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Ping.
Sigh. Same old crap.
How exactly are we to “Love God, Love Your Neighbor” if we possess no love in the first place? If we ARE sinners at heart? From what part of that essential, existential sin can the love come from, in order to be able to love anyone else, even God?
The answer, of course, is that IF that were true, loving would be impossible. But it's not true. We are literally MADE IN THE IMAGE OF GOD. And what is God? Love.
We are fallen, yes. We need God's help and mercy and guidance and love, yes. We can't do it on our own, yes. But that's the extent of our sin. And that's why damnation after damnation after threat after threat has only driven people AWAY from God, by turning them AWAY from the love God created IN their hearts and souls as their very essence. They don't need YOU to tell them how weak they are. THEY KNOW. They need to be taught that they're loved ANYWAY, in their SOULS.
THAT is what Jesus taught. That's what YOU KNOW, and what YOU NEED. So why is it so hard to understand everyone needs the same thing? Why put the cart before the horse? Why stick the love Jesus EMPHASIZED as first place, into second place, by pounding on fear? Especially when it drives people AWAY from God? Jesus didn't just show WHAT to teach, He also showed HOW to teach: LOVE FIRST.
Because all these threats WORK. They make people fear God and loathe themselves. They turn people into communists and liberals who hate God, because they've been taught that God hates them. They find it impossible to turn to a God who threatens them constantly with eternal hell, or join Christians who damn their very souls.
Ask liberals, ask women who have had abortions, ask gays, ask young Western people turning to murderous Islam, ask politically correct college organizers, ASK THEM who they hate and fear - and they'll tell you, if you dare listen: they hate and fear God. Not the real God, the God of love. But the God they've been taught, the God of eternal damnation.
Look around at our godless world, and then look at all the "Christians" who believe people need to be taught to fear God.
THEN CONNECT THE DOTS.
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Man, I could write a book here, sore subject with me. Love them yes, approve of them NO! Like them? Not necessary. Feed the hungry clothe the poor and do not forget the greatest commandment. ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.’
Jesus was not “nice” to everyone,so love them enough not to let them keep playing in middle of the road. That’s a good start.
It was originally 15 Commandments until Mel Brooks accidentally dropped and broke 5 of them.