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Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
| Greek (Western) |
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 In Greek thought, love and hate are primarily based on emotion.
Generally, love is initiated by feelings or emotion before a commitment is made. Thus we 'fall in love' before making the commitment to get married. (In societies where marriages are arranged, the reverse is the case.) If we then have a negative experience, love can so easily turn into hate, another emotional reaction. In a Christian setting, the evangelist will elicit an emotional response from people before calling them to a commitment to the Lord. Emotional response comes before commitment.
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| Eastern (Hebrew) |
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 In Hebrew thought, ahav is based on a conscious preference or choice.
Love and hate are not emotional concepts in scriptural thought. With this understanding of love being choice, the Scripture about God loving Jacob and hating Esau can be viewed completely differently.
Malachi 1:1-3
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 The Lord did not 'hate' Esau in an emotional fashion, but rather, he 'chose' Jacob over him.
Similarly, when Jesus said.....
John 14:15
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 If you make a conscious choice to follow me, then you will choose to obey my instructions to you.
Again, when Jesus spoke about mankind loving darkness, He really meant that we make a conscious choice of evil over good.
John 3:19
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 The concept of Jesus coming for His bride is now even more interesting. In a traditional Hebrew situation, the father chooses the son's bride. When the vows are made, the bride and groom choose each other. What an amazing analogy! God chooses us for His son Jesus, which we confirm by then choosing to follow Jesus. Take the analogy for the beautiful picture it is, and do not get all confused by arguments of predestination versus freewill. As you can, see both apply here!
So we, the bride then, have chosen to make ourselves ready to receive our groom, Jesus, by living holy and righteous lives.
Revelation 19:7-8
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| SOME SPIRITUAL IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY |
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 1. Jesus requires disciples who have chosen to be fully sold out to Him, not those who have simply made an emotional or mind decision without also living the life of what they supposedly believe.
2. True followers of Jesus are more likely to arise through the example of our actions rather than our words.
3. To reach the Jewish and other Mid-Eastern people particularly, love reflected through action, is essential.
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| <i>NEXT WEEK:</i> THINKING GREEK OR HEBREW continues..... |
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 ..... looking at BLESSINGS AND CURSES
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| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
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 It is hard for us to accept that that actions and words are inseparable.
Also that following Jesus is not primarily an emotional decision or way of life, but the the application of our minds and emotions through our will.
It is a time for revolution amongst the followers of Jesus!
IMAGES AND ART: Jerusalem
Mount of Olives
From the Kidron Valley
Separated from the Eastern Hill (the Temple Mount and the City of David) by the Kidron Valley, the Mt. of Olives has always been an important feature in Jerusalem's landscape. From the 3rd millennium B.C. until the present, this 2900-foot hill has served as one of the main burial grounds for the city. The two-mile long ridge has three summits each of which has a tower built on it.
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So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
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www.wwj.org.nz/about.php
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A DAVID'S DOODLING
713. Being without doing is like a motor without a car. Makes plenty of noise but takes you nowhere!
David Tait
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Check
out the WWJ website for….
More David's Doodlings: www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php
Pets Rule!: http://www.wwj.org.nz/pets.php
The World's Greatest Groans: http://www.wwj.org.nz/groans.php
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