Bible Studies 4 (For newest Bible Study see "Bible Studies 19")
Are We the Only Ones?
How much does Jesus love us? Have you ever given any thought to that? Do you think He can only love a certain type of person? One who only fits our interpretation, our belief in what a Christian/Believer looks like, dresses like, the type of music they listen to, the clean-cut, “pure” image of how we think a person who professes to follow Jesus looks like? Is that the type of person Jesus died for? The “Only Ones?”
We all know that Jesus died for all mankind. We know John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” He loves us that much. But do we (His own Brothers and Sisters) limit Jesus to the type of person we think is worthy to be saved, to be a child of God and joint-heir with Jesus? Do we sometimes judge others because they don’t fit our mold of what a Christian should look like? Because they’re sinners?
Let’s explore a little shall we. John 8:4-11 tells the story of a woman caught while in the act of committing adultery. The Jewish religious leaders brought her to Jesus and wanted Him to condemn her for the act. But instead of condemning her Jesus said, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.’ Then after her accusers felt convicted of their own sins and left, He said to her, “’Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’” Jesus not only demonstrated His love for her, but He forgave her of her sins.
Another time in Mark 2:13-17, Jesus was walking by a tax collector’s office. (The tax collectors were reviled and hated by the Jews. The tax collectors were Jews collecting taxes for the Romans who were the rulers of Israel.) Jesus saw Levi (whose name was later changed to Matthew) sitting there collecting taxes and He told Matthew to follow Him. Matthew became one of Jesus’ 12 Apostles (and the author of the Book of Matthew). At dinner in Mathew’s house many tax collectors and sinners were sitting there at the table with Jesus as they ate. The Jewish religious leaders asked His disciples how He could sit with those kinds of people. “When Jesus heard it, He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.’”
In Luke 23:39-43, we see Jesus hanging on the cross with two criminals hanging beside Him. “Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’, but the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’” While Jesus was hanging on the cross, suffering beyond what any of us could imagine, He was still concerned for the lost.
The last example I will use is that of my own Son. Joshua has multiple tattoos and piercings. He has lived in some very tough “ghetto” areas during his life. He has been shot at and gotten into some very bad, life threatening situations. He is one tough man. However, Joshua is a Child of God. He is saved and is growing stronger in the Lord each day. I am proud of him.
So, we see Jesus seeking out criminals, sinners, tax collectors, the lost, etc… and forgiving them for their sins. Shouldn’t we strive to follow the example Jesus has set for us? So, the next time you see someone who doesn’t fit our example of what we think is “worthy” on the outside, think about the broken, lost soul on the inside, and tell them about the love of Jesus.
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Love is …
In the Bible 1 John 4:8b says, “God is love.” What is “love” to you? Ask 100 different people and you’ll get 100 different answers. It all depends on a person’s history, perspective, beliefs, thoughts, feelings, etc… We can all come up with our own definition. So, when we think of the love God has for us we tend to apply our own preconceived ideas about “love” to Him. However, when we do this we are limiting God, and ourselves, by not really having a deep understanding of what love is to God.
In the New Testament (written in Greek) two words are used for love:
* “Agape” (ah-gah-pey, usually referred to as “agape love”) is the love God has for us. God loves because that is His nature and the expression of His being. This love is unconditional, self-sacrificing, active, volitional, and thoughtful love. You love someone with agape because you want what’s best for them. Agape love gives and sacrifices expecting nothing back in return. Agape love requires a relationship with God through Jesus Christ manifested in us through the work of the Holy Spirit.
* “Phileo” is brotherly love. Love based on common interests or bonds. Phileo love is emotion-based love. Believers and non-believers have phileo love.
Let’s look at one of the passages in the Bible that describes what love is. Before we do though, I need to clear something up. “Agape” is the word the Apostle Paul used when he wrote 1 Corinthians. When it was translated into English for the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, the word “charity” was substituted for “agape.” So, if you read the KJV remember when you read the word “charity” in the text, substitute “agape love” and you’ll have a deeper understanding of God’s love. (I normally use the New King James Version for my Bible quotes, but I used the Amplified Bible this time because it goes deeper into the meaning of each thought.)
1 Corinthians 13:4-10
4. Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
5. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
6. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
7. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
8. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].
9. For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect).
10. But when the complete and perfect (total) comes (my note here: this refers to Jesus Christ at the 2nd Advent, after the Battle of Armageddon), the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded).
Really makes you stop and think, right? Is this the kind of love I want? Is this the kind of love I give?
Now let’s close with looking at three different passages where Agape Love is used:
* John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
* Mark 12:28-31, “’Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?” Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.’”
* Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.”
So having looked at the “Agape Love” God has for us, we can more fully and deeply understand why God sacrificed Jesus for us; why Jesus willingly laid down His life for us; and how we should love others.
I challenge you to approach every relationship, every encounter with your fellow man, with Agape Love – giving, doing, serving, supporting, sacrificing, uplifting, helping - being there for them.
Are We the Only Ones?
How much does Jesus love us? Have you ever given any thought to that? Do you think He can only love a certain type of person? One who only fits our interpretation, our belief in what a Christian/Believer looks like, dresses like, the type of music they listen to, the clean-cut, “pure” image of how we think a person who professes to follow Jesus looks like? Is that the type of person Jesus died for? The “Only Ones?”
We all know that Jesus died for all mankind. We know John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus), that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” He loves us that much. But do we (His own Brothers and Sisters) limit Jesus to the type of person we think is worthy to be saved, to be a child of God and joint-heir with Jesus? Do we sometimes judge others because they don’t fit our mold of what a Christian should look like? Because they’re sinners?
Let’s explore a little shall we. John 8:4-11 tells the story of a woman caught while in the act of committing adultery. The Jewish religious leaders brought her to Jesus and wanted Him to condemn her for the act. But instead of condemning her Jesus said, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.’ Then after her accusers felt convicted of their own sins and left, He said to her, “’Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’” Jesus not only demonstrated His love for her, but He forgave her of her sins.
Another time in Mark 2:13-17, Jesus was walking by a tax collector’s office. (The tax collectors were reviled and hated by the Jews. The tax collectors were Jews collecting taxes for the Romans who were the rulers of Israel.) Jesus saw Levi (whose name was later changed to Matthew) sitting there collecting taxes and He told Matthew to follow Him. Matthew became one of Jesus’ 12 Apostles (and the author of the Book of Matthew). At dinner in Mathew’s house many tax collectors and sinners were sitting there at the table with Jesus as they ate. The Jewish religious leaders asked His disciples how He could sit with those kinds of people. “When Jesus heard it, He said to them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.’”
In Luke 23:39-43, we see Jesus hanging on the cross with two criminals hanging beside Him. “Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, ‘If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.’, but the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, ‘Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.’” While Jesus was hanging on the cross, suffering beyond what any of us could imagine, He was still concerned for the lost.
The last example I will use is that of my own Son. Joshua has multiple tattoos and piercings. He has lived in some very tough “ghetto” areas during his life. He has been shot at and gotten into some very bad, life threatening situations. He is one tough man. However, Joshua is a Child of God. He is saved and is growing stronger in the Lord each day. I am proud of him.
So, we see Jesus seeking out criminals, sinners, tax collectors, the lost, etc… and forgiving them for their sins. Shouldn’t we strive to follow the example Jesus has set for us? So, the next time you see someone who doesn’t fit our example of what we think is “worthy” on the outside, think about the broken, lost soul on the inside, and tell them about the love of Jesus.
_______________________________________________________________
Love is …
In the Bible 1 John 4:8b says, “God is love.” What is “love” to you? Ask 100 different people and you’ll get 100 different answers. It all depends on a person’s history, perspective, beliefs, thoughts, feelings, etc… We can all come up with our own definition. So, when we think of the love God has for us we tend to apply our own preconceived ideas about “love” to Him. However, when we do this we are limiting God, and ourselves, by not really having a deep understanding of what love is to God.
In the New Testament (written in Greek) two words are used for love:
* “Agape” (ah-gah-pey, usually referred to as “agape love”) is the love God has for us. God loves because that is His nature and the expression of His being. This love is unconditional, self-sacrificing, active, volitional, and thoughtful love. You love someone with agape because you want what’s best for them. Agape love gives and sacrifices expecting nothing back in return. Agape love requires a relationship with God through Jesus Christ manifested in us through the work of the Holy Spirit.
* “Phileo” is brotherly love. Love based on common interests or bonds. Phileo love is emotion-based love. Believers and non-believers have phileo love.
Let’s look at one of the passages in the Bible that describes what love is. Before we do though, I need to clear something up. “Agape” is the word the Apostle Paul used when he wrote 1 Corinthians. When it was translated into English for the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, the word “charity” was substituted for “agape.” So, if you read the KJV remember when you read the word “charity” in the text, substitute “agape love” and you’ll have a deeper understanding of God’s love. (I normally use the New King James Version for my Bible quotes, but I used the Amplified Bible this time because it goes deeper into the meaning of each thought.)
1 Corinthians 13:4-10
4. Love endures long and is patient and kind; love never is envious nor boils over with jealousy, is not boastful or vainglorious, does not display itself haughtily.
5. It is not conceited (arrogant and inflated with pride); it is not rude (unmannerly) and does not act unbecomingly. Love (God’s love in us) does not insist on its own rights or its own way, for it is not self-seeking; it is not touchy or fretful or resentful; it takes no account of the evil done to it [it pays no attention to a suffered wrong].
6. It does not rejoice at injustice and unrighteousness, but rejoices when right and truth prevail.
7. Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything [without weakening].
8. Love never fails [never fades out or becomes obsolete or comes to an end]. As for prophecy (the gift of interpreting the divine will and purpose), it will be fulfilled and pass away; as for tongues, they will be destroyed and cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away [it will lose its value and be superseded by truth].
9. For our knowledge is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect), and our prophecy (our teaching) is fragmentary (incomplete and imperfect).
10. But when the complete and perfect (total) comes (my note here: this refers to Jesus Christ at the 2nd Advent, after the Battle of Armageddon), the incomplete and imperfect will vanish away (become antiquated, void, and superseded).
Really makes you stop and think, right? Is this the kind of love I want? Is this the kind of love I give?
Now let’s close with looking at three different passages where Agape Love is used:
* John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
* Mark 12:28-31, “’Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?” Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.’”
* Ephesians 5:25, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.”
So having looked at the “Agape Love” God has for us, we can more fully and deeply understand why God sacrificed Jesus for us; why Jesus willingly laid down His life for us; and how we should love others.
I challenge you to approach every relationship, every encounter with your fellow man, with Agape Love – giving, doing, serving, supporting, sacrificing, uplifting, helping - being there for them.
