LOVE IS THE NEW COMMANDMENT (31)/ MATTERS OF LOVING INDIFFERENCE (13)/ THE SURGERY OF LOVE

This Sunday service Pastor (Mrs) Silvia Lia Leigh preached another sermon in the series titled ‘Love is The New Commandment’. Her main scriptures were taken from the books of Romans 14:12-23; 1 Cor 8:1-13; Matt 5:27-30.

THE AGAPE LOVE OF GOD

Love is the greatest word in the Bible. In Greek, there are three words for love. Eros refers to sexual love. Philio refers to friendly attachment. Agape means unconditional sacrificial love. This Love is not just a feeling. It is the highest, most pure form of love, born not out of natural attraction or obligation, but a willful choice and a command to be obeyed.  It is the unselfish, pure, powerful, and sacrificial love that desires the best in another person. This love is best expressed as the Fatherly Love of God for humanity. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn 3:16). This is the Gospel: God the Father sent God the Son to become a Man and die on behalf of sinners. The unbelievers may be religious, but they do not know this agape love. Love is a gift given only to the children of God, who are saved by grace and thru faith in Christ. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (Jn15:13). Because we are born sinners, agape love does not come naturally to us. Agape love requires faithfulness, commitment, courage, strength, wisdom, faith, and sacrifice. Agape love is the magnet God uses to attract the world to Jesus! It was so in the early church, and during all the revivals in the history of the Church! God the Father gave us His only begotten Son, to save us! God the Son gave up His Life to pay for our sins! There is no greater Love than that!!!

MATTERS OF LOVING INDIFFERENCE

The Book of Romans is a masterpiece. It is considered the best Book in the Bible and the greatest piece of literature in the world. It is written by the great Apostle Paul. Many great men of God became born again by studying this Book. It contains the major doctrines of the Gospel. In the first 11 chapters, the Apostle writes about the doctrines of salvation. From chapter 12 to the end, he writes the application of these doctrines. The first two verses in chapter 12 are the basic scriptures on the application of doctrine. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Rom 12:1,2). We see that the Christian life is a life of sacrifice for the sake of Christ, to give glory to God! By faith in God’s Word, our minds are renewed and transformed. From starting as ‘babies’ in Christ, we become strong in the faith. Becoming spiritually mature is the aim for every believer. Agape Love is the engine of this transformation. The New Law of Love takes over obedience of the Law as found in the Old Testament.

In chapters 14 and 15 we find the practical application of the Gospel especially in the relationships between believers. Theologians call these principles ‘matters of indifference’ or ‘grey areas’. These are important teachings, but they are not essential to our salvation. They apply to the type of food Christians eat, the mode of dressing, the type of entertainment, the types of baptism, the type of prophecies, the importance of days and how we celebrate our faith. The major doctrines of the Bible cannot be argued about.  As Christians, we all must agree on the major doctrines in the Bible, but we can lovingly disagree on these matters of indifference. If something is forbidden, it is sin. There is no need to discuss it. For example, the Bible says that adultery is sin. We cannot debate that. We now study things that are not clearly forbidden in God’s Word and our attitude to them. Over the years these things have bought much confusion, pain, and division in the Body. The church is made of many believers; some are spiritually strong, and others are spiritually weak in the faith. The first lesson we must learn is that the Body is One!!! The strong ones are commanded not to despise the weak ones. The weak are commanded not to judge the spiritually strong. Lesson: Matters of indifference should never become central doctrines. We study these teachings so that we behave better, we love without quarreling or causing division in the Body. Selah!

These are some laws of agape Love:

1-NEVER BE A STUMBLING BLOCK TO ANYONE. DO NOT GRIEVE YOUR BROTHER.

2-DO NOT REJECT FOOD- PRAY! ALL FOOD IS CLEAN AND GOOD

3-NEVER DISCRIMINATE PEOPLE

4-DO NOT MISUSE YOUR FREEDOM TO DAMAGE YOUR GOOD TESTIMONY

5-DO NOT DAMAGE YOUR CONSCIENCE AND THE CONSCIENCE OF YOUR NEIGHBOUR

6-DO NOT LET YOUR GOOD BE SPOKEN OF AS EVIL

7-DO NOT LET BITTERNESS GROW IN YOU

8-LOVE CONTROLS AND LEADS KNOWLEDGE (THE SPIRIT LEADS THE SOUL)

NEVER BE A STUMBLING-BLOCK TO ANYONE 

In Greek, the word ‘stumbling-block’ is ‘skandalon’. It means an offence, a hidden snare, a trap-stick to catch animals in the bush. The animal is unaware of the trap because it is covered with leaves and grass. There is a bait hanging there. The animal makes one step towards the bait and touches a stick that moves the trap. The animal is caught alive in the snare. Except a man comes to free it, the animal will be killed and eaten by the hunter. Spiritually, by falling into such a snare, the weak in the faith goes astray or backslides. This Greek word is the origin of the English word ‘scandal’. The word ‘stumbling-block’ has two meanings: the first, is an obstacle on the way, like a tree that fell on the road, and blocking it. The second meaning is deception that leads you away from the road of faithfulness and truth. Both these meanings manifest as ‘verbal traps’ to lure someone in an argument that will end in defeat and destruction. For example, a Lawyer starts an argument with an illiterate man. The lawyer is setting a trap, building a stronghold in the man’s path. The lawyer has no love for the man! Another example of evil is when a pastor starts an argument with a baby Christian. He wins it! Selah!!!

Stumbling blocks always delay the progress of a believer. The strong in the faith is warned not to use his freedom in becoming a wicked hindrance towards the weak. Knowing that we shall all be judged by Christ, we should be careful that we do not offend others with our words and deeds. Do not discourage, intimidate, or manipulate the weak to act in doubt, fear, or against his conscience. Lesson: Do not think only of yourself. Think of others and the effect your words and deeds have on them. As they say, ‘no man is an island’. No man lives or dies to himself. We are all God’s property, and He will judge all we say and do! Selah!

LOVE CONTROLS AND LEADS KNOWLEDGE (THE SPIRIT LEADS THE SOUL)

“Now concerning things offered to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies. 2 And if anyone thinks that he knows anything, he knows nothing yet as he ought to know. 3 But if anyone loves God, this one is known by Him. 4 Therefore concerning the eating of things offered to idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is no other God but one. 5 For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth (as there are many gods and many lords), 6 yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live. 7 However, there is not in everyone that knowledge; for some, with consciousness of the idol, until now eat it as a thing offered to an idol; and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. 8 But food does not commend us to God; for neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we do not eat are we the worse. 9 But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak. 10 For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol’s temple, will not the conscience of him who is weak be emboldened to eat those things offered to idols? 11 And because of your knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? 12 But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never again eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble” (1 Cor 8:1-13).

In this letter, Apostle Paul discusses the different reactions of the Christians to eating or not eating food dedicated to idols. The first thing we learn is that food does not have a spiritual significance. To eat or not to eat is a matter of choice and of obeying your conscience. The strong in the faith have no problem with eating meat that may have been dedicated to idols. But the baby Christians, or the weak in the faith feel guilty when they eat it, when they imitate the spiritually strong and eat it, or when they are forced to eat it. In all these instances their consciences can be wounded, and the fellowship can be hurt. People with wounded spirits tend to withdraw and division manifests in the fellowship. Apostle Paul makes a point that we should pay the price to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the church. He also says that the motive of Love is greater than the motive of knowledge. The ‘heart’ is to lead ‘the mind’. In other words, the spirit should control the soul. Knowledge of the Bible is wonderful, but it tends to make us proud. Is it not true that when you listen to a Christian, or to a pastor, who does not know the doctrines of salvation as you do, you tend to criticize him in your mind. You feel proud of your knowledge. But Love is safer. Love does not become proud. Love is a builder and a helper. Love is humble and stronger than knowledge. Love leads!

Apostle Paul says: “Knowledge [alone] makes [people self-righteously] arrogant, but love [that unselfishly seeks the best for others] builds up and encourages others to grow [in wisdom]” (1Cor 8:1; AMP). He separates knowledge (theory) from the divine wisdom of Love that knows how to apply the knowledge. Knowledge alone without love for God and man is like a big balloon. It is impressive but it can explode anytime. There are many very intelligent people who cannot love anybody. They are geniuses in their field but bankrupt as husbands and fathers. Love keeps us humble and fruitful. The conscience warns us when we build empty balloons of pride and encourages us to love others and help them along the way. Lovers lead thinkers!

Concerning eating food dedicated to idols, Apostle Paul addresses especially the believers who are strong in the faith. They know God’s Word. They know their identity in Christ. They know that idols are nothing and all food is clean. They walk in strength, faith, and freedom. They are free from fear or doubts. Their consciences are free from condemnation or guilt. But there remains a danger: they may not walk in love. Lesson: It is easy to ignore love when your knowledge and faith are strong! You must be sensitive to the signals of both love and faith. Listen to both your mind and your heart! Faith connects with God. Love connects to both God and people. You may love God, but you may not love your neighbor as you love yourself. Be careful in your relationship with people, especially with the weak in the faith, who generally are the difficult brethren. Love for people should not be sacrificed on the altar of faith, knowledge, and success in life.

For better or for worse, our words, attitude, and actions, influence others. You are not free to say or do just anything you want to do. That is not freedom. It is called License, and it is sin. The word ‘License’ comes from a Latin word meaning ‘freedom to act’. It means a formal permission to act given by a legal authority. For example, you need a driving license to drive a car on the road. Bars need a license to serve alcohol. Doctors need a medical license to practice medicine. Licentious behavior is sin. It means excessive freedom, abusive disregard for rules of personal conduct. It includes sexual sins. Both freedom and license express themselves as personal powers. They seem alike but there is great difference between them. Freedom means the power to do what is right, within the boundaries and responsibilities of Love. License is the power to do what you want, ignoring the boundaries, and responsibilities of Love. Freedom builds character and loving relationships. License is totally selfish and destroys communities, families, and churches. True freedom is always connected with love for others. You don’t want to say or do something that becomes a stumbling block for others, to make them fall or backslide. Careless words and actions cause hurt and confusion in relationships and in the church.

By insisting on his freedom of action, the spiritually strong can wound the conscience of the weak. In Latin the word ‘conscience’ is made of two words: con (means together with) and science. In other words, conscience means ‘to know something together with God’. The conscience is a major component of the human spirit enabling us to know the difference between right and wrong, between God’s voice and the devil’s voice. An active healthy conscience influences the will. These are the three basic functions of the conscience:

*Telling us what to do at this present moment.

*Making us feel good (happy) when we do right.

*Making us feel guilty (anxious) when we do wrong.

*The Conscience separates truth (true doctrines) from lies (false doctrines).

*The Conscience convicts of religious sin and hypocrisy when you do not practically apply the truth that you know.

The strong in the faith know the truth: the so-called gods are fake. ‘The idol is nothing in the world and there is no other God but One’. For the Christians, there is only One God. He is the only Trinty God: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus made all things, and we live in Him. The believers in Christ are free to eat meat offered to idols because the idols are nothing. They can’t influence the meat. But the weak in the faith are afraid to eat such meat. Their conscience is weak and defiled. They still live in a form of bondage concerning the things connected with idol worshipping. They are afraid that eating meat offered to idols may affect their health.

The spiritually mature have a good conscience, clean, free of offence or guilt. Apostle Paul said: “Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day… This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men” (Ac 23:1; 24:16). This should be our desire too! A good conscience is sensitive to truth and free to speak. It has perfect peace and confidence as a Christian. It is free from guilt, shame, anxiety, or inferiority complexes.

A guilty conscience manifests as fear, anxiety, depression, misdirected anger, suspicion, withdrawal, lack of appetite, sleep disturbance, bitterness, loneliness, or busyness. When the flesh is active, the conscience is suppressed and damaged. When the Holy Spirit fills the believer it produces spiritual fruits like Love, Joy, and Peace. These fruits set him free from any law against him (Gal 5:19-23). That is why the conscience is free, healthy, active, strong and at peace with God and self. These spiritual fruits are the only perfect protection against guilt, doubts, and fears. A believer who is Spirit filled is the only person that you can safely trust with the needs of your soul. He is gentle and wise, loving and patient to pray for you and to counsel you rightly. Be careful when choosing a life partner, friends, mentors, and pastors. Anyone who walks in the flesh is dangerous to others and to himself. Selah!     

Let us take the example of eating meat that may have been dedicated to idols. The Jews had strict ceremonial and dietary laws. All their food, especially the meat, needed to be approved by the priests that it was lawful. In every city, the Jews had their own butcher and their own markets. They never went to the common market to buy meat or vegetables. But the Gentiles did not have such laws. They could eat any meat, including pork, but some feared the meat coming from the temples. When the Jews or the Gentiles became saved, they still carried these fears in their minds. The decision to eat or not to eat was not based on God’s Word, but on their fears and doubts.

The only way for the weak in the faith to be free, is to teach them God’s Word. Truth sets free. Also, remember that the conscience can be trained. It gets stronger and purer by God’s Word and prayer. The truth is that you can influence your conscience, either for good or for bad. Alcohol, illegal drugs, can weaken the conscience allowing the man to make decisions that he will later regret. These drugs affect the emotions, the memory, the mind, the way reality is perceived. Alcohol, drugs, reduce the feeling of guilt produced by the conscience. The man is emboldened to continue in sin, taking God’s grace for granted. These addictions are dangerous not only on the body, but they affect the mind and the spirit. These are spiritual laws: Respect your conscience and the conscience of your neighbor. Always listen to your conscience and obey it. Never argue or disobey it!  Never force or manipulate your neighbor to act against his conscience. That is a spiritual crime. Never tell him to imitate you when you see that he still has fears and doubts. Do not argue with him. Be patient, gentle, and wise with those who are weak in the faith. Do not insist on your opinions, especially concerning these matters of indifference. 

THE SURGERY OF LOVE

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell” (Matt 5:27-30). These are the eternal words spoken by our Lord Jesus Christ. He proves that the religious Pharisees are wrong in their interpretation of God’s command: “You shall not commit adultery” (Exo 20:14). They try to obey the letter of the Law but ignore the Spirit of the Law. That attitude is always wrong. Our Lord explains the right way to obey God’s command.

These scriptures refer to the sin of adultery. But we can glean wisdom to apply in all situations because we are all born sinners. Adultery stands for fake sinful ‘love’. It is the enemy of Agape Love. The Pharisees knew the Ten Commandants. They studied God’s Laws in the Old Testament. They were religious people. They tried their best to live a good life. What was their problem? They did not know the doctrine of sin. They were ignorant of the power, and the deception of sin in their own hearts. They treated sin as being only a matter of external deeds. They did not know that sin is deeply rooted in man’s heart. A sickness may manifest in different ways, but the sickness is deeper than all the symptoms. You can give medicine to stop the symptoms, but the sickness remains, and the man is not yet cured. The saints of old used these words: ‘The sinfulness of sin’. This is to describe the depth of ugliness and danger of sin in man’s heart.

In Greek, the word sin is ‘harmatia’. It means ‘to miss the mark’, to make mistakes, to go astray. A good definition of sin is this: falling short of God’s glorious standard of holiness and being far away from His saving presence. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom 3:23). To ‘fall short’ means to come too late, to be inferior in quality, to be unapproved by God. Sin separates man from God! “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear” (Is 59:2). God hates sin and always destroys it! These are some of the attributes of sin: Sin is Powerful! Sin is Deceptive! Sin can only be defeated and eradicated thru faith in the Gospel of Christ crucified and resurrected. As a child of God, you must hate sin. “You who love the LORD, hate evil!” (Ps 97:10). If you do not understand the doctrine of sin, you will not understand the reason why Jesus came and died for sinners. Minimizing sin the way the Pharisees did, makes you an unbeliever or a traitor to Jesus. Be careful!

Jesus said that if your right eye or right hand leads you to sin, pluck it or cut it off. To protect love, Doctor Jesus recommends radical surgery. Why did He say that? It is a reminder that sin is merciless, and a deadly poison. It spreads until it kills its victim. For example, if a patient has a gangrene on his hand, the doctor may need to amputate the hand to save his life. During the time of Jesus, men thought that the right hand is more powerful than the left one. They also believed that the right eye sees better than the left eye. Now, both hands and both eyes are gifts from God. Therefore, Jesus says that if a good gift from God leads you into sin, then remove it. Anything that makes you go away from Jesus, from truth, from the way of salvation, destroy it. Your soul is more important than your body. Anything that has the power to destroy your soul or your conscience, look at it as an enemy and separate from it. That includes loving family and friends. “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers, and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. 27 And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple” (Lk 14:26, 27). God has blessed us with families. We love our families. But the Agape Love for Jesus must be greater than the love for any man. The only way to fight for agape love is to bear your cross and follow Jesus. Refusing to die to sin and self, is the reason why Jesus cannot admit you into His school of the Spirit. He cannot teach you the truth. If you chose to keep your family, you will lose the Savior. Selah!

Jesus said that adultery is more than the physical sexual act. He said that adultery is connected with covetousness. The same God who said: you shall not commit adultery, also said that you should not covet your neighbor’s house and wife (Ex 20:14,17). Covetouness is defined as a strong desire to have the things that belong to another, especially wealth and pleasure. It is related to greed, jealousy, and sexual lust. The pharisees knew about the law against covetousness but they never applied it. Jesus exposes their shallow religion. They were proud that they did not commit adultery with their bodies, but their hearts were filled with wicked ugly imaginations. Apostle Paul said that he too did not know the power of the sin of Covetousness until the Holy Spirit exposed it to him thru God’s Law (Rom 7:7-12).

Jesus said that adultery, like bitterness, dwells in the heart. It is a secret sin. “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man” (Matt 15:19, 20). Sin resident in heart defiles a man. Sin makes him unloving, wicked, polluted, ugly, and dangerous. For example: people love to read on the internet about affairs, divorce, and other sexual stories. They love to gossip about famous people who live immoral lives. Why? It is because they love these stories. They find them entertaining. People hate some sins like murder, but they love sins like fornication. All sins are terrible. They kill and destroy. God hates all sin. We must hate them too. Selah!

God is Love and God is Jealous over His Love. This is His command: “you shall not worship any other god; for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous (impassioned) God [demanding what is rightfully and uniquely His]” (Ex 34:14; AMP). God is impassionate. This word means to be filled with very strong emotions, to be excited, passionate, and fiery. These emotions manifest thru words and actions. The opposite is to be indifferent, detached, cool. Many people tried to explain that God is not emotional with His creation. That He is not jealous. But we are told that His name if El Qanna, the Jealous God. Love is patient and tolerates many things but not idolatry. If God is indifferent to our worshipping idols, it means He does not care for us, He does not love us. But we are told that God loves us! That is why God is not cool when it comes to idols! Selah!

‘The Israelites are commanded to destroy every monument of idolatry, however curious or costly; to refuse all alliance, friendship, or marriage with idolaters, and all idolatrous feasts; they were reminded not to repeat the crime of making molten images. Jealously is called the rage of a man (Pr 6:34} but in God it is holy and just displeasure. Those cannot worship God aright, who do not worship him only’ (Matthew Henry commentary).

The only way to fight and defeat the power of sin is thru the greater power of Love. And that power comes only thru the Holy Spirit. You must be born again. You must confess your sins to God. Ask for mercy and forgiveness. God hears the prayer of a truly humble man who has faith in His Son. Salvation is by Grace alone, thru faith alone, in Christ alone. After salvation, the process of sanctification starts. By the power of the Holy Spirit, thru faith in God’s Word, fasting and prayer, you daily kill every sin in your heart. “Therefore, brethren, we are debtors—not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live” (Rom 8:12,13). Flesh is where sin dwells. Do not even think about satisfying the sinful desires of the flesh. “But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts” (Rom 13:14). Do not supply the flesh with what she wants. You know your weaknesses.

For example, if you were involved in adultery, do not ‘witness’ to prostitutes. You must physically avoid some people and some places that are dangerous for your Christian life. Another example: You had a fleshly relationship with a boyfriend in the past. He has broken your heart. Since you became a Christian, you have made peace with him. He invites you to his wedding with another woman. It is better not to attend that wedding. It is hard not to remember the pain and not to judge him in your heart. God commands His children: “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” 18 “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2Cor 6:17). Love does not discriminate but love separates itself from sin.

This is an old story I read in a book. There was an African chief who was angry with one of his slaves. The slave stole some food. The chief ordered that the slave should be killed. An English missionary was told about the crisis. He ran to the chief and begged for mercy on behalf of the guilty slave. The chief refused to listen to his plea. Then the missionary offered money and gifts. The chief said that he can attack another tribe in the forest, kill the people, and take their money and gifts. He said that he wants to see ‘blood flowing’ before he can have peace. Then the chief ordered one of his guards to shoot an arrow in the slave’s heart. Suddenly, the missionary stretched his arm and covered the slave’s chest. The arrow entered his arm and blood gushed to the ground. The chief was satisfied. He then gave the slave to the missionary as a gift. The slave served his new master faithfully until he died. He became saved and went to heaven. Glory!

Do you want to go to heaven? Good! Think now like a heavenly citizen. You want to see God on His throne one day? Good! But to see God, your heart must be clean! “Blessed are the pure in heart. For they shall see God” (Matt 5:8). May we appreciate the grace of God more and more. Fight for your testimony. Be jealous over your name as a Christan, or as a pastor. Remember your soul. Do not sell your birthright for a plate of stew. Pay the price for spiritual maturity and Love. It is worth it! Worship the Lord!