or her and all you do is pray for him or her, that's not showing love. If you are unable to help him and pray then that would be showing love.

Welcome to the RF, Xian Catalyst.

 

[Xian Catalyst]

I am hoping when people think of Christian love, they think about brotherly and sisterly love (agape) rather than romantic love (Eros). Love is an often misunderstood term, particularly when it comes to Christian love.

The problem is most people's understanding or lack of, of the word Agapao, is really closer to Phileo. They claim to love their neighbor, but there is no action in their lives to show it. There is no charity to them, etc... That would be a Phileo type of love. It's the misunderstanding of the word that is the prevalent explanation of it. It's sad to me.

You make a great point: If you can provide action, you should. If your next door neighbor is starving and you are able to feed him or her and all you do is pray for him or her, that's not showing love. If you are unable to help him and pray then that would be showing love.

Welcome to the RF, Xian Catalyst.

TY for the welcome, ms Chris.