The Highway Forums General Discussion Theology Discussion Forum What is essential

Sorry if you are sometimes confused by my responses.

My point in referencing and including 1Jh 3:18 is because in it an inextricable part of the CONTEXT of that passage and without it, "love" can be easily and often is miscontrued to be something other than it is. In the world today and in the modern Church, love is defined as strictly an emotive experience. But in Scripture, as seen in the self-revelation of God and the teachings of Christ and the apostles, love is an action which may or may not be attached with an emotion. "[My] Little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth." Throughout the OT, this is how God is revealed, a God who moves among the inhabitants of the earth and demands righteousness, holiness and justice on penalty of death. Even God's love is holy, but it cannot be said that God's holiness is love.

Perhaps you should explain how your perception of the modern church has concluded that it lacks love? Even more helpful would be if you stated your definition of Biblical love. That would certainly go a long way to then considering your concern of the lack of love in the modern church.

Personally, what I see lacking in the modern church is 1) Truth and 2) Holiness. The modern church is fraught with all kinds of heretical teachers and doctrines. Even the Gospel itself has been radically changed so that it is now "another Gospel" (Gal 1:7,9). And secondly, the law of God has been relegated to ancient history and has no part in the church today. The first table of the law is everywhere being violated with worldliness being brought into the worship of God, idolatry is openly practiced and the 2nd Commandment rejected out of hand, God's name is blasphemed by word and deed among professing Christians and lastly, the Sabbath has not only been neglected, those who seek to keep it holy are ridiculed and labeled 'legalists'. True faith is rarely found among the members of the modern church; Assensus, Sandemanianism is what most possess along with a false sense of assurance of salvation. In short, what is sorely lacking is those who are like the man of Psalm 1:

"Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, Nor standeth in the way of sinners, Nor sitteth in the seat of scoffers:
But his delight is in the law of Jehovah; And on his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, That bringeth forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also doth not wither; And whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
The wicked are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.
Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For Jehovah knoweth the way of the righteous; But the way of the wicked shall perish." Psalms 1:1-6 (ASV)

1. Analogy of Faith = comparing all that the Bible has to say about a particular subject.

2. The topic in this thread actually concerned what "doctrines" are to be considered essential of one's profession of faith. An example I might offer you is one may say they "love Christ" but deny His deity (JW, Mormon, etc.) One may say they love the brethren which can be seen in exemplary beneficence to the church and even extending to the poor, etc., but believe that salvation is merited through grace + 'good works'. True faith always expresses itself in adhering to and loving TRUTH and in HOLINESS. One is excommunicated from the assembly of the saints, the church, for being errant in doctrine and/or life. I have never read in any literature, going back as far as the Early Church Fathers, that one must confess "love" to become a member of the Church. Nor, have I ever read that someone was cast out of the Church because they did not have enough "love". So, "I" am confused why you want to make it an "essential" requirement. I am certainly not disputing the fact that a true Christian WILL love God and his neighbor as himself. What I'm saying is that this spirit-wrought love of a true Christian will be expressed outwardly in word, deed and truth. A true love of God, for example, will be expressed in biblical worship vs. 'worship' which is man-made and man-centered.

3. 1John 3:14 does not address the matter of "faith". The intent of the Spirit, speaking through John is in regard to "assurance" of salvation which can be discerned in part from one's love of the brethren.

Looking forward to your response(s) to #3 above.