Churches Of Christ/love
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Question
Hi, I've been asking about love. The Bible tells us to love God, love ourself even love our enemy. How can we love God if we don't know Him, and is love of self the same thing? Thanks
I am puzzled by your question. It is clear that you cannot love anyone unless you know them first. So you can't love God if you don't know Him. The only way to know God is through study of His Word. Jesus also said in Matthew that only the Son knows the Father and those he wills to reveal Him to as well.
Mat 11:27 All things have been delivered unto me of my Father: and no one knoweth the Son, save the Father; neither doth any know the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son willeth to reveal him.
The writer of Hebrews wrote that God will put His laws in their minds and on their hearts. Then he says that all will know Him. The only way to know God is to really study and meditate on the Bible so that it is in your mind and on your heart.
Heb.8:10-13
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel After those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, And on their heart also will I write them: And I will be to them a God, And they shall be to me a people:11 And they shall not teach every man his fellow-citizen, And every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: For all shall know me, From the least to the greatest of them.12 For I will be merciful to their iniquities, And their sins will I remember no more.13 In that he saith, A new covenant he hath made the first old. But that which is becoming old and waxeth aged is nigh unto vanishing away.
And last, I would like to state that loving yourself is not at all the same as loving God. Please know that I have done my best to answer you, but really feel the need to get more information to answer you better. I appreciate the opportunity to answer this question though and thank you for choosing me. If my answer was inadequate, please ask me again with more background to help me know what you are truly asking. God bless you.
In Christ, Joe
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Answers by Expert:
Joe Norman
Expertise
I can answer questions regarding acceptable worship, organization of the church, or any apsect of the Christian life. I am the son of a preacher and have studied the Bible from cover to cover since I was 12 years old. I am strong in my research skills and do not follow teachings of men. Many will label me as conservative and some might label me as liberal, but I just seek to be biblical. I understand proper exegesis and hermeneutics and apply them. My desire is to share my knowledge of God's Word with others. Please always keep in mind that none of us who are listed as experts here are divinely inspired and therefore it is possible to get incorrect answers from any one of us. Study the Scriptures and decide for yourself if what is taught is true.
Experience
I am the 4th generation in my family to be a faithful member of the church of Christ. I was raised by a preacher and have studied the Bible everyday since I was twelve. I am 45 yrs old now. I am not a "scholar", but I am very familiar with the scriptures.
Organizations
member of the church of Christ, served as a Deacon for a few years at LakeShore church of Christ in Waco, Tx. I currently live in the North Dallas area and am still very active within the church of Christ teaching, leading Bible Studies, and songleading as well. I am also actively involved in online ministry. I hope to open my own webpage eventually.
Education/Credentials
School of hard knocks
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