** "(Agape) love - seeks the opportunity to do good to everyone. . ." **

Date:   7/15/2017 7:32:23 AM ( 7 y ago)

Let God's love flow through you today.



Luke 12:1 "In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trod one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples, first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy."


Christ Warns About Hypocrisy


Matt. 10:26–33


In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples, first of all,

1 “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.


2 For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.


3 Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.



LUKE 12:1-3


This is the biblical definition of a hypocrite, "someone whose words and
heart (actions) don't agree."

A hypocrite may act the part of a Christian or talk like Christ, but he or she won't do both. Hypocrisy is defined by the dictionary as, "The feigning of beliefs, feelings, or virtues that one does not hold or possess; insincerity" (American Heritage Dictionary).



In the Greek, the word is "hupokrisis" and means "the playing of a part on the stage."


Hypocrisy is often said to be doing something even though you don't want to or feel like doing it. It is true that God demands that our motive and reason for doing things be right, but this does not mean that we always want to, or delight in, doing something.



To do what God wants you to do, or to do unto others what you would want them to do unto you, is not hypocrisy (Mt. 7:12)


Ask, Seek, Knock


…11 So if you who are evil know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!


12 In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the prophets.


13 Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.…


- even if you don't feel like doing it. It is hypocrisy only when your motive for doing it is wrong and you're not genuinely seeking the welfare and benefit of others.


Remember, Jesus didn't feel like going to the cross, but He went anyway to seek the welfare and benefit of the world.



Agape love is described as the "love (that) can be known only from the actions it prompts." This is not the love of complacency or affection, that is, it was not drawn out by any excellency in its objects (Rom. 5:8).



Christian love (agape), whether exercised toward the brethren, or toward others generally, is not an impulse from the feelings. It does not always run with the natural inclinations.


It (Agape) seeks the welfare of all (Rom. 15:2)


Accept One Another


1 We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves.


2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good,
to build him up.


3 For even Christ did not please Himself, but as it is written: “The insults of those who insult You have fallen on Me.”…



and works no ill to any (Rom. 13:8-10).

Love Fulfills the Law


8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.


9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other commands there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”


10 Love does no harm to a neighbor.

Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.


"(Agape) love -
seeks the opportunity to do good to all men. . ."


Let God's love flow through you today.








 

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