Here is what I learned about love this weekend at a Methodist Church which is good advice right from the scriptures:
Isaiah 58:9-12 (New International Reader's Version)
9 You will call out to me for help.
And I will answer you.
You will cry out.
And I will say, 'Here I am.'
"Get rid of the chains you use to hold others down.
Stop pointing your finger at others as if they had done something wrong.
Stop saying harmful things about them. 10 Work hard to feed hungry people.
Satisfy the needs of those who are crushed. Then my blessing will light up your darkness.
And the night of your suffering will become as bright as the noonday sun.
11 I will always guide you.
I will satisfy your needs in a land that is baked by the sun.
I will make you stronger.
You will be like a garden that has plenty of water.
You will be like a spring whose water never runs dry.
12 Your people will rebuild the cities that were destroyed long ago.
And you will build again on the old foundations.
You will be called The One Who Repairs Broken Walls.
You will be called The One Who Makes City Streets Like New Again.
Philippaians 2: 1-4 (New International Reader's Version)
Thinking Like Christ
1 Are you cheerful because you belong to Christ? Does his love comfort you? Is the Holy Spirit your companion? Has Christ been gentle and loving toward you? 2 Then make my joy complete by agreeing with each other. Have the same love. Be one in spirit and purpose.
3 Don't do anything only to get ahead. Don't do it because you are proud. Instead, be free of pride. Think of others as better than yourselves.
4 None of you should look out just for your own good. You should also look out for the good of others.
Ephesians 4:20-27 (New International Reader's Version)
20 But that is not what you have learned about Christ. 21 I'm sure you heard of him. I'm sure you were taught by him. What you learned was the truth about Jesus.
22 You were taught not to live the way you used to. You must get rid of your old way of life. That's because it is polluted by longing for things that lead you down the wrong path.
23 You were taught to be made new in your thinking. 24 You were taught to start living a new life. It is created to be truly good and holy, just as God is.
25 So each of you must get rid of your lying. Speak the truth to your neighbor. We are all parts of one body.
26 Scripture says, "When you are angry, do not sin."(Psalm 4:4) Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. 27 Don't give the devil a chance.
Teaching love, compassion and mercy to those who don't meet our standards, JW you need to practice what Jesus has taught and find a way to love, for the judgemental attitude you have toward others is not the attitude of Christ. The problem is that you don't view other Christians of other faiths as Christian. You will lead none to Christ except through love. I encourage you to think and reason on your position. I've been where you were at before leaving the JW religion. Warm Christian hugs to you.
Balsam
