Is loving God a work?

[Jo555]

Titus 3:
3 At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.

9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them. 11 You may be sure that such people are warped and sinful; they are self-condemned.

Romans 3:
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

 

[Jo555]

Romans 3:
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. 28 For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. 29 Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, 30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. 31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.

Had more scriptures, but it looked too much, like throwing the book of Romans at you, so i deleted some. I believe if you did a prayerful study on the book of Romans, by yourself with the Lord, from beginning to end, you will feel more secure in your salvation, especially knowing in how much control He is in. Doesn't mean we don't make choices, but He's there to ensure that apart from Him we can do nothing, not even choose well. We must remain dependent on Him and we will walk with him.

I've said enough so now I'm out and will let his Spirit work. God bless you and may He fill you with his peace.

 

[RDKirk]

The only works Paul wrote against were the works of the Law.

Where does he say that ?

Isn't 'believing' done to garner salvation ?
So too is refusing to succumb to temptations.

Will telling lies cause your being tossed into the lake of fire ?
Will refusing the temptation to tell lies be judged as a work for salvation ?
Doesn't your POV make resisting temptation anathema ?

None of this would be an issue except for Paul's exposition in Romans about "work," and Paul defined what he meant by "work."

What is the background reason for arguing that love, or faith, or belief is a work?

What point are you trying to make?

 

[soldier of light]

For we through the Spirit, by faith, are eagerly waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love.
(Galatians 5:5-6 LSB)

Is love a work?

Love a work and a feeling. In my opinion.

 

[Aaron112]

Love a work and a feeling. In my opinion.

well, it can be both of those. But more important is the love God desires: the choice made to obey Him. i.e. a choice.

 

[soldier of light]

well, it can be both of those. But more important is the love God desires: the choice made to obey Him. i.e. a choice.

Exactly. We follow God and his word and that is love

 

[BeyondET]

If you have to work to love something that isn't love.

 

[soldier of light]

If you have to work to love something that isn't love.

Have you tried loving people who did you great harm? We have decisions to make. Follow the flesh or the spirit.

 

[BeyondET]

Have you tried loving people who did you great harm? We have decisions to make. Follow the flesh or the spirit.

Yes and it should come naturally, If you are struggling to forgive them than you are struggling to love.

 

[soldier of light]

Yes and it should come naturally, If you are struggling to forgive them than you are struggling to love.

Of course love is a struggle. Did you think following Jesus is supposed to be easy? If that's the case, then why do people say that they're not perfect yet?

 

[soldier of light]

If you have to work to love something that isn't love.

Love suffers long. I Corinthians 13

 

[BeyondET]

Of course love is a struggle. Did you think following Jesus is supposed to be easy? If that's the case, then why do people say that they're not perfect yet?

His yoke is easy, do you think it isn't?

Matt 11:30
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

 

[soldier of light]

His yoke is easy, do you think it isn't?

Matt 11:30
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Yes it isn but it's still a burden. He said that his burden is light but not non existent.

 

[BeyondET]

Yes it isn but it's still a burden. He said that his burden is light but not non existent.

Yes it isn't burden proof, though having a burden shouldn't lesson the love.

 

[soldier of light]

Yes it isn't burden proof, though having a burden shouldn't lesson the love.

No it shouldn't

 

[RDKirk]

His yoke is easy, do you think it isn't?

Matt 11:30
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

During World War II, one of the toughest of the Allied generals was General George Patton. He drove his troops hard, demanded much, accepted no excuses. A newspaper reported embedded with Patton's troops noted, however, that their morale was extremely high, higher than he'd seen in any other unit in the war. Of course, they had their normal gripes--war is a hellish situation after all. But if Patton demanded five miles, they gave him ten. If Patton demanded 20 miles, they gave him 25. They griped about many things, but following Patton's orders wasn't one of them.

At one point, the reporter asked some of the men, "General Patton is the hardest general in the Army, but you guys don't seem to mind. Why is that?"

They answered: "Because our general is going to win this war."

The burden is light when you know you're winning.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Yes and it should come naturally, If you are struggling to forgive them than you are struggling to love.

Name someone who doesn't struggle with forgiving people, or struggle with loving others. Other than Jesus of course.

I'll give you a twenty dollar bill for every person you mention for whom this is actually true.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Aaron112]

At one point, the reporter asked some of the men, "General Patton is the hardest general in the Army, but you guys don't seem to mind. Why is that?"
They answered: "Because our general is going to win this war."
The burden is light when you know you're winning.

Very much like children decades ago pointed out that they knew when/because their dad spanked them they were loved - and the children acted out , felt depressed or angry, when they did not get at least occasional spankings . The life of a child was or is even today often saved by good discipline proper training , instead of (yuck) spoiled offspring being a shame to their parents.

 

[ViaCrucis]

His yoke is easy, do you think it isn't?

Matt 11:30
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”

Context is a good thing.

He also said, "Take up your cross and follow Me".

Hint: crosses aren't known for being pleasant.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Aaron112]

It's a shame that so few people ever apparently get to see often

a group of Jesus' Followers who are known for loving and forgiving their enemies.

For those seeking God's Kingdom, don't give up!