2007-04-14 15:11:48 · 18 answers · asked by MoPleasure4U 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
They can't according to God.
Matt 22:39 "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (KJV)
If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.
-- 1 John 4:20
2007-04-14 15:16:59 · answer #1 · answered by bonsai bobby 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Great question.... This has always been a difficult concept for some people. I think that until they actually believe that you, me, their neighbor or anyone else who has ever lived are literally their brother or sister and one of GOD's children, to love their neighbor is difficult. This is especially true when you may not get along with these individuals or if they have wronged you in some way. We know that to serve GOD is to serve our neighbor however, sometimes it's difficult and the other party may not be receptive. This is sometimes hard for me because there are those out there who do so much harm. People that commit horrible sins. I don't know that I feel too much love for them. I know the saying "Love the sinner, Hate the sin". Again, hard to do. However, if I think of them as my actual brother or sister I begin to feel some compassion. Justice should always be served, but I do feel for them. I love GOD. With everything I have... sometimes though... I don't love my neighbor. Ironically, in stark contrast with my screen name, I am not perfect. I continue to grow and learn. I believe I am on the right path and it does take work. You may be referring to those that are "holiday church goers" (i.e. Christmas and Easter), I'm not sure. This is the best answer I got for you without getting into major detail.
2007-04-14 22:32:26 · answer #2 · answered by Mr. Perfect 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a very reasonable question and one that is often asked. I am not sure this person really understands what loving God entails. The Bible says that people will know we are Christians by our love. Love is one of the fruits of the Spirit that should emanate from us as we live our lives daily.
To be honest, I do not think the church loves enough. We say that we love people and love God, yet we will be the first to criticize and judge someone who has fallen into sin or someone's lifestyle or beliefs that differ from ours. The Church needs to love others as Christ loved the Church. He was willing and did lay down His life for all of us.
The bottom line (because I am rambling) is that you need to pray for this person and exhibit God's love in your own life. Pray that the Holy Spirit will convict this individual. Prayer is powerful and changes lives. It can certainly change this one.
2007-04-14 22:24:55 · answer #3 · answered by gschoen302 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most people do not love their neighbors. They tolerate them. God loves your neighbors therefore you are required to love them. If that means telling them the truth even if it hurts your relationship with them then you have satisfied the requirements of love. You might dislike your neighbor but would wake him up if his house was on fire to save his life. To do anything less would be sinful.
2007-04-14 22:23:38 · answer #4 · answered by Bimpster 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scripturally, they can't. To begin with, "Love thy neighbor as thyself" is a direct commandment from Christ:
Matthew 22:37-39 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
And St. John takes it a step further:
1John 4:20 If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
John calls such a person a murderer:
1John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
So if someone claims that they love God but they hate their neighbor, then they aren't keeping Christ's commandments. That makes them a liar, and the truth is not in them.
2007-04-14 22:24:42 · answer #5 · answered by Wolfeblayde 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well if you love God..you are supposed to love thy neighbor...If they aren't loving thoughs around them..then they aren't true Christians.. If you know someone like this..just feel bad. They are lost. Not in the creepy Christian way..but in a form where they are insecure.
2007-04-14 22:16:08 · answer #6 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This person loves niether god or the neighbor. If this person can not love the neighbor, he can't love himself.
Before you can love anyone, you must first love yourself.
2007-04-14 22:19:17 · answer #7 · answered by Star 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you love God, His love is in you and through you He loves your neighbor. If you don't love your neighbor, God's love is not in you.
2007-04-14 22:17:20 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They cannot ! In John's Epistle, he wrote that if you say that you love God, yet hate your brother,(Neighbor ?), you are a liar for if you cannot love your brother,(Neighbor), who you can see, how can you love God who you cannot see.
2007-04-14 22:18:57 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You can't. They are intertwined. If you love your neighbor, you are loving God. If you love God, then you are loving your neighbor. If you fail on one of these, you fail on both.
Peace, Love and Blessings,
Greenwood
2007-04-14 22:17:24 · answer #10 · answered by Greenwood 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋