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James Martenet gave this sermon about love and who is your neighbor. In addition to living in such a way as to let your light shine, Christians should also take actual physical steps. That includes obeying the commandments, helping the poor, as well as supporting the work of God to teach His ways and proclaim His gospel of the Kingdom. He reminded us Jesus taught to treat others as we want them to treat us. He quoted the Apostle Paul about love and that love is greater than faith and hope. He quoted Polycarp of Smyrna teaching about love. He mentioned that God is love, holy, and righteous and that true Christianity is based on love.
A written article of related interest is available titled 'The Philadelphia Remnant: It's All About Love' URL: It's All About Love
Transcript — Love: Who Is Your Neighbor?
By James Martenet
Download: Transcript — Love Who is Your Neighbor
Full Transcript
Well, greetings, friends and neighbors. It's been an adventure, as always. We've spent so much time rushing to make ends meet to get here that half the feast has gone by before you realize you're here, or for me, today I want to discuss who is our neighbor. In Luke, if you want to go to Luke 10 verse 25, and we've already read about the parable of the Good Samaritan, the Lord. And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and tested him, saying, Teacher, what shall we do to inherit eternal life?
He said to him, What is written in the law?
What is your reading of it?
So he answered and said, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself. Then he said to him, You have answered rightly, do this and you will live.
But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
Then Jesus answered and said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, that fell among thieves, who stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now, by chance, a certain priest came down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side, likewise a Levite, when he arrived at the place, came and looked and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. So he went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. And he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii, gave him to the innkeeper, and said to him, Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you. So which of these three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?
And he said, He who showed mercy on him. And then Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise. I've got to speed this up from what I was going to say, a lot more I was going to say, but I'm going to pass through because it's going to go way over. I've got a timer on this thing, it tells me. , let's go to John 13, verse 34. A new commandment I give to you, that you should love one another, or that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one to another. Every piece, we get to be around each other, and we are outgoing concern. I've had great conversations with everybody. Haven't had enough time to spend with everybody, as I would like, because it's not enough time. I can't remember what Bible book it was, but we read about one of the feasts in Jerusalem where they had so much to stay in Georgia so much they extended it for another week.
Every feast, I feel the same way. I was like, well, if I could just get another week, I've just gotten used to this. I don't know how that would work. I'm sure it would be a nightmare for Bob who has to arrange it all. For the rest of us, it would be great. Unfortunately, this world we live in, we can't do that. , And you don't have to go there, but in John 15 verses 12 through 14, This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. You are my friends if you do whatever I command you. These things I command you, that you love one another. What is clear from these scriptures is that we have to love. It is a given. You guys make it easy, but we have to love, but it's not just each other. We'll get into this later, but we have to love. We don't have to. We do have to, but it should be natural for us.
As we go through baptism, through conversion, we get more and more concerned for our fellow human beings. They don't know. You've heard this a lot of times. They don't know about the kingdom. They don't know that there is a kingdom. They don't understand how the kingdom government works. And what they do know about it, they don't really like so much because it sounds like just a more oppressive form of what we already have, which is, of course, absolutely not the case. , as Christians, we are to be speaking truth and love, and that's it from Ephesians.
As the Apostle Paul wrote, Who do we love, and who not?
Scripture says, Love not the world. Does that mean the people of the world we are not to love, or just the wrong things in the world that we are not supposed to love? 16 that all the Protestants quote, it is recorded that Jesus said, For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son. But notice in Romans 5 verses 6 through 9, For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcity for a righteous man will one die, yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love towards us. and that while we are still sinners, Christ died for us. Yes, even while we were sinners, Christ died for us. We were supposed to emulate Christ Jesus because He did everything in His life perfectly. There were no flaws anywhere. And I forgot to mention this, but I'm gleaning most of this from Cogwriter articles, and instead of telling you which articles they are, when you use Cogwriter.com, I think it is,
You can use a search to put down Who is my neighbor?
or Who should I love?
You can type a search and find so much information. You can keep yourself busy for as long as you need to. , in 1 Corinthians 11 verse 1, Paul says, Be you followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. So Paul emulated Jesus Christ. He followed Jesus Christ, and he encouraged us to follow Jesus Christ as he followed. And often, the Church of Rome, including from its Fatima apparition, has stated to suffer for sinners by intentionally causing oneself pain. But no, we are not to intentionally harm ourselves and think that's going to help sinners. It is kind of ridiculous.
If you hurt yourself, how's that helping anybody?
But , what we are to do is to love sinners and live our life as lights. 4-16, and I'm gonna have to rush through, so I'm gonna have to, . You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden, nor do thee light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand. And it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. Now let's go to Romans 1, we're gonna look at some of Paul's early writings. We're going to look at some definitions and some Greek words. Romans 1 verses 1, verse 6 and verse 7. Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle separated unto the gospel of God, among whom we also are called of Jesus Christ. Paul was called, we are called, to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints. Not only are we called, we are called to be saints.
Paul was called to be an apostle. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The term called in all three of those verses is from the Greek word . I don't speak Greek, so I hope I got it right. It means you're invited, appointed, chosen. Saints is from the Greek word . It means sacred, physically pure, morally blameless, and consecrated. Do we always consider, as we deal with another human being, that we are doing to God whatever we do to that person? This knowledge should have a powerful impact when we consider our relationship with our neighbor. In addition, God says, if a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother, whom he has seen,
How can he love God whom he has not seen?
At this commandment we have from him, that he who loves God loves his brother also. 20. Our neighbors, each and every one of them, are made in God's likeness and are to become God. 6. We do begin to see the importance God places on relationships between human beings made in his likeness. Every human being is a potential member of the God family. And we must not do anything to deter our neighbor from fulfilling God's purpose in his life. This must be the underlying premise upon which we base our every thought and deed toward our neighbor. Christ taught, As ye would that men should do to you, you do also to them likewise, in Luke 6:31. The apostle John wrote, We know that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren. 14. If we can do this, we are perceiving our neighbor from God's point of view. This, then, is loving our neighbor as ourself. The apostle Paul wrote, Love suffers long and is kind.
Love does not envy. Love does not parade itself, is not puffed up, does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil. does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth, bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13, 4 through 7. Love is patient. Love is kind. Love is not envious. It is not boastful. It is not puffed up. It does not act unbecomingly. It does not seek the things of its own. It is not easily provoked. It keeps no account of wrongs. It does not delight at unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But now these three things abide, faith, hope, love. But the greatest of these is love. First Corinthians, verse 13, 4 through 88. The apostle John wrote, Beloved, Let us love one another, for love is of God.
And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this, the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world that we might live through Him. In this is love, not only that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be deprobation. propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world, Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him and he in God. And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him.
Love has been perfected among us in this, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love him because he first loved us. If someone says, I love God and hates his brother, he is a liar. For he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from him, that he who loves God must love his brother also. We already read that in 1 John, but repetition is good. , the importance of love is confirmed by many in the New Testament. Notice the following statement from the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:13, if you want to go there. Paul said, And now abide faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13 verse 13.
The Good Samaritan Parable expands this idea, advocating compassion beyond social or ethnic boundaries. The Continuing Church of God, CCOG, emphasizes that love your neighbor is universal, not restricted by proximity or status, and highlights continuity between Old and New Testament teachings. Other religions, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism, also support caring for neighbors through concepts like justice, loving kindness, and nonviolence, reinforcing neighborliness as a global moral value. While practice may vary, most cultures recognize its importance or at least pay lip service to the concept. True Christianity is based on love. David wrote the following in Psalm 119, And I will delight myself in your commandments, which I love. My aunts, I will lift up to your commandments, which I love, and I will meditate on your statutes. Oh, how I love your law. It is my meditation all the day. You, through your commandments, make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers, for your testimonies are my meditation. I understand more than the ancients because I keep your precepts. I have restrained my feet from every evil way. I hate the double-minded, but I love your law. Time for you to act, O Lord, for they have regarded your law as void. Therefore I love your commandments more than gold, yes, more than fine gold. Consider how I love your precepts. Revive me, O Lord, according to your loving kindness. I hate and am ***** lying, but I love your law. Seven times a day I praise you because of your righteous judgments. Great peace have those who love your law, and nothing causes them to stumble. Lord, I hope for your salvation, and I do your commandments. My soul keeps your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly. You should love God's commandments as well. Notice something written by the apostle John. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves him who begot also loves him who is begotten of him.
By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. I've actually had this discussion with people. They say, keeping God's commandments are so hard. If you really think about it, it's mostly don't do this and don't do that. It's easier to obey them than it is not to obey them. It's hard to convince a worldly person of this, but it's actually easier. It's easier to keep the Sabbath. It's a day where you don't have to do all these things.
What are we supposed to do?
We're supposed to love.
Is love really that hard to do?
Well, . The following is from a disciple of John, Polycopus Myrna's letter to the Philippians. I have greatly rejoiced with you and our Lord Jesus Christ, because you have followed the example of true love as displayed by God. He who raised him up from the dead will raise up us also, if we do his will, and walk in his commandments, and love what he loved, keeping ourselves from all unrighteousness. If you carefully study, you will find to be the means of building you up in that faith which has been given you, and which, being followed by hope and preceded by love toward God and Christ and our neighbor. Let us teach, first of all, ourselves to walk in the commandments of the Lord. Next, teach your wives to walk in the faith given to them, and in love and purity, tenderly loving their own husbands in all truth, and loving all others equally in all chastity. Letter to the Philippians. The following is from Herbert Armstrong's book, The Mystery of the Ages.
True religion, God's truth empowered with the love of God, imparted by the Holy Spirit, joy unspeakable of knowing God and Jesus Christ, of knowing truth and the warmth of God's divine love. And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
And what was Jesus' appearance?
It was that of a human man, for He also was the Son of Man. Most important of all, however, is what is God's nature, his character. Like, one cannot know what God is unless he knows what his character is. The character of both God the Father and Christ the Son is that of spiritual holiness, righteousness and absolute perfection. That character might be summed up in one word, love, defined as an outflowing loving concern. It is the way of giving, serving, helping, sharing, not the get way. It is the way devoid of coveting, lost, and greed, vanity, and selfishness, competition, strife, violence, destruction, envy, and jealousy, resentment and bitterness. God's law is spiritual and can be summed up in one simple but all-inclusive word, love. His law for the guidance of human conduct is subdivided into the two great commandments, love toward God, and love toward neighbor. These, in turn, are subdivided into the Ten Commandments.
Jesus magnified this law by showing how its principle expands to cover virtually every possible human infraction. Bear in mind the government of God is based on the law of God, which is the way of life outflowing love, cooperation, concern for the good of the governed. Full comprehension of God's law, His way of life, is imparted by God through the Holy Spirit. But the law of God requires action and performance, and love is the fulfilling of God's law, Romans 13:10. And it can be fulfilled only by the love of and from God, Romans 5:5. In the plagues God caused against Egypt, God was turning the Egyptian gods and objects of worship against them to show them that these were not gods. Even the plagues were sent in love for the Egyptians. A Christian must grow and develop in grace, spiritual knowledge and godly character, showing more love or outgoing concern toward others. And the very basic teaching, belief, and doctrine of God's true church, therefore, is based on the righteousness and obedience to the law of God.
That law is love, but it's not human love. Human love cannot rise above the level of human self-centeredness. It must be the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. Romans 5 again. Ancient Israel could not really obey God's law. They could have kept it according to the strict letter of the law, but since love is the fulfilling of the law and they had only human self-centered love, they could not have kept the law according to the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet been given. This basic teaching includes, therefore, all the fruits of the Holy Spirit, love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, et cetera. The teachings of God's true church are simply those of living by every word of the Holy Bible. Men shall turn away from the way of get, the way of give, God's way of love. A new civilization shall now grip earth. I meant to say to the way of give, God's way of love.
Proclaiming that new civilization is to come and be based upon love is a major part of what the true gospel of the kingdom is all about. Getting back to the apostle John, he also wrote, He who says I know him and does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps his word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in him. He who says he abides in him of himself also as he walked. That's 1 John 2. My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth and shall assure our hearts before him. 1 John 3, 18, 19. We walk in love by doing the things that demonstrate love. The apostle John referred to part of it in one place as gospel of the grace of God. The apostle Paul also wrote, though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become a sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
And though I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it prompts me nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3 Many think that they have knowledge, faith, etc., and think that they are fine. But most Christians in the end times do not have Philadelphian love. They do not have the work that God expects them to have. Jesus warned that the Laodiceans thought they needed nothing, but he said that they needed to change, Revelation 13 verses 14 through 22. Paul says love, however, does not puff up in 1 Corinthians. The Apostle Paul wrote, For even when we were with you, we command to do this. If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies.
Now those who are such, we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work in quietness and eat their own bread. But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary in doing good. 2 Thessalonians 3, verses 10 through 14. Most Laodiceans think they do not have to be all that concerned about what, if any, work to support. Many are weary and, for example, see no need to provide support to many Africans. They seem to not think that the following is applicable. We know that we have passed from death to life because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us, and we also ought to lay our lives down for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods and sees his brethren need and shoves up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?
14-17. Let me add that the CCOG spends a higher percentage of its income on helping the poor brethren than any other COG that is in the top 10 or 20 XWCG groups. Helping poor brethren is not a priority for most of the Laodiceans or their churches. Paul wrote in 2 Thessalonians 3 and 5 if you want. Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patience of Christ. That being said, many Laodiceans say that they have endured enough, hence do not wish to risk making the type of changes that those with the Philadelphian love would make. Love never fails and is more important than what many in the last days are focused on. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail whether there are tongues, they will cease whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophecy in part but when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child. I understood as a child. I thought as a child, but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now by faith, hope, love, these three, but the greatest of these is love. That's 1 Corinthians 13, verses 18 to 13. To learn more about your own role, please check out the article What is the Meaning of Life? Neighborliness is intimately connected to notions of justice and mercy, ethical dilemmas and boundaries. Determining who qualifies as a neighbor can present ethical dilemmas.
Should neighborly love extend to those who harm or threaten us?
How do we balance compassion with prudence?
We in the CCOG acknowledge the need for boundaries, arguing that while compassion is essential, it must be tempered by wisdom and responsibility. The articles in Cogwriter warn against enabling destructive behavior or neglecting legitimate self-care, advocating for a balanced approach to neighborly ethics. Globalization and the expansion of community. In the contemporary world, globalization has expanded the boundaries of community, making the concept of neighbor more complex and inclusive. Through digital communication, international travel, and economic interdependence, individuals are increasingly connected to people across the globe. It could be argued that these developments challenge traditional notions of neighborliness, requiring a reexamination of our ethical responsibilities to distant others in order to live as true Philadelphians. However, the solutions of the world are doomed to fail.
Only the Kingdom of Heaven can truly end all suffering. Criticisms of universal neighborliness. Some critics argue that the ideal of universal neighborliness is unrealistic or impractical, citing limitations of resources, cultural differences, and conflicting interests. Yes, these issues are exactly why mankind will never be able to solve these challenges without divine intervention. However, the moral imperative to love one's neighbor remains valid. Universal lack of natural affection. What are some of the reasons why people become pardoned in a cold, unmerciful attitude? Totally lacking in compassion. Today's widespread lack of natural affection is a worldwide cancerous-like spiritual affliction, abortion, LGBTQ, etc. And the seeds of this lack of love and compassion often take root early in our lives. Truly, we are living in perilous times. the latter days, foretold by the apostle Paul.
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, and without natural affection. Fierce, in 2 Timothy 3. This prophecy clearly reveals that in our time, men would be self-lovers. We see this all the time, too. We even struggle with ourselves sometimes. But they would be woefully lacking in a natural affection which a normal person should possess towards his fellow man. They would have extreme hostility, fierceness, verse 3, toward their neighbors, instead of loving their neighbors as themselves. Paul also showed that this world's leaders, both religious and secular, do not like to retain God in their knowledge, from Romans 1:28. This is certainly true of most of today's churches, colleges, and other man-made institutions of learning. Man's religious organizations and his secular institutions of higher learning are primarily responsible for producing this blighted, bumper crop of hardened minds.
Since this world's leaders don't wish to retain God in their knowledge, God has given them over to a reprobate mind. Verse 28. Such minds are destitute of the real truth, being filled with all unrighteousness, maliciousness, murder, malignity, despiteful, without natural affection, impeccable, unmerciful, 29 and 31. Such hate-filled minds often display open hostility not only toward their fellow man, but also toward their very Creator, Romans 8 verse 7. There are other important reasons for this universal lack of natural affection. Stop. Look carefully around you for the real answer. The seeds of ruthlessness are planted early in life. In today's topsy-turvy world, little tots are brought up playing with killer toys. They figuratively mow down their own brothers, sisters, and playmates. In a typical home, these same children are often subjected to constant family bickerings between various members of the family, between husband and wife, parents and children.
between members of the family and the outside community. Then, in addition, today's children are often not shown the right type or the right amount of real love and affection by their parents and other members of the family. Such children, reared in this dog-eat-dog society of ours, soon conclude that if they are to survive, they will have to look out for number one and let the devil take the hindmost. This isn't all. Modern children from infancy on up are subjected to a continued insidious barrage of horror and violence via TV, the cinema, video games, and other forms of mass entertainment. Such little children, potential sons of God, are also the victims of their nation's propaganda. which conditions their little pliable minds to hate the supposed enemies of their country, the Germans, Japanese, Russians, Chinese, Jews, Arabs, and everybody you can think of. Worldwide hate and violence.
Remember Jesus Christ foretold that these days immediately preceding his return to this earth in supernatural splendor would parallel the days of Noah. And in Noah's time, the earth was filled with violence, Genesis 6:11. But never before in mankind's 6,000 year history has he been subjected to such unprecedented hate and violence, hot and cold wars, race riots, family brawls, rapes, muggings, and other types of bodily assaults, not to mention the vicarious enjoyment of ready-made violence through our entertainment media. In this heartless world, human beings often have more concern for their pets than they have for their friendly human beings. When the Russians first shot a dog into space, countless Britons loudly voiced their protests. But when a man was later sent into space, there was hardly a murmur.
When will human beings come to their senses?
The 40 million human beings-- or more than that now, this was written some time ago-- including over 6 million Jews killed during the terrible carnage of World War II offer a new testimony of this world's cold, cruel, heartlessness. You and I, members of God's Church, grew up in this harsh, competitive world. Whether we realize it or not, we have imbibed all too freely of this world's ideas and attitudes. Without realizing it, we have become tainted with this worldwide lack of natural compassion. But are we doomed to remain shackled with this world's dog-eat-dog attitude of mind? Certainly not. God has solemnly promised for sin shall not have dominion over you. For ye are not under the death penalty of the law, but under grace, pardon. 14. Our Creator has bound himself to provide a means of deliverance from every temptation we will ever face. God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make a way to escape that you might be able to bear it.
1 Corinthians 10:13.
How to overcome this hardness?
There are three vital steps we must take if we want to overcome a hard-hearted attitude. First, we need to recognize the fact that many in God's Church are sadly lacking in natural affection. This is the first step in overcoming this spiritual disease. Next, We must admit our lack, confess it to God, and ask our loving Creator to help us overcome this universal lack of compassion for others. Then we must do our part to overcome this character weakness by drinking in of the mind and character of God through prayer and diligent Bible study. We can learn how to overcome this lack of natural affection by carefully studying God's Word to see how the great men of the Bible Christ, David, Joseph, and others thought and acted, how they exhibited great love and compassion towards others. And we can see how these men of God showed real godly affection. By diligently studying and carefully following their examples, we can and will overcome this universal spiritual affliction, this gaping lack of natural compassion.
Christ's infinite compassion, Christ's early life was a perfect shining example revealing His deep love, mercy, and compassion for all men. He continually taught men to have a forgiving, merciful attitude toward their fellow man. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Matthew 5 and 7. God hates cruelty. Proverbs 11:17 and 12:10. God disinherited two of Jacob's sons in Genesis 49:5 and 7. because of their cruelty in slaying all the men of a certain town, when only one man was guilty. 25. Jesus further admonishes us, For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you forgive not men their trespass, neither will your Father forgive your trespass. 14 and 15. The person who is unmerciful toward others will be judged harshly by God. For he, the unmerciful person, shall have judgment without mercy that hath showed no mercy. James 2 verse 13.
Christ not only taught mercy and compassion, but he also practiced it. And his ultimate supreme sacrifice upon the cross was the final capstone, proving his boundless love and compassion for all humanity. Notice carefully the following examples of the deep compassion which Jesus Christ felt for ordinary erring people. people. On one occasion, Jesus noticed the milling throng that was deeply touched at the froth of their spiritual wretchedness. But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd . Christ then told his disciples that they should pray that God would spend more laborers into the harvest. On another occasion, Jesus went forth and saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick, Matthew 14:14. Christ performed his miracle of multiplying the loaves and fishes because of his deep feeling for the people.
I have compassion on the multitude, said Jesus. Two blind men sitting by the roadside near Jericho cried out to Jesus, Have mercy on us, O Lord, thou son of David. 30. So Jesus had compassion on them, and touched their eyes, and immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed him. On still another occasion, Christ was deeply moved by the sorrow of a widow who had just lost her only son. And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not. 13. Jesus then raised her dead son to life, out of sheer pity for this desolate widow. One of the most moving examples of Christ's deeply felt emotion was shown through his profound concern over the awful calamity about the befall of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the very ones who would later cry out for his blood. Jesus stood upon the Mount of Olives, surveying the rather peaceful looking city of Jerusalem lying below.
And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and wept over it, saying, If thou hadst known even thou, at least in this thy day, the things which belong unto thy peace. For the days shall come upon thee, that thine enemies-- the Romans-- shall cast a trench about thee, and come to see around, and keep thee on every side, and shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children with thee. And they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another. And historically, we know that did actually happen. That's Luke 19. And his prophecy was fulfilled with dreadful accuracy, as recorded by Josephus. The Romans raised Jerusalem, butchered and slaughtered many thousands of Jews inhabiting the city. The victors carried the rest of the Jews to the far-flung corners of the Roman Empire as bond slaves. And then, after Christ had spent three and one half years going about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the devil,
He obediently, willingly gave himself in the supreme sacrifice on the stake at Golgotha. Jesus, even in his agonizing death throes, was so filled with love, mercy, and compassion that he was able to sum it up enough pity to exclaim, Father, forgive them. They don't know what they do, in Luke 23. Those were the words of the most noble, self-sacrificing, and compassionate man ever born of a woman. What an example for us to follow. Christ certainly never let his love for people wax cold. Joseph's natural affection. Another shining example of one who possessed great natural affection was Jacob's son, Joseph. His brethren, because of envy, sold him into slavery. Later, when he had become the prime minister over all of Egypt, Joseph revealed his love and compassion for his guilt-ridden brethren. For some time, Joseph purposely concealed his true identity from his brethren. Nevertheless, he supplied them and their families with plenty of food to nourish them.
Finally, however, Joseph could contain himself no longer. In one mighty burst of love and compassion, he revealed to his startled brethren that he was in fact their long-lost brother, Joseph, whom they had sold into slavery many years previously. Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all of them that stood by him. And he cried, caused every man to go out from me. And he wept aloud. And the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard. And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph. That's in Genesis 45, 1-3. Joseph, revealing great mercy, asked them not to be grieved because of their past sin against him in this matter. And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck and wept. And Benjamin wept upon his neck. Moreover, he kissed all his brethren and wept upon them. Verses 14 and 15.
Any lack of natural affection here?
Any false modesty against a man shedding tears here?
Certainly not. The Bible does not teach that a real he-man should never show his emotions. Merciful David David of all men, mentioned in the Bible, was spoken of as being a man after God's own heart, 1 Samuel 13:14.
Does God have human-like emotions?
Yes. The scriptures reveal God has emotions, love, hate, sorrow. Balanced, emotionally well-adjusted person, very similar to those possessed by a balanced, emotionally well-adjusted person. David was a robust, wholehearted, likable person. He made a number of serious mistakes, but when these sins were pointed out to him, he bitterly repented. 13 and Psalm 51. He learned the real meaning of mercy. David cried out to God, Have mercy on me, O God. Blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly. Cleanse me from my sin, for I acknowledge my transgressions. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned and done this evil. Purge me with hyssop. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 1-10. Yes, David really repented of his adultery and subsequent murder. He was a man of considerable emotion.
and he possessed a lot of natural affection. On many occasions during his life, David showed his loyalty to God and to King Saul by repeatedly refusing to take Saul's life. But Saul's end in cruelty drove him to seek David's destruction. David's depth of natural affection, his great compassion, was perhaps best revealed in his behavior at the death of his rebellious son, Absalom. Absalom committed insurrection against his father. By flattery and deceit, he stole the hearts of the men of Israel away from loyalty to his father, David. That's in 2 Samuel 15. Absalom's high treason finally culminated in his proclaiming himself king instead of his father, David. David and his loyal servants had to flee to keep from being slain. In spite of Absalom's treachery, David loved his son so much that he sternly charged his soldiers not to harm him. This command, however, was not obeyed. Goliab took the darts in his hand and thrust them through his heart of Adalasalom, while he was yet alive in the midst of the oak.
Second Samuel.
When David was informed that Absalom had been slain, what was his reaction?
And the king was much grieved, and went up to the chamber over the gate and wept. And as he went, thus he said, O my son Absalom, my son, my son Absalom, would God I had died for thee, O Absalom, my son, my son. David's grief was so bitter that he covered his face, and the king cried with a loud voice, O my son Absalom, O Absalom, my son, my son, 2 Samuel 19. Yes, David was a man who had a tremendous capacity for compassion. Many of the songs David wrote are filled with deep emotion. They reveal the mind of a merciful, compassionate person. David could never praise God enough for the limitless mercy and compassion which God had personally granted him. The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and plenteous in mercy. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him. to those that remember his commandments to do them.
That's Psalm 103. Learn to be compassionate. Can you, brethren, now see the importance of learning to express more compassion, especially in this age when there is so little natural affection in the world? If we don't naturally have sympathy and compassion for people, then God will give it to us if we ask him for it in faith, and all things whatever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive, said Jesus Christ in Matthew 21, 22. We must learn to be soft-hearted. But this does not mean we should be soft-headed. Bowels of mercies. In this competitive, cutthroat, dog-eat-dog world in which we live, there is very little compassion, mercy, or even natural affection. But even though we may not have been born with a lot of natural affection, we can receive God's supernatural love, mercy, and compassion. after we repent, are baptized, and receive His precious Holy Spirit. This is the vital power from on high, Luke 24 verse 39 and Acts 1 and 8, which changed a cowardly, cringing Peter into a man of boldness in Matthew 26:69-75 also, and Acts 22:14-40.
some members of the very body of Christ let themselves get upset because of something which one of their brethren says or does, or supposedly says or does. Instead of ignoring, overlooking, and forgiving the insult, or the supposed wrong, such people develop a hard, unmerciful attitude to let some disappointment, some grievance, or imagined grievance, disturb them so much that they find that a root of bitterness spring up in their heart, thereby becoming defiled. And they sometimes contaminate others with their hard-hearted, bitter attitude. Some people have had this problem with management and various things, too. We're just people. We should have compassion for one will. We are commended, looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God, lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. 15. Yes, brethren, we need to be very careful not to let hate fill our hearts.
Don't ever let your love and compassion grow cold. We must learn to follow Christ's example. Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. For this reason we are commanded, put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies. kindness, humbleness of mind, weakness, longsuffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another. If any have a quarrel against any, even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness. Colossians 3, verses 12 through 14. The NKJB refers to these as tender mercies, if it sounds better than Val's. We are further admonished by James, the brother of Jesus Christ, to be very careful to show pity and compassion. If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food, and what if you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled? Notwithstanding, ye give them not those things which are needful to the body, what does it profit?
15. I think it's the New King James, but I didn't know that, not the New, the Old. James shows that faith without words is dead. And the apostle John was inspired to add, But whoso obeyed this world's good, and sees his brother as need, and shutteth up his vows of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1 John 3:17. That is the King James version. We all need God's mercy.
How do you react to the suffering of others?
Have you become so calloused or hardened toward suffering that you no longer feel any sympathy, that you no longer feel any real sympathy or empathy toward those who suffer deprivation or physical pain? We must all be aware, lest we become so hardened in sin that we let our love grow cold, lose our first glow of love, warmth and spiritual zeal. I am sometimes appalled to see the hard, critical attitude of some members of God's church toward their own brethren or even toward people in the world. We should never say or think. It served them right. He had it common. We are commanded to not even so much as rejoice when our enemy stumbles or falls. 17. One of the best ways to learn compassion is to develop the habit of putting yourself in the place of the other person who may be suffering deprivation embarrassment, shame, physical pain. Don't judge too quickly. And don't ever condemn. You can't always know the motives behind a person's actions.
We are commanded, speak not evil of one another, brethren. 11.
How can we make sure that our love doesn't grow cold?
Can we learn to have more compassion and natural affection for people?
Here's how. One, realize that we are lacking in affection. Two, confess our lack to God and ask Him for His love, mercy, and compassion, imparted by His precious Holy Spirit, to help us overcome our lack. Three, diligently search the scriptures so that we can know and follow the examples of the holy men of God, men who did have a lot of natural affection, men who did show a lot of mercy and compassion toward their fellow men, who we can overcome. Through God's help, we can overcome with any lack of natural affection. With his help, we can learn to have more compassion for people. We can really overcome our character weaknesses. And if you keep close to God in study, prayer, and fasting, we will overcome. Brethren, you have seen Christ's warning that the love of many shall wax cold. You know what God requires of you. It is up to you, with the help of God, to overcome any lack of natural affection, any lack of compassion, which you have developed through the years.
Your love will not grow cold if you willingly let God's spirit mold within you God's very character, His love, and compassion. That's from an article by Raymond McNair, Will Your Love Wax Cold in the Good News, April 1967. In the time of the end, most real Christians will have their love grow and wax cold. Laodiceans do not have enough love for others, but not too much on themselves, or but much too much on themselves. The word Laodicea can be rendered the people rule, judgment of the people or the people decide. Laodicea is characterized by a rejection of the governments accepted by the Philadelphians, the acceptance of church leaders in accordance with scripture. 28, Ephesians 4:11-16, and by a general lukewarm attitude. Thus, governance can be seen as a key distinction between Philadelphia and Laodicea. Laodicea places emphasis on self of the individuals or the leaders as opposed to proclaiming the whole truth, including the gospel.
Thus, it also waters down the truth. and so is rebuked and chastened, and counseled to buy from me gold refined in the fire in Revelation 3:18-19. Because Laodicea is dominant at the end of the age, Philadelphia cannot be predominant in numbers then. However, a portion of Philadelphia must still exist. We know this because Jesus told the Philadelphians, Because you have kept my command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world. to test those who dwell on the earth. Behold, I am coming quickly. That's in Revelation 3 verses 10 to 11. The Philadelphians, those are the Philadelphian remnant of the Church of God, are the only ones promised protection. The Philadelphians are given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time from the presence of the serpent, Revelation 12:14.
Now what does love have to do with the Philadelphia remnant?
Notice the following passage. Let brotherly love continue in Hebrews 13:1. The Greek word translated as brotherly love is the word Philadelphia. The writer of the book of Hebrews may have been inspired by God to convey two concepts. One, that brotherly love needs to continue amongst those who believe that they are Christian. to, and perhaps that Philadelphia itself needs to continue. And it can do so because of its emphasis on love. It is important for all to realize that despite flaws of Christians, and we all have them, including those of us of the Philadelphia remnant, that love is what God's way of life and His kingdom really are all about. And that spreading that message of love and all of God's ways is what the continuing Church of God wants to be about. The next part's going to be a message from the first Sabbath service of the Continuing Church of God. Maybe you remember it. It was also the first message that Dr.
Till gave in Kenya when he visited there in 2014. Strong's exhaustive concoines shows that Philadelphia means love of brethren or fond of brethren. When Jesus used the term pilio, Don't speak Greek. I don't have any idea if I'm right. But , with Simon Peter, translated as love, what was Peter to do to show this type of love? He was to do the work.
He said to him the third time, Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me?
Peter was grieved because he said to him the third time, Do you love me?
And he said to him, Lord, you know all things. You know that I love you. Jesus said to him, Feed my sheep. John 21 verse 17. A trait of Philadelphians is that they love the brethren and will sacrifice to do so. While some might argue that this only means taking care of those already in the church, this is inconsistent with Matthew 28 verses 18 through 19, as well as Jesus's words in John 10:16. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold. Them also I must pray, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock and one shepherd. Philadelphians love others, not just themselves. As Herbert W. Armstrong wrote, this era of the church was to produce fruit. Mystery of the Ages, page 290. True religion, God's truth empowered with the love of God imparted by the Holy Spirit, joy unspeakable of knowing truth and the warmth of God's divine love. mystery of the ages. As Jesus taught, For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospels will save it.
Mark 8:35. Philadelphians will give their all to proclaim the gospel. Philadelphians have a little strength, have kept my word, and have not denied my name. Revelation 3:8. They are not a part of an especially strong church or a large church by the world's standards. They have kept God's word throughout without watering it down. They have not denied Christ's authority, which is essentially how Strong's defines the word to translate it as name. The Philadelphians accept that Christ is the head of the church, 23, and accept authority within the church. And he himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry. for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we are all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the treachery of men, in the cunning of craftiness of deceitful plotting, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head.
11-15. Philadelphians are organized, and they need to keep preaching to the world until the end comes, since they will be around until the end comes. Philadelphians have the love of God and their neighbors to do the proclamation work. They will also assist in the preparation for the short work God will accomplish, Romans 9 verse 28. See also preparing for the short work and the famine of the work. You can use the search tab in Calgwriter to find these things. Your part. The old worldwide Church of God published the following. Your part. Outgoing love requires work along with willpower and determination. It is an uphill pole because human nature is not naturally outgoing. Human nature, as influenced by Satan the devil, the prince of the power of the air, Ephesians 2:2, is selfish. To be outgoing in love cuts against the grain of what we have been absorbing through Satan's influence all our lives.
Wisdom to try, wisdom to correctly guide your efforts, wisdom to keep trying in spite of all adversity, wisdom to discern God's will, is an absolute necessity in learning to exercise true love. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting. 5-6. In faith, you must stand unwaveringly on your trust and conviction. In hope, you guide your action, expecting to receive the desire you have set your heart on. This hope adds the spiritual motivation to go forward. In love, you must act with unselfishness, with initiative and genuine concern for everyone. These three important ingredients are added to your gift of wisdom through effort on your part. They are all important, but the most important and the one that takes most effort is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13. Love and Godly character.
This is what life is all about. This is how you have your part in your own salvation. This process of creating Godly character in us is God's plan of creating children. It is His doing. But we also have our part. Besides our willpower and determination, it takes resourcefulness, perseverance, and drive, and his spirit. It requires breaking old habits, habits of thinking and acting selfishly. It then requires building new habits, habits of thinking and acting in outgoing love. The old habits are deeply ingrained, just as the new habits become deeply ingrained if they are to become part of us. quick pause. If you want to get rid of an old habit, as soon as you, by strength of will or however you manage to do it, if you don't replace it with something, the vacuum's going to get filled with something, probably something equally as bad. So this is why-- , back to the article. To build a habit, you must do a thing over and over until it becomes automatic behavior you need to practice.
It has been said that we are what we habitually are, and you become godlike when you become habitually and consistently godlike. God is love, and He acts habitually and consistently in outgoing love. That is what we are learning to do through His Holy Spirit. The basic laws of God are given for the purpose of developing godly love and good will. They are laws of love, 1 John 4:8. The meaning 1 Corinthians 13 makes it clear what love, true love, is. The word translated charity in the Authorized Version does not mean giving to the poor. Verse 3 clearly demonstrates that, to read it yourself, the Greek word translated charity is agape, not pileo, which is more commonly used to denote emotional love. Agape and vileo may have similar meanings, but vileo comes chiefly from the heart, explains Strong's exhaustive concordance, while agape comes from the head. It means to think and act toward others with genuine concern and tenderness.
It means having good will, feeling it deeply but intelligently. While the other word can be translated love, the Authorized Version translators use charity to distinguish this intelligent heartfelt concern, outgoing love or goodwill, agape, from the kind of emotion that the word love conveys to the average person. What true love is like, verse 4, shows that this agape, this intelligent outgoing love or goodwill, is always patient with others, suffering long with any grievance received from them. It is kind, unfailingly kind. As you will see by comparing verse 4 with verse 8, love never compares itself with others, 2 Corinthians 10 and 12, so that it is never envious, jealous, never bonds itself, boasts, to get self-acclaim. It is never puffed up, arrogant, self-important. Such puffed up ego only shows that you have compared yourself with others and found them beneath you. Good will will never behave unseemly.
unpleasantly or unbecomingly. Philippians 4 verse 8 also adds information on the pleasant things we should do instead. Whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, there is any virtue, and if there is anything praiseworthy, meditate on these things. True love seeks not its own. It is not self-centered, not carnal, 1 Corinthians 13:5. It is not easily provoked, aroused to anger. It thinks no evil, does not dwell on the ugly, wicked side of others' behavior, nor is resentful or bitter. And it never rejoices in hearing or seeing iniquity. Instead, it rejoices in truth and wholesomeness, verse 6. If a person belittles or insults you, Real love never causes you to rail back, but it bears all things, forebears in all provocations. It never inflicts harm for harm, evil for evil, or insult for insult.
This agape believes the best in all matters. It does not show unpleasantness and ill will by doubting or causing dissent, but hopes for the best in all things. It is not negative. God's love endures all things. It is not negative. God's love endures all things, trials, unpleasant episodes, differences of opinion, misunderstandings. Do not send it off in a corner to mope or to turn away in bitterness. It does not lose friends over them. It does not give up. It never fails. When everything else has failed, true love, genuine goodwill, and outgoing concern for others will still be going strong. Jesus Christ's example while on the stay is one that we should strive to follow. He said of all his scowling, bloodthirsty, hate-built tormentors, Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do. Luke 23:34.
Can you still be a friend to those who hate you?
Can you still have good will toward them?
Can you still be concerned for their welfare?
You must, you know. And you must come to have it habitually and consistently. How to have true love. If you want to live and act in love and goodwill, go to the author of all that is good. Ask him prayerfully to give you this attitude and show you the way. Expect him to answer and to keep on giving it to you as long as you are trying to give up your old self-centeredness and striving to live God's way. Then follow God's biblical instructions on how to behave towards others in love and goodwill. Live by the laws of love. Your selfish, human nature has always had its way in the past and will continue to crop up. So you must continue to resist self-will while you step out in faith to do God's will, goodwill. Like a baby's first steps, your first attempts may not be very skillful. You may stumble, you may even fall. But dust yourself off, ask for forgiveness, and try again, and again, and again, and again, until you habitually come to have good will, God's will, toward all people.
Romans 13 verses 8 through 9, if you want to go there. Romans 13, 13 verses 8 through 9 says, Owe no man anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, you shall not covet, and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, you shall love your neighbor as yourself. It takes work to be outgoing. You won't even think to do it without effort, and it won't be successful even then if you don't stay close to God. This also takes effort of will and energy. Yet, this love is absolutely required by God. It is a wonderful thing to have. No one will enter his kingdom without it. 31-46. Now is the time to marshal your energy to make certain you have God's great love. Develop it and radiate it all the rest of your life.
The time is short. It is later than you think. from Elliot J. RU Expressing True Love. Good news, June and July of 1984. Love is good for you in this age and the age to come. I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore, choose life, that both you and your descendants may live, that you may love the Lord your God, that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him. For he is your life and the length of your days, and that you may dwell in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them. Deuteronomy 30, 1920. And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all his ways and to love him? to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the Lord and His statutes, which I commend you today for your good.
Deuteronomy 10 verses 12 through 13. Jesus said to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment, and the second like is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Matthew 22. If you love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15. As the Father loved me, I also have loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. John 15:9-10. And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28. But as it is written, Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love him. 9. For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might through his Spirit in the inner man.
that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height, to know the love of Christ was passage knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God, Ephesians 3:14. Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 1 Timothy 1:5. But beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. For God is not unjust to forget your work and the labor of love which you have shown toward His name, and that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
9 through 12. Blessed is the man who endures temptation. For when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him. 12. If you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, you shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well. But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble at one point, he is guilty of all. For he who said, do not commit adultery, also said, do not murder. Now, if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 8-11. It is the highly dedicated in the real church of God that will finish the final phase of the work before Matthew 24:14. See also the video Implications of Matthew 24:14 and during Revelation 11:3-14, the Great Tribulation Day of the Lord. And the final phase will also involve dealing with a communical religion that will rise up.
4, 8, 14:19-13. And this is what the continuing Church of God is doing. See also the final phase of the Word. although various ones do not understand. True Christianity and the true Philadelphian remnant is all about love. Love towards God, love towards neighbor, and possessing a real love of the truth. For the Continuing Church of God, this is James Martinet.
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