I remember from somewhere in my youth (so a long time ago:) a person said that God is not interested in being the top priority in a list of priorities but rather being involved (i.e. to enrich) in all of our priorities. Thanks for bringing this long forgotten thought back to my mind.
I've noticed this too - in one case, with a very prominent, recently retired Christian pastor very well known for his writings. I heard him speak three days in a row (college chapel services) and my take away was basically that he just had an obsessive personality and his particular obsession was making up rules that God wanted us all to follow. Some people have that kind of personality and when they get put in leadership, others also end up getting twisted around too. God doesn't want us to be less than normal people who are capable of making emotional connections with each other.
My favorite quote from this essay is: “Loving God doesn't encroach upon my loving you, it enhances and deepens my love for you.” I think you put it into words perfectly.
This is astute observation. The commandment to love God is from the law of sin and death. It is to be done with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; everything but the Spirit. The law of the Spirit of life says we are to love one another as he (Jesus) has loved us, love in partnership with the Spirit.
In that you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me. Under the law of the Spirit of life, we love God by loving others, with the Spirit of God.
God is not just looking to "save you"; he is looking to partner with you. He is not looking at a pathetic being in need of salvation, but he is on one knee asking for your hand in marriage, anticipating the amazing things that we could do together, he with us. We, the church, are the bride of Christ. Isaiah 54:5 for my husband is my maker. Isaiah 54:1 - We, the church, are to bear his children. And under the New Covenant, the curse on the woman has been rescinded. We bring children into the kingdom with no pain, only joy.
The Great Commandment has been superseded by the New Commandment. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2
I remember from somewhere in my youth (so a long time ago:) a person said that God is not interested in being the top priority in a list of priorities but rather being involved (i.e. to enrich) in all of our priorities. Thanks for bringing this long forgotten thought back to my mind.
I've noticed this too - in one case, with a very prominent, recently retired Christian pastor very well known for his writings. I heard him speak three days in a row (college chapel services) and my take away was basically that he just had an obsessive personality and his particular obsession was making up rules that God wanted us all to follow. Some people have that kind of personality and when they get put in leadership, others also end up getting twisted around too. God doesn't want us to be less than normal people who are capable of making emotional connections with each other.
My favorite quote from this essay is: “Loving God doesn't encroach upon my loving you, it enhances and deepens my love for you.” I think you put it into words perfectly.
This is astute observation. The commandment to love God is from the law of sin and death. It is to be done with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength; everything but the Spirit. The law of the Spirit of life says we are to love one another as he (Jesus) has loved us, love in partnership with the Spirit.
In that you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me. Under the law of the Spirit of life, we love God by loving others, with the Spirit of God.
God is not just looking to "save you"; he is looking to partner with you. He is not looking at a pathetic being in need of salvation, but he is on one knee asking for your hand in marriage, anticipating the amazing things that we could do together, he with us. We, the church, are the bride of Christ. Isaiah 54:5 for my husband is my maker. Isaiah 54:1 - We, the church, are to bear his children. And under the New Covenant, the curse on the woman has been rescinded. We bring children into the kingdom with no pain, only joy.
The Great Commandment has been superseded by the New Commandment. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:2
Good thoughts! Thank you!
Awesome reframe! Thank you.
I think it mean put God first.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind”
Priorities. Everything comes from God.