to say that is hypocritical (i love god most that is)

if you live by the standards but forth by god you are to love others as your self

and put god firs family second country third

well if you are to love others as your self per god

then if you are to put god first (are you not to love others first as well thus putting all on the same plain)

and giving the writings of god priority when trying to figure out how to handle issues

and then protect your family with what god teaches and protect them first (as god can protect god's self)

the give unto ceaser that which is ceasars

and then look out for your fellow humans

all of these need to be interacting and simultaneous and prioritized in said order but does not change the love thy neighbor as thyself tho


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but hey what do i know

Screw Ceaser. Jesus only said that to be diplomatic and stay in good graces with the local government.

Tax collectors were one of the most evil and hated people in those times.

Screw Ceaser and high taxes that pay for interest on our national debt that we did not authorize. Its a criminal organization.

and you can read his mind

and does not him saying that mean that every religious organization that uses jesus for their basis of worship that does not pay taxes a false religion

and to say he said it because of .....

and thus you do not have to do it means anyone can say that about anything he said

thus making all his teachings futile at best

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besides the bail out was illegal to begin with thus ceasar was corrupted and it is not ceasars to expect

but i have not seen a tax increase tale effect yet since the bailout was passed

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i find it ironic that that is the only thing you felt worthy enough to respond about in that entire post

"love"
interesting word actually.

what type do you speak of?

agape? Philio? Eros? other?

Unti lyou've determined which love you speak of, the question can't truely be answered.

I like to believe that agape is the only true type of love!

Okay then I will respond to all of it.

I think your priorities are all wrong and not only unworkable, but that NOBODY does it in THAT ORDER.

Secondly, I got the information about why Jesus said that from the Urantia Book.

But I don't believe that any more than I believe the Bible. I don't believe the story of Jesus at all.

But if anyone said that, they said it to appease the local government because what that statement means is to PAY YOUR TAXES. So if some person said that (which is possible) that is probably why they said it. It makes sense to me.

And all over in the Bible "tax collectors" were considered the lowest scum on the earth, so why would "Jesus" be telling people to pay their taxes first. It was just being diplomatic IN MY OPINION.

If I had the choice of going hungry and my family going hungry or giving to the church or paying taxes, you can bet that I and most people will feed their family first.

jb

<--- with my heart soul and mind

That does not tell me HOW it only tells me with what..

(heart, soul and mind)

HOW does the heart soul and mind love God?

Hard to put a word like "love" into words. I show it by talking with him, trying to live life in a way that would be pleasing to him. Trying to treat folks as I would like to be treated. Sharing my beliefs if asked. Not brow beating people that don't share my beliefs. Trying to help people when and as I am able. Study his word when I can. Pray, pray, pray.

like I said, hard to put "love" into words, our actions I guess.

yep, guess I'll stick with our actions. I do think there are people that love God and will go to heaven having never stepped foot inside of a church as well. Some that go several times a week may not make it.

"Beam me up Michael"

he is Michael, not Scotty

of God

not the Draconians




^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Sharpshooter humor, not to be confused with the silly Rapture doctrine that has so many fooled

The true meaning of love, as defined in the Bible, has been corrupted in the common usage of our English language and society. Most often, love is confused with infatuation - that elated, "high" feeling we get when we "fall in love." This kind of "love" is something that lasts typically less than a year, and unless replaced by true love, results in broken relationships.

Origin of Love The Bible indicates that love is from God. In fact, the Bible says "God is love."1 Love is one of the primary characteristics of God. Likewise, God has endowed us with the capacity for love. This capacity for love is one of the ways in which we are "created in the image of God."2

Different Kinds of Love The Greek language (the language of the New Testament) uses two different words to describe and define love. The most commonly used Greek word translated "love" in the New Testament is "agape." This love is represented by God's love for us. It is a non-partial, sacrificial love probably best exemplified by God's provision for our rebellion:

"For God so loved (agape) the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:16)

The gift3 of God's son as a provision for sin4 was given to all humans,5 regardless of who we are.6 God's love is unconditional.7

In contrast, our love is usually conditional and based upon how other people behave toward us. This kind of love is based upon familiarity and direct interaction. The Greek word "phileo" defines this kind of love, often translated "brotherly love." Phileo is a soulish (connected through our emotions) kind of love - something that can be experienced by both believers and non-believers. This is in contrast to agape, which is love extended through the spirit. Agape love requires a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, since the non-regenerated soul is unable to love unconditionally. Agape love gives and sacrifices expecting nothing back in return.8

Those who have studied the Bible and know about Peter's character know that Peter was ruled by his emotions and often responded to situations emotionally, rather than thinking before acting. Sometimes this kind of response lead to good things (e.g., Peter walking on the water to meet Jesus - Matthew 14:25-33), whereas at other times, Peter's response was inappropriate (He was interrupted by God while suggesting that he build three tabernacles, one for Jesus, one for Moses, and one for Elijah on the Mount of Transfiguration - Matthew 17:4). Peter was quite proficient at expressing phileo love, and was probably very popular because of his dynamic character. However, God wants us to express both phileo love and agape love. Peter expressed this idea in his first epistle:

Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love [phileo] of the brethren, fervently love [agape] one another from the heart, (1 Peter 1:22)

Believers in the churches of Asia Minor had already expressed phileo love, but Peter was encouraging them to fervently express agape love as well. If you are a Christian, you are encouraged to express both soulish, familiar love and spirit-led unconditional love. The goal of the Christian is to become "partakers of the divine nature."9 In Peter's second epistle, he says that we are to behave with moral excellence. However, this is not enough. Christians tend to be characterized by non-believers as telling other people how they ought to behave. However, the Christian life should not be restricted to just moral excellence, but, above all else, should include both phileo and agape love:

Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness [phileo], and in your brotherly kindness, love [agape]. (2 Peter 1:5-7)

The most famous biblical chapter on love is from 1 Corinthians:

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (1 Corinthians 13:1-13)

This is a description of agape love. It is described as being patient, kind, truthful, unselfish, trusting, believing, hopeful, and enduring. It is not jealous, boastful, arrogant, rude, selfish, or angry.

""tribo comment"" - and yet we see god being these thing's and saying these things even about himself??? HMMM??? does he not boast of himself? does he not say he is a jealous god? Does he not show himself being selfish- wanting what he wants and how he wants it? as well as others listed here also? - interesting huh? MTCW!!




True love never fails. The description perfectly fits God's love toward us, and should be the way we love each other and God. However, >>>>>>I have never met any person who perfectly fulfills this biblical definition of love.<<<<<< The Bible says that this unconditional love is more important than everything else (a partial list includes oratory ability, prophecy, knowledge, faith, philanthropy and hope). All of these things, which are "good" things, will pass away. Only love is eternal, since love will be the basis of eternal life. In fact, when Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was, He said, "YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND." (Matthew 22:37)9 He then added that the second most important law was "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." Jesus said that the entire law was dependent upon these two commandments.9

.10

Interesting, this is what we should do but yet author says no one has? it's a command then that no one can obey? commandments that cant be met? interesting??

I think actions can demonstrate love, but I don't think they ARE love.

Love can be expressed and be apparent by actions but mostly I think it is felt.

I think two different people can do the exact same action, and one can do it with love and the other without love and that can be felt.

Love is a feeling.

It is not an emotion though. Emotions are things like happiness, sadness, anger, fear, excitement, depression, etc.

There are no real words that can describe the feeling of love.

The nearest I can get is the word joy.

In my darkest hour I have always sensed that feeling of joy behind my being that whispered to me... "it will be alright."

There is joy.

darn darlin, you summed it up better than I could, a feeling of joy

Hope you are having a good day, later

Thanks sweetie! I did have a good day. I hope you had a good day and have many good days.

And this is how you love the Creator, Almighty God;

John 14:15 "If you love Me ,keep My Commandments".

John 14:21 "He that hath My Commandments,and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me, and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father,and I will love him and manifest myself to him".

You can also read John 14:20-22 and John 14 the whole chapter.

you missed this line obviously




not saying you are wrong -- not saying you are right

but why should the church be tax exempt if the reason they were founded taught (irregardless of why it was taught) that you should give unto ceasar that which is ceasars

seems like they are going against their on leaders teachings so why should anyone want to be taught by them

may much good come to you and yours