The new commandment of Christ

[Isatis]

Matthew 5:44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

ok, now tell me please how this relates to my question
This discussion has to do with the difference between the Second Great Commandment and the New Commandment, not how we are to treat unbelivers or enemies, etc.

 

[JohnRabbit]

In truth, we can never truly know who is saved and who is not. Of course, there are some obvious signs, but the fact is, on meeting a person, unless the first thing you say to them is "Are you saved?" You kind of have to remind yourself to love them either way. Wouldn't it be nice if the love you show them helps them to come to Christ? If you could be the first Christian in their lives who treats them like they are on the same level as you, and that helps them to understand how Christ loved us, and how He died for us "while we were yet sinners"?

you're right, it's the same love.

 

[Isatis]

Did Jesus love His followers the same way He loved those who rejected Him?

 

[JohnRabbit]

ok, now tell me please how this relates to my question
This discussion has to do with the difference between the Second Great Commandment and the New Commandment, not how we are to treat unbelivers or enemies, etc.

read post #22.

you seem to be advocating "different" love and that's not what God showed us - jn 3:16!

His "sacrificial" love was for all!

 

[motherprayer]

You mean sacrificial love for christians and non-christians alike?

Yes, sacrificial love for Christians and non-Christians alike. We have no right to judge someone who does not know Christ, and we certainly don't have a high enough understanding of why they don't to judge either. We should treat non-Christians no different from Christians. Remember, Christ died for us while we were still sinners, He died for us in spite of our sin. He died to show God's love to the unbeliever, and to show the high priests how in their judgmentalism they were actually hurting the cause for God instead of helping it by "keeping the publicans and sinners out."

 

[JohnRabbit]

Did Jesus love His followers the same way He loved those who rejected Him?

yes, per jn 3:16!

 

[motherprayer]

Did Jesus love His followers the same way He loved those who rejected Him?

Jesus came into the world as a result of those who rejected Him. He loved them just by the act of coming to show God's love to them.

 

[JohnRabbit]

we're beating a dead horse here!

 

[Isatis]

yes, per jn 3:16!

Ok, go ahead, post that scripture so we read it through and see if those who rejected Him got eternal life.

 

[motherprayer]

we're beating a dead horse here!

Don't say that.

 

[motherprayer]

Ok, go ahead, post that scripture so we read it through and see if those who rejected Him got eternal life.

Can you clarify where you are going with this?

 

[Isatis]

They are the same in respect as to how we should treat them; they are different in respect as to what we share with them.

Agreed.

 

[JohnRabbit]

Ok, go ahead, post that scripture so we read it through and see if those who rejected Him got eternal life.

even if they reject(ed) Him, He still showed the same love to all!

 

[motherprayer]

They are the same in respect as to how we should treat them; they are different in respect as to what we share with them. Truly, the parable of the good Samaritan shows us that all are our neighbors, deserving of our charity and compassion. Just as truly, Jesus told them that followed him not to give that which is holy unto dogs, neither cast their pearls before swine.

What should we share with Christians but not with non-Christians? Aside from their sin, lol obviously there's that.

 

[brhal]

Not different love, but delivered in a different way. An non-believer may be your neighbor but you wouldn't discuss the deeper things of Christ with them. Study to show yourself approved of God. Strong meat is for them who by use have sharpened their senses to discern between good and evil.

 

[motherprayer]

Not different love, but delivered in a different way. An non-believer may be your neighbor but you wouldn't discuss the deeper things of Christ with them. Study to show yourself approved of God. Strong meat is for them who by use have sharpened their senses to discern between good and evil.

Why not? Sharing Christ with them would be a good way to bring them to Christ, wouldn't it?

 

[Isatis]

What should we share with Christians but not with non-Christians? Aside from their sin, lol obviously there's that.

2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

Why do you think Paul said that?

 

[motherprayer]

2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

Why do you think Paul said that?

Christ said if a wife has an unbelieving husband and he doesn't desire to go, that she should stay with him.

 

[Isatis]

Christ said if a wife has an unbelieving husband and he doesn't desire to go, that she should stay with him.

are you talking about 1 Corinthians 7:12–14 ?

12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. iOtherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

 

[JohnRabbit]

2 Corinthians 6:14
Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

Why do you think Paul said that?

are you talking about 1 Corinthians 7:12–14 ?

12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her. 13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is made holy because of his wife, and the unbelieving wife is made holy because of her husband. iOtherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

this has to do with our associations while we live on this earth.

it, however, nowhere says to love less!