what about 1 John 4:7-8 which says ‘Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.’
Or
1 John 3:15-16 ‘Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for
the brothers.’
Yes, what about those amazing verses! =)
WBC’s friend, John, who wrote 1 John 4:7-8 & 1 John 3:15-16 was speaking to his fellow beloved-of-God saints. He wrote those words & you ought to read them with distinction and *believe* them. You should read the words before & after those verses, as well – they’re pure gold! #YayForContext! =D
In fact, if you have a sincere interest in the word of God, then kindly read *all* the words in the Bible: become intimately familiar with the words & their meaning. Start with that desire for the sincere milk of the word. Drink up the words until they become a part of your warp & woof.
“Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.” 1 Peter 2: 1-3
And, Andrew, please, please, please don’t handle the word of God deceitfully by pretending like the words don’t have clear, important, solemn meaning. Love has a meaning, Andrew, and it’s not a goofy, silly notion that makes you just feel soo good on the inside. It has a practical meaning & has identifying characteristics so you can discern if a person actually loves or hates. (Hint: it starts with knowing what the standards of God are, then living the example & provoking your fellow man to do the same).
“But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:2
Assuming you’re a babe, having a sincere desire for the milk of the word, you must continue reading. You must study, pray and for goodness’ sake – get to Westboro Baptist Church where there is – only by the grace of God – the only, last, faithful pastor that is preaching and teaching the word of God.
“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” Hebrews 5:11-14
Thanks for writing,
Member of WBC