Imagin God loves you. Can you?

[antonio]

Thanks to all my time on forums, the answer has revealed itself---it's all about love.
All of what Jesus says in His command about the Law, His preaching and most of the parables are about love. Those that have been called apocalyptic are simply telling us to start loving now. It could all end any time, either with death or the Final Bang. We'll never know when. Jesus is telling us, L’chaim! Life! Live and Love, Now!
It has been there all the time, the Answer, big, obvious and simple. It has become clear to me that God has loved us all the time. Jesus didn't come here to die for our sins but to tell us that God loved us and he was willing to die to preserve that message for all time. So He did die for us but for a differnt reason. All the rest of it, except His word is just a great, bloodthirsty history written by guys who were overwhelmed with needless guilt. They just couldn’t accept that anyone, even God, would give them anything for nothing. From their suspicion, grew ingratitude which turned to fear. Fear drove out love and what was left were altars and sacrifice and bloody violence.
Jesus brought the message. The one we had forgotten—Love. Unfortunately, most humans still refuse to believe that God loves us. He has always loved us and not with that screwy human notion of love that incorporates hate, revenge and retribution. Most humans still fear God and either hide from his view, or want to throw something on a fire as a sacrifice--lambs or virgins-- but some burnt offering. They refuse to release their lack of gratitude to God and their lack of love for everyone.

Ever since He delivered the message, many have tried and still want to obfuscate it with guilt and fear and hate and judgment. They want to define God's love by the pathetic standards of human love, conditional, temporary, easily turned to revenge, hate and anger. But the Word won’t go away. It trickles like water in the cracks of a rock, always getting through. Trickling. Freezing. Growing. Eventually moving mountains.
antonio

[melikio]

I have heard this kind of "theology" before. It is also referred to as "sloppy agape" or an extreme example of "antinomianism." I do not refute that you believe it, it is just not "biblical" christianity. But, since you never claimed it was...then more power to you. This kind of theology picks out all the "love" verses and discards the rest of the Bible.

I think it really doesn't matter so much that we can call it "theology" (or not). I have spent years hearing many near-perfected theological concepts promoted; leaving people COLD and unmoved. Perhaps more knowledgeable, but not necessarily more spiritual or faithful.

What's "biblical" is and always has been fairly subjective to many, but more importantly, not all of that which is so often considered "biblical" is necessarily inspirational or effectual.

The way this world is going about now, I see practically nothing wrong with LOVE being "emphasized" over more legalistic approaches to the Bible or Christianity. I'm not pretending to speak for God, but I know what's been anchored in my heart.

People are often seeking something "real", not merely something we can claim is "biblical". What's "biblical" has its place and usefulness, but it doesn't define everything that human beings need (not really).

I don't see where promoting the kind of LOVE Jesus showed this world is "sloppy" or somehow leads to "antinomianism" (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/antinomianism). But I have seen a lot of religious legalists ruin people's spirits and turn a lot of people away from a meaningful relationship with others and Jesus Christ.

-Mel-

[twobitsmedia]

People are often seeking something "real", not merely something we can claim is "biblical".

Though I agree that there are those seeking what they perceive as "real," there are those who are seeking what they can claim is "biblical." I, myself, am one seeking biblical reality.

[melikio]

Though I agree that there are those seeking what they perceive as "real," there are those who are seeking what they can claim is "biblical." I, myself, am one seeking biblical reality.

I really can't argue with that. I've had my share of questions, knowledge and belief, and unbelief. I'm not particularly critical of that which people seek; I merely become concerned/distressed when other "seekers" proceed to compel others, as if THEIR "truth" or "reality" is the only one to be possessed. And the reason I value LOVE above most other qualities in this life, is because it consistently defends the defenseless and stands in the gap for those who need a champion.

IF I had not seen certain elements of human nature (packaged in religion, governments and other institutions) BULLY people in various ways, I might not have turned to "love" as I did. I don't see anything negative about putting LOVE first and foremost, despite the reality that it can be inconvenient and often requires "faith" so that we can allow it to do its work.

Honestly, I lost most of my faith in how most people applied the biblical knowledge they possessed; those who are willing to promote the LOVE of Christ (in their actions) are those who impress and inspire me (in spite of their theological views).

-Mel-