Love

jesusdigsme · 03-22-2002, 09:38 AM

My question is sincere, please don't think otherwise...I'm not familiar with isms and indoctrinations, so please have patience with me...Where does the love of God fall into your belief systems? Calvins or whatever whoever...it's cool...what does your church or system of belief tell you about the love of God and have you experienced His love in a personal or manifested way?

Bryan · 03-22-2002, 12:23 PM

For me, becuase of God's complete love of Himself and His Name, it overflows as love towards us. For if God did not Love Himself more than anything else we would have no basis for Him to love us.

Jay42 · 03-22-2002, 12:52 PM

Hi jesusdigsme - great Avatar! (Spongebob)

Well, as I mentioned on another thread (link), I believe God has divinely intervened in my life and shown His love to me. I have felt glimpses of His peace and have been given comfort in times that I only should have felt fear. I have an inner happiness that is better than drugs and I can laugh at things that used to seem overwhelming. This is by no means a scientific proof of God's existence to a skeptic; but to me it is profound evidence of my savior's love for me.

As for the scripture & theology, I don't think there is enough room on the thread to list all the times the Bible upholds LOVE as the greatest virtue of all. It is abundantly clear in scripture that not only God loves us but we are commanded to love others!

perhaps · 03-22-2002, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bryan
For if God did not Love Himself more than anything else we would have no basis for Him to love us.

wow, i've never thought of that before

Quote:

Originally posted by Jay42
Hi jesusdigsme - great Avatar! (Spongebob)

YES

Luke · 03-22-2002, 01:09 PM

I agree with Bryan's post.

Phil · 03-22-2002, 06:41 PM

I'm glad God loves me... and saved me... and died for me...

Oh... and a little picture I took at Universal:

OliveShoot90 · 03-22-2002, 08:40 PM

of course you wouldn't be in it phil....:kroll:

Bryan · 03-22-2002, 10:32 PM

he's that short kid on the right

**+Donny** · 03-22-2002, 10:40 PM

*watches phil rub the horrible bruise given to him by bryan*

OUCH!!! man dude, that must have hurt

Bryan · 03-22-2002, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Donny
*watches phil rub the horrible bruise given to him by bryan*

OUCH!!! man dude, that must have hurt

teehee

**+Donny** · 03-22-2002, 10:57 PM

where in the bible does it say God loves himself bryan?

Bryan · 03-23-2002, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Donny
where in the bible does it say God loves himself bryan?

there is no direct verse that says that. It is a pattern consistent throughout the bible. That everything God does is for His glory and His namesake, becuase He values Himself above all else. God is uppermost in His own affections.

Unfortunately the book I have that has all my references for this is being borrowed by a friend. But God's happiness and His devotion to Himself is the basis for Christian Hedonism. It would be impossible for us to find joy in God if God was not happy.

Yet eventhough I don't have my references I can make a few statements that might help you understand this.

Everything in existance seeks to love what they perceive to be the greatest thing/person above all else. For some that is money, others powers, but as Christians we realize that God is the greatest person, and we place our love in Him becuase there is nothing greater than God to love. But what about God. Since God is the greatest and most maginificent, He loves Himself more than anything else. For if God were to love something more than Himself, it would meant that there is something or someone greater than God and God would cease to be God. So for God to be God he must love that which is the greatest and most magnificent, that being Himself. And His love is so for Himself is so great that it overflows onto us like a mountain spring overflows into the rivers and lakes surrounding it. If God loved anything more than Himself, we would have no basis for God to love us. And therefore God could not have loved the world to send His Son to be a propitiation for our sins.

Phil · 03-23-2002, 07:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bryan
he's that short kid on the right

Yep.. but I carefully cropped the picture so that you couldn't see my face or anything...

Phil · 03-23-2002, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Donny
where in the bible does it say God loves himself bryan?

Just as Bryan said, there isn't a verse that says that, but it is clear that the *entire Bible* is all about God getting glory and making his name known throughout the earth (and in heaven)

jesusdigsme · 03-23-2002, 07:46 AM

Okay new version of the question an addendum maybe...
Have you experienced God either loving people through you or God just giving you a tremendous love for people (specific people) that just blows your mind?
Obviously we know that God loves us, but has He every wrapped His arms around you and told you that He loves you.