Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | love...as himself (if no self-love?) | Eph 5:33 | Robert Nicholson | 65437 | ||
srching: I do not believe we will find "self-love" in the Bible. "God is love" (1 John 4:8) He is the source of all love in this world. True, unconditional love is found only in Christ. For those who know Christ as Saviour, our cold hearts have been filled with his love "the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us". (Rom. 5:5) I believe that in this verse his love shines outward from us rather than inward to ourselves. If we truly appreciate the love of God we will than be willing to love those for whom Christ died. I find it difficult to separate self-love from pride which tends to be selfish. I understand where you are coming from. If we hate ourselves than how can we love others? Should we see ourselves as worthless? How does God see us? He saw us as lost, helpless and sinful, but not worthless! How do we know this? We must look at what it cost him for the price of our redemption, "he spared not his son" (Rom. 8:32) After we come to know Christ, we stand in awe as to the fact that he loved and continues to love us so. I believe that if I as a Christian I can in a measure appreciate that I am loved, that in the measure I appreciate God's love will be directly proportional to the love I can show to others. A husband who is enjoying the love of God within his heart will love his wife. The Lord Jesus is the example of selflessness and so it should be in our lives if we belong to him. If we appreciate the love of God toward us and think of the price he paid for our redemption, even though we did not deserve it, we should have a love for our neighbours who are fellow travellers to eternity. Peace in his Name Robert |
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2 | Thanks! One more thing. . . | Eph 5:33 | srchng | 65456 | ||
Thank you for your well consisered response. I value it highly. I will ponder your words. One thing left, though. How *he* accesses the scripural "as himself" type of love of "himself," (as it is written,)is still a question. Is it possible that he must begin with whatever sense of self preservation or self interest he has at the moment (however scant it may be) and surreder that little unworthy or un-holy looking thing to Jesus and work that very thing out in the interest of his wife, "as himself?" I'm looking for application, not just theory. How does he actually DO this, if he's low on the self respect scale, and isn't "enjoying" the love of God, even though he knows it's real? How, really, does he "walk in faith" according to this instruction? Do you think I'm close? |
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3 | Thanks! One more thing. . . | Eph 5:33 | Robert Nicholson | 65485 | ||
Srchng: In you last paragraph, I feel your sense of frustration. This subject is something which I have wrestled with for most of my life. It is a paradox which I have seen in many Christians. They know they are loved and yet deep inside themselves they feel worthless. I believe that at times children of Christians are subjected to unwise presentation of their condition before God, possibly before they can understand what it means. If we tell them they are worthless,hopeless etc. they will soon believe it to be so. Does this mean that we sugar coat the truth? No! We present the truth as God's word presents it. In short, yes we are born sinners and need a Saviour, but more important God loves us and has proven to us how much he cares by what he was willing to give on our behalf. How do we apply this to an adult? What do we do if an adult Christain is depressed or down on themselves? First of all has this attitude toward self been a way of life for them? Sometimes people have learned how to be negative about everything and it takes a long time to unlearn this. I know from experience that we first of all have to face the fact that our negativity is not positive in our life. There are many studies which show that if we think on things which are negative and self defeating that we will have no sense of power in our lives. Conversely, if we think on things positive, we will be able to better cope with the challenges sent our way. You have mentioned surrendering to God just as we are. Please bear with me for a moment. One time a train was hurtling down through a mountainous and dangerous track. The people on the train were frightened. They noticed however, that one little girl seemed unafraid. Someone asked "are you not frightened with this train?" The girl smiled " No" she said, "my father is the engineer". If we are willing to place child like faith in our Saviour day by day and know that he is able to keep us and give us the grace to struggle through the challenges which seem unsermontable, we are on the right track. Even after we are saved, our stubborn will often grieves and quenches the Spirit of God in our lives. How do we actually do this? Ask ourselves "Are we in Christ?" this is not intended to cause doubts, but to verify our relationship to God. If we are in Christ and are not enjoying fellowship with him and with God, then we must be willing to honestly admit our need of fellowship with him. 1 John 1 is a good passage to read on this. Do I speak to him each day and do I listen to his voice? Only by praying to him and reflecting on and reading his word will this happen. If we walk by faith his word is "is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105 I hope this helps Robert |
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4 | Thanks! One more thing. . . | Eph 5:33 | srchng | 65503 | ||
Thanks, Robert. I do my best thinking/understanding when I can discuss things with others. You've given me good food for thought. I really want to understand God's intention for marriage, and how to work out what may seem impossible at moments. I think that walking in faith is my issue. I know I don't have to see the whole thing first, but one step at a time, I want to be as sure as I can that I'm not being foolish. Would you look at my question to mommapbs "greater rank, not greater person?" in the "Is reverence feasible? Always?" string, and give me your thoughts? Thanks, -srchng |
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