Lon
Well-known member
For me: John 4:23 The conflict, in my estimation, was over 'what is more important? love or truth?' Now certainly I'm reading a bit into it with 'love' but the Samaritan woman was asking if bad doctrine (being a 'despised' Samaritan not worshipping quite right) was a deal-breaker. For me, and I recognize the disagreement, the answer Jesus gave was "yes." However, I would also agree that pure (true) doctrine must certainly love. Another way of understanding Jesus' affirmation, would be: "Both" imho (In order to love God, knowing Him is important, thus doctrine is important and according to my understanding of Jesus' words, essential).If a tree has bad fruits, it would be better to be cut down, burnt, and destroyed. Remember what matters. Paul tells us that love and charity are the things that matter, and that these shall last far past the scope of knowledge, doctrine, and prophecy. If we want to know about the nature of God, we are told simply, "God is love" and this is said in black and white, this is something we can know for sure.
Certainly by love for one another BUT we must recognize Matthew 7:21-23 so I agree with this last line but cannot agree on the former premise. To my understanding "spirit" and "truth" amount to love-in-action and being as well as correct knowledge, thus again: "both."I believe that someone could be completely wrong in their earthly understanding of the "metaphysical" nature of God, but if they understand that God is love, and they have that working faith in Christ Jesus, they will be among the saints and the sheep in the day of judgment. I also believe that someone could have "all knowledge" but if they have not charity, if they bite and consume their neighbors, beat the servants thinking "my Lord delays his coming" than these will be the ones cast out and cut asunder, consigned to eternal fire.
How shall men know that we are his disciples?
Does love cover a multitude of sins? Yes indeed. Jesus didn't despise the Samaritans, and in fact showed them love and used them to shame Jews with the Good Samaritan, in which your point is well noted that the righteous one was the one who cared for the injured enemy. We Christians often treat our enemies contemptibly. I'd like to think we have some growing up to do but I've also seen many mature in Christ deal gently with adversity. We all need to spend a LOT more time in scripture and prayer than internet forums and entertaining ourselves. We are a distracted people...and I'm off on a bit of a tangent, but one I think worth a moment... The answer, to the best of my understanding is that 'true believers must worship the Father [both] in Spirit and in Truth. -In Him