DOES GOD LOVE EVERYONE?

[TahitiRun]

And it doesn't imply love with the world of unbelievers, either.

It does though. If you think of "unbelievers" as being "your enemy", then you are to love the "unbelievers" as defined by Paul (1Co 13) and as commanded by Christ (Mat 5:43 ff).

When Christ spoke the words to "love your enemies", He was speaking to the Jewish people (Israel/Judah) at home and also abroad. The enemy of the Jews were all the non-Jewish nations and persons of the world (the "unbelievers", if you will). And, Jesus commanded the Jews to love those "unbelievers". To love their enemies.

And the Jews were to do so to be perfect like their Father (God).

 

[jeremiah1five]

It does though. If you think of "unbelievers" as being "your enemy", then you are to love the "unbelievers" as defined by Paul (1Co 13) and as commanded by Christ (Mat 5:43 ff).

When Christ spoke the words to "love your enemies", He was speaking to the Jewish people (Israel/Judah) at home and also abroad. The enemy of the Jews were all the non-Jewish nations and persons of the world (the "unbelievers", if you will). And, Jesus commanded the Jews to love those "unbelievers". To love their enemies.

The original command of God to Israel as to who they were to love is found in Leviticus 19:17-19 as follows:

17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother [member of the same tribe] in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour [member of another tribe living next to the other tribes around the Tabernacle], and not suffer sin upon him. 18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people [member of any tribe], but thou shalt love thy neighbour [member of another tribe living next to you around the Tabernacle] as thyself: I am the LORD.
Lev. 19:17–18.

And since this is part of the Law commanded to Israel you can see the objects of Covenant Israel's love is Covenant Israel themselves.
Christ didn't come to change the Law and He didn't so if a person is in Covenant with God then they are as with Israel commanded to love those in Covenant with God. Don't forget that Israel was two nations, one a northern kingdom and the other a southern kingdom and they went to war several times. There was animosity and hatred between themselves even at the time of Jesus' arrival. Matthew 5 reveals Christ/Messiah instructing these still-warring tribes to love their enemies which was a northern-southern conflict still alive in their minds. After all, their Messiah was prophesied to sit on the throne of David and that meant the southern kingdom if you look at 'area' and so maybe those southern tribes would stick it in their northern tribal faces that Messiah would rule from the southern tribal area.

And the Jews were to do so to be perfect like their Father (God).

That would be hypocritical of God to hate the world of unbelievers and to command that we do not cast our pearls to swine (unbelievers) nor to give that which is holy (God's love) to dogs (unbelievers), and then God to love the world of unbelievers Himself or be a friend of the world?

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 Jn 2:15–16.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4.

God also commands in James that His people not be a friend of the world (of unbelievers) because that would be adultery. Adultery against God and adultery against fellow believers.
But if Christ loved the Church and died for her if He were to also love the strange woman of worldly unbelievers that would make Christ an adulterer.
And unbelievers not in the book of life are a strange woman contrasted to the woman Christ died for called His Church.

 

[TahitiRun]

The soul is comprised of the mind [intellect - which is where repentance occurs], the senses, emotions, conscience, and will. Without the soul man cannot communicate naturally with man and after Adam's sin the method of communication between God and man changed.
God created man a three-fold being of body, soul, and human spirit (not Holy Spirit.)

No, it's really not. The concept/idea of "soul" (as it's translated in our English bibles) is derived from the Hebrew word "נפשׁ". That term is defined for us in Gen. 2:7. The Hebrew concept of "soul" is simply a living and breathing creature or being. It is not the same concept as it is in Greek culture and philosophy.

The word "nephesh" which in the KJV is translated as "soul" is also translated depending on the context of the Greek sentence construct as:
soul 475 times
life 117
person 29
mind 15
heart 15
creature 9
body 8
himself 8
yourselves 6
dead 5
will 4
desire 4
man 3
themselves 3
any 3
appetite 2
miscellaneous translations 47 times
[Total Count: 753 times]

What you've demonstrated is that the KJV translators were not consistent in how they translated the Hebrew term. And you've made that very clear. Thank-you for doing so.

The human spirit which allowed for communication with God died "in the day" Adam ate of the Tree. Everyone born from Adam and Eve are born dichotomy, or two-fold: body and soul. When someone becomes born again God creates a new human spirit in the person and that person is restored to the three-fold image of God - body, soul, human spirit. There are no three-fold believers in "hell."
The breath of life is God's Spirit. It belongs to God and God can take His breath from man anytime He wants.

You're kind of rambling here. The spirit of man did not die, and I demonstrated that using Gen 7:22.

I do agree that the soul died in the sense of being unable to communicate with it's spirit. The spirit was "unplugged", if you will. However, the spirit itself did not die. The soul is simply unable to communicate with the spirit until reborn from above (in this age for believers) or when reborn in the resurrection of judgment (the age to come for unbelievers).

The Greek word is "psyche" [Strong's #5590] and it is translated as:
English Words used in KJV:
soul 58
life 40
mind 3
heart 1
heartily + <G1537> 1
not tr 2
[Total Count: 105]

Strong's from <G5594> (psucho); breath, i.e. (by implication) spirit, abstract or concrete (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from <G4151> (pneuma), which is the rational and immortal soul; and on the other from <G2222> (zoe), which is mere vitality, even of plants: these terms thus exactly correspond respectively to the Hebrew <H5315> (nephesh), <H7307> (ruwach) and <H2416> (chay))

Again, you've simply pointed out the poor translation methods employed by the KJV. And I agree, they could and should have done a better job at translating.

The lexicons your using, such as Strong, Thayer, BDB, Bauer, Liddell & Scott, etc., do give the correct meaning of the Gk. term "ψυχην" ("breath"), but it's important to understand that meaning within the framework of Judaism and the Genesis account. Not within the framework of Greek culture, religion or philosophy. We're to have the mind of Christ, ie: Judah, not the mind of Plato and the Hellenists.

And, this is where Calvin, Augustine, the RCC and most Protestant denominations part-way with scripture. They interpret and understand scripture through the eye's of Greek culture rather than Judaism.

The candle is man. Christ is the light or flame.
A person that dies the soul goes upward to God if they are a believer, and the soul goes downward to the grave with the body if they are not believers. Since the passage of time is not evident when an unbeliever dies it seems to them as an instant upon death to stand before the judgment.

The soul IS mortal and ceases to exist at death. What you're doing is actually back-porting, if you will, the Greek ideas and theories of the soul into NT scripture. Although the NT was written in Greek (except perhaps for Matthew's Gospel), it needs to be understood within the framework, construct and meaning of Judaism.

The events of the soul that transpire at death (the soul's day of division) is the reverse of what transpired at life (Gen 2:7). The body returns to dust and the breath of life/spirit returns to God.

The Scripture is not Greek philosophy. The Scripture is the Word of GOD and He doesn't confuse us by giving us Greek philosophy in His Word. He may speak of it but it is God's Word that drives our belief's.

I agree that the scriptures are not of Greek philosophy, however, your understanding of the scriptures are.

 

[TahitiRun]

The original command of God to Israel as to who they were to love is found in Leviticus 19:17-19 as follows:

17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother [member of the same tribe] in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour [member of another tribe living next to the other tribes around the Tabernacle], and not suffer sin upon him. 18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people [member of any tribe], but thou shalt love thy neighbour [member of another tribe living next to you around the Tabernacle] as thyself: I am the LORD.
Lev. 19:17–18.

And since this is part of the Law commanded to Israel you can see the objects of Covenant Israel's love is Covenant Israel themselves.
Christ didn't come to change the Law and He didn't so if a person is in Covenant with God then they are as with Israel commanded to love those in Covenant with God. Don't forget that Israel was two nations, one a northern kingdom and the other a southern kingdom and they went to war several times. There was animosity and hatred between themselves even at the time of Jesus' arrival. Matthew 5 reveals Christ/Messiah instructing these still-warring tribes to love their enemies which was a northern-southern conflict still alive in their minds. After all, their Messiah was prophesied to sit on the throne of David and that meant the southern kingdom if you look at 'area' and so maybe those southern tribes would stick it in their northern tribal faces that Messiah would rule from the southern tribal area.

Yes, you've stated this twice now. I've read it and responded to it. I'm not going to do it again.

That would be hypocritical of God to hate the world of unbelievers and to command that we do not cast our pearls to swine (unbelievers) nor to give that which is holy (God's love) to dogs (unbelievers), and then God to love the world of unbelievers Himself or be a friend of the world?

God does not actually "hate" the world like your suggesting or that Calvinist's relish in. That is why Jesus said to "love your enemies". Just like God, your Father loves His enemies. How you're to love your enemies is defined for us in 1Co 13:1-13.

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 Jn 2:15–16.

4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. James 4:4.

God also commands in James that His people not be a friend of the world (of unbelievers) because that would be adultery. Adultery against God and adultery against fellow believers.
But if Christ loved the Church and died for her if He were to also love the strange woman of worldly unbelievers that would make Christ an adulterer.
And unbelievers not in the book of life are a strange woman contrasted to the woman Christ died for called His Church.

The texts you've cited do not contradict Jesus' command to "love your enemies". And I explained why that is.
You can love your enemies without loving the world, being friends of the world or participating in the works of the world. Do you really not understand this?

Cain was called the brother of Abel seven times, even after slaying Abel (Gen 4:9). Those who do not love their brothers as well as their enemies do not love God or Christ (1Jo 4:20-21). I'm surprised you would argue otherwise.

 

[jeremiah1five]

Yes, you've stated this twice now. I've read it and responded to it. I'm not going to do it again.

Ah, but that doesn't mean you understand and accept the command of God to His Covenant people.

God does not actually "hate" the world like your suggesting or that Calvinist's relish in. That is why Jesus said to "love your enemies". Just like God, your Father loves His enemies. How you're to love your enemies is defined for us in 1Co 13:1-13.

God is Immutable. What God hates He hates. What God loves He loves and He doesn't alternate between them both.
If God loves 'you' God will save 'you.' If God doesn't love 'you' God will not save 'you.'
Knowing this is immutable about God and that God loves His people the Church and died for her, we can only come to the conclusion that those God does not love God will not save nor will Christ die for them.
So, what's left? There are only and ever have been two groups of people on the planet, those of the seed of the serpent and those of the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15) and those of the seed of the woman bearing the seed of God in them.

God's command to love their enemies does not include those outside the Covenant of God. It doesn't mean the Romans, or the Assyrians, or the Babylonians, or anyone in today's world that are enemies with today's Israel. God does not change, nor does His Word.
The command to God's Covenant people is for them to love their Covenant brethren and neighbor as the original command describes.

God the Father does not love His enemies. God does not love the non-elect world of unbelievers.

15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 Jn 2:15.

So, if ANY Christian in Covenant with God in this Times of the Gentiles loves ANY unsaved, unbeliever of the world then God's love is NOT in that Christian. And this happens to go directly to the sin of adultery. The command is clear. If ANY Christian love any unsaved person at all then they are in disobedience to God and the love of the Father is NOT in them. Pure and simple.

The texts you've cited do not contradict Jesus' command to "love your enemies". And I explained why that is.
You can love your enemies without loving the world, being friends of the world or participating in the works of the world. Do you really not understand this?

We Christians are in the world but not of the world.
The command to Israel to love ONLY their Covenant brethren and neighbor (a member of another tribe) is a command of God to His people the Church.
What Christ was referring to when He said "love your enemies" to Israel meant to love their tribal brethren and tribal neighbor, and since Christ was dealing with an animosity between the tribes of the northern and southern kingdoms then Christ is upholding the Law to Israel in the command to Israel in Leviticus 19:17-19.

Cain was called the brother of Abel seven times, even after slaying Abel (Gen 4:9). Those who do not love their brothers as well as their enemies do not love God or Christ (1Jo 4:20-21). I'm surprised you would argue otherwise.

Christians have enemies within the Church. Just as Christians under the Law (Israel) had enemies among themselves. God is keeping it in context that whether Israel in Covenant with God or Christians in Covenant with God we are commanded to love our Israeli and Christian brethren and neighbor. NOT unbelievers. It's that simple.

 

[TahitiRun]

Ah, but that doesn't mean you understand and accept the command of God to His Covenant people.

Actually, I fully understand it, just from a different perspective, perhaps.

You and I are both "sheep" and "goat". We are both "Jacob" and "Esau", we are both "loved" and "hated", we are both "flesh" (carnal/earthly) and "spirit" (spiritual/heavenly).

Within us are the two son's of Abraham (Ishmael and Isaac). We are both of the bondwoman (Hagar of Mt. Sinai), and of the free-woman (Sarah of Jerusalem above), we participate in both covenants (law and promise), etc.

These type allegories are represented throughout scripture that tell us who and what we are. This is why I keep referencing Gen 2:7. We are both carnal (of the earth) and spiritual (the breath of life, image of God).

God is Immutable. What God hates He hates. What God loves He loves and He doesn't alternate between them both.
If God loves 'you' God will save 'you.' If God doesn't love 'you' God will not save 'you.'

Yes, God hates the flesh, and loves the spirit. You and I are both: flesh and spirit. This is the reason all perish according to the flesh and all are saved according to the spirit (1Co 5:5). Believers in this age and unbelievers through death and judgment.

Knowing this is immutable about God and that God loves His people the Church and died for her, we can only come to the conclusion that those God does not love God will not save nor will Christ die for them.

Agreed, Jesus did not die for the flesh. The flesh was created in vanity. It was never meant to be saved or reconciled to God. The flesh/natural/carnal man (the goat, if you will) was crucified with Christ. And, the spirit (the breath of life) that was lost to the soul was saved in Christ.

So, what's left? There are only and ever have been two groups of people on the planet, those of the seed of the serpent and those of the seed of the woman (Genesis 3:15) and those of the seed of the woman bearing the seed of God in them.

The seed of the serpent is the "flesh" and that of the woman is "spirit".

Without trying to sound condescending: You're simply seeing/understanding scripture at the surface level. You're kind of where I was 40 years ago, lost in the wilderness. Feel free to disagree, however.

Anyway, it was an interesting discussion.

 

[jeremiah1five]

Actually, I fully understand it, just from a different perspective, perhaps.
You and I are both "sheep" and "goat". We are both "Jacob" and "Esau", we are both "loved" and "hated", we are both "flesh" (carnal/earthly) and "spirit" (spiritual/heavenly).

Disagree.
I was always a sheep in the Mind of God for that's the way He contemplated me. And I also accept that in this contemplation of me as sheep is where His foreknowledge of me began. When God created heaven, earth, and man and blew into Adam's nostrils the breath of life this is where I became "lost" for I was no longer in the Mind of God but eventually would have a body and a life outside of God in TIME.
I was always loved never hated. And when born into this world I became body and soul - no human spirit. But I am material in this material world and except for the soul which isn't material but immaterial in this I can say I am spiritual and two-thirds saved.

Within us are the two son's of Abraham (Ishmael and Isaac). We are both of the bondwoman (Hagar of Mt. Sinai), and of the free-woman (Sarah of Jerusalem above), we participate in both covenants (law and promise), etc.

These type allegories are represented throughout scripture that tell us who and what we are. This is why I keep referencing Gen 2:7. We are both carnal (of the earth) and spiritual (the breath of life, image of God).

The breath of life doesn't belong to us. That breath only animated man and we before becoming born again never had the Holy Spirit. Neither did Adam. But he was created a trichotomy of body, soul, and human spirit. Adam cannot transfer or pass on a human spirit to his children. Nor could they to theirs. We are all born body and soul and when one becomes born again God creates a new human spirit in that person. A third eye, a sixth sense. In this we as believers can now process spiritual phenomenon and communicate with God who is Spirit.

Yes, God hates the flesh, and loves the spirit. You and I are both: flesh and spirit. This is the reason all perish according to the flesh and all are saved according to the spirit (1Co 5:5). Believers in this age and unbelievers through death and judgment.

I am flesh and possess a human spirit. I am also possessed of the Holy Spirit and God never hated me or any other saved individual. Christ was flesh. Did God hate the flesh He possessed?
And we are being conformed into the image of Christ, not Adam.

Agreed, Jesus did not die for the flesh. The flesh was created in vanity. It was never meant to be saved or reconciled to God. The flesh/natural/carnal man (the goat, if you will) was crucified with Christ. And, the spirit (the breath of life) that was lost to the soul was saved in Christ.

Sounds mystical to me.
Jesus died for my totality of both body and soul. He suffered bodily and soulfully.

The seed of the serpent is the "flesh" and that of the woman is "spirit".

The seed of the serpent are all those who are never to be saved.

Without trying to sound condescending: You're simply seeing/understanding scripture at the surface level. You're kind of where I was 40 years ago, lost in the wilderness. Feel free to disagree, however.
Anyway, it was an interesting discussion.

I take Scripture literally. Unless the context requires a spiritualization. And since we're dealing with language there are literary devices that come into play like tenses, senses, noun, verb, adjective, figurative, metaphor, similes, hyperbole, etc.

 

[TahitiRun]

Disagree.
I was always a sheep in the Mind of God for that's the way He contemplated me. And I also accept that in this contemplation of me as sheep is where His foreknowledge of me began. When God created heaven, earth, and man and blew into Adam's nostrils the breath of life this is where I became "lost" for I was no longer in the Mind of God but eventually would have a body and a life outside of God in TIME.
I was always loved never hated. And when born into this world I became body and soul - no human spirit. But I am material in this material world and except for the soul which isn't material but immaterial in this I can say I am spiritual and two-thirds saved.

This is fantastic, I'm all ears on this. Would you mind exploring your ideas with me in more detail? Do you have some scriptures to work with on this? I have my own but would prefer to hear yours.

We can get to some of the other stuff in your post later.

 

[TahitiRun]

Christians have enemies within the Church. Just as Christians under the Law (Israel) had enemies among themselves. God is keeping it in context that whether Israel in Covenant with God or Christians in Covenant with God we are commanded to love our Israeli and Christian brethren and neighbor. NOT unbelievers. It's that simple.

Alright. Let's go with this one. I'm really trying to understand your doctrine.

Let's start with your premise (the simple one) that we are not to love "unbelievers".

Your neighbor, who curses God during the day, smokes crack in the afternoon and yells objectionable things about Jesus at your kids while you sit on your front porch. He also fornicates at night with women from the local bar that he frequents. Let's assume he is an "unbeliever". Maybe he is, and maybe he is not. But let's assume.

While you're sitting on your front porch, he's house catches fire with him inside and you see him trying to get out. The fire department is an hour away, and no help (other than yourself) is available to rescue him. Church service starts in 15 minutes and you don't have time to do both. It's one or the other. Church service or the unbeliever.

Are you going to help save/rescue him? Will your doctrine allow you to act?

 

[jeremiah1five]

Alright. Let's go with this one. I'm really trying to understand your doctrine.

Let's start with your premise (the simple one) that we are not to love "unbelievers".

Your neighbor, who curses God during the day, smokes crack in the afternoon and yells objectionable things about Jesus at your kids while you sit on your front porch. He also fornicates at night with women from the local bar that he frequents. Let's assume he is an "unbeliever". Maybe he is, and maybe he is not. But let's assume.

While you're sitting on your front porch, he's house catches fire with him inside and you see him trying to get out. The fire department is an hour away, and no help (other than yourself) is available to rescue him. Church service starts in 15 minutes and you don't have time to do both. It's one or the other. Church service or the unbeliever.

Are you going to help save/rescue him? Will your doctrine allow you to act?

Although God commanded His Covenant people to love their Covenant brethren and Covenant neighbor there is also another aspect to how we are to treat unbelievers: respect.
The English word "respect" is compound word of "re" which means "again" and "spect" derived from seeing as in spectator or spectacles. In other words, "look again."

God has always spoken to His people in the First Person and says "Behold!" Meaning take notice outright.

With your scenario above I couldn't say what I'd do.
I'd hope to be guided by the Holy Spirit and who knows if this person's sin has found him out and God has judged him, or how big is the fire, or whether he's attempting to commit suicide, or a jealous lover set the fire, or I can't find my cane, or my wheelchair don't go that fast, or I have no arms because I lost them in the war of 1812. I can't say what I'd do.

 

[TahitiRun]

Although God commanded His Covenant people to love their Covenant brethren and Covenant neighbor there is also another aspect to how we are to treat unbelievers: respect.
The English word "respect" is compound word of "re" which means "again" and "spect" derived from seeing as in spectator or spectacles. In other words, "look again."

God has always spoken to His people in the First Person and says "Behold!" Meaning take notice outright.

With your scenario above I couldn't say what I'd do.
I'd hope to be guided by the Holy Spirit and who knows if this person's sin has found him out and God has judged him, or how big is the fire, or whether he's attempting to commit suicide, or a jealous lover set the fire, or I can't find my cane, or my wheelchair don't go that fast, or I have no arms because I lost them in the war of 1812. I can't say what I'd do.

I think we're getting closer to your doctrine.

Let's say you "look again", inside your heart. He's a Psa 5:5 worker of iniquity. In your mind and heart he is a reprobate. You alone are able, ready and have the means to save. Your neighbor is injured and will not make it out of the burning house alive, without your assistance.

Will your doctrine allow you to love him and do so?

BTW, you can ask me anything. Feel free to do so.

 

[jeremiah1five]

I think we're getting closer to your doctrine.

Let's say you "look again", inside your heart. He's a Psa 5:5 worker of iniquity. In your mind and heart he is a reprobate. You alone are able, ready and have the means to save. Your neighbor is injured and will not make it out of the burning house alive, without your assistance.

Will your doctrine allow you to love him and do so?

BTW, you can ask me anything. Feel free to do so.

I can never know whose name is written in the book of life of the lamb slain but I can know afterwards when one professes Christ as Lord and Savior whether they are of God and whether it is true.
The "worker of iniquity" is never a person destined to salvation. This passage teaches that God hates the sin AND the sinner. same with Psalms 11:5.
I can't answer your scenario. I don't know what the Lord will have me do.
I can be a friend to a believer and give my life for him or her, but I don't have to die to do it.
And doing so I would have to first make sure we have the same Father.
And that's a given.
But for an unbeliever who is not saved I can't tell you what I'd do unless the Lord leads me to do something, anything at all, first.

 

[TahitiRun]

I can never know whose name is written in the book of life of the lamb slain but I can know afterwards when one professes Christ as Lord and Savior whether they are of God and whether it is true.
The "worker of iniquity" is never a person destined to salvation. This passage teaches that God hates the sin AND the sinner. same with Psalms 11:5.
I can't answer your scenario. I don't know what the Lord will have me do.
I can be a friend to a believer and give my life for him or her, but I don't have to die to do it.
And doing so I would have to first make sure we have the same Father.
And that's a given.
But for an unbeliever who is not saved I can't tell you what I'd do unless the Lord leads me to do something, anything at all, first.

I appreciate your frankness and honesty. Has Jesus told you not to love someone? Not in principle, per se, but rather by direct revelation, that would cause you not to act?

 

[jeremiah1five]

I appreciate your frankness and honesty. Has Jesus told you not to love someone? Not in principle, per se, but rather by direct revelation, that would cause you not to act?

I understand "love" (agape) as described in Scripture.
In John 3:16 it says, "God so loved...that He gave."
The word "love" is a verb a word that describes 'action.'
Only born-again believers have godly love. Unbelievers have emotional love which is not love at all because they do not have God.
Everything God gives to a born-again believer He gives them when they are born-again.
Now they have to grow in knowledge and testing/experience in how to mature in those gifts TO THE BENEFIT of other born-again Covenant believers.

15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house (of God.) Mt 5:15.

To give that which is holy such as God's love and the gifts of the Spirit to unbelievers is to commit adultery against God and fellow Christian believers. We are also commanded to not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. We are commanded to be very careful with our oaths and promises and not lie.

What Jesus did was command His people Israel WHO to love and this command is found in Leviticus 19:17-19. Jesus in Matthew 5 upholds this command to Israel who are the original Church and Bride of Christ (Gentile believers are grafted in). Thus, nothing is changed. Covenant believers are commanded to love Covenant believers. This mean love Christ in them. And Christ promised to never leave nor forsake His Covenant people and that means that although we deal with Christians that are of the world, the flesh, and lie we are to love them as well and allow our gifts to help them grow to maturity.
God ordained that His love comes with profit. And when exercised in accordance with God's commands the giver profits as much, if not more, than the receiver.
I don't love or make friends with the world. It was the world that Christ called me out of. I don't want to go back and in my walk with Christ I, and every other believer, are commanded and instructed in learning a new life, one that comes with Biblical instruction. Everything about us becomes new and everything about us must change. And those who allow the Spirit to grow them will grow and become disciplined. Hence, the word 'disciple.' But it takes time and trial and error.
So, when a Christian gives their pearls to swine (unbelievers) and give that which is holy to dogs (non-covenant people) they are in disobedience to God and commit adultery against God and brethren.

 

[TahitiRun]

I understand "love" (agape) as described in Scripture.
In John 3:16 it says, "God so loved...that He gave."
The word "love" is a verb a word that describes 'action.'

It is a verb when used as action, as well as a noun describing one's characteristic or which one possess.

For example: "love" is shown both as a verb and noun, respectively, here:

Θεὸν οὐδεὶς πώποτε τεθέαται· ἐὰν ἀγαπῶμεν ἀλλήλους, ὁ Θεὸς ἐν ἡμῖν μένει καὶ ἡ ἀγάπη αὐτοῦ τετελειωμένη ἐστιν ἐν ἡμῖν.

as well as here, respectively:

᾿Αγαπητοί, ἀγαπῶμεν ἀλλήλους, ὅτι ἡ ἀγάπη ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστι, καὶ πᾶς ὁ ἀγαπῶν ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ γεγέννηται καὶ γινώσκει τὸν Θεόν

Also, God is defined as being love, a noun defining God's character/nature:

ὁ μὴ ἀγαπῶν οὐκ ἔγνω τὸν Θεόν, ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν

ἐστίν being used in the present/indicative. It's what God IS, in the present tense and active verb.

To repeat my eariler question: Has Jesus (God) told you by revelation, not to love a person?

 

[jeremiah1five]

It is a verb when used as action, as well as a noun describing a characteristic or which one possess.

For example: "love" is shown both as a verb and noun, respectively, here:

Θεὸν οὐδεὶς πώποτε τεθέαται· ἐὰν ἀγαπῶμεν ἀλλήλους, ὁ Θεὸς ἐν ἡμῖν μένει καὶ ἡ ἀγάπη αὐτοῦ τετελειωμένη ἐστιν ἐν ἡμῖν.

as well as here, respectively:

᾿Αγαπητοί, ἀγαπῶμεν ἀλλήλους, ὅτι ἡ ἀγάπη ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐστι, καὶ πᾶς ὁ ἀγαπῶν ἐκ τοῦ Θεοῦ γεγέννηται καὶ γινώσκει τὸν Θεόν

Also, God is defined as being love, a noun defining God's character/nature:

ὁ μὴ ἀγαπῶν οὐκ ἔγνω τὸν Θεόν, ὅτι ὁ Θεὸς ἀγάπη ἐστίν

ἐστίν being used in the present/indicative. It's what God IS, in the present and active.

To repeat my eariler question: Has Jesus (God) told you by revelation, not to love?

The revelation is the Scripture and yes, He has told me through Scripture who and what NOT to love:

15 Love not the world (unsaved inhabitants), neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 Jn 2:15.

This also is straightforward.

Now, let me ask you something...

Scripture says "God is love," right?

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 1 Cor. 13:4–7.

Now let's substitute the word "charity" for "God."

God suffers long.
God is kind.
God envies.
God vaunteth/boasts/brags.
God is puffed up.
God doesn't behave unseemly.
God seeks His own.
God is not easily provoked.
God doesn't think evil.
God doesn't rejoice in iniquity.
God rejoices in truth.
God bears all things.
God believes all things.
God hopes in all things.
God endures all things.

Do you 'get it?'

 

[TahitiRun]

The revelation is the Scripture and yes, He has told me through Scripture who and what NOT to love:

Revelation doesn't necessarily come only through scripture. Here is an example of one which Paul had:
2Co 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

Did Jesus give you a revelation not to love another human being using the characteristics that describe love?

15 Love not the world (unsaved inhabitants), neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 Jn 2:15.

This also is straightforward.

Now, let me ask you something...

OK. I like it...

Scripture says "God is love," right?

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 1 Cor. 13:4–7.

Now let's substitute the word "charity" for "God."

God suffers long.
God is kind.
God envies.
God vaunteth/boasts/brags.
God is puffed up.
God doesn't behave unseemly.
God seeks His own.
God is not easily provoked.
God doesn't think evil.
God doesn't rejoice in iniquity.
God rejoices in truth.
God bears all things.
God believes all things.
God hopes in all things.
God endures all things.

Do you 'get it?'

Yes, I believe I do. You forgot the word "not", however, wherein the characteristics opposite of love are being used to describe what God is NOT.

The attributes of God that define His love, include His judgments, threats and dealings with humanity which are borne out of His love, not hate that arises out of malice. God does "hate" the flesh, and he purges us from it in this age, or the age to come through death and judgment. However, it is done out of "love".

When I use the term "flesh", I'm not speaking of the body, per se, but rather it's carnal nature, death due to sin.

 

[TahitiRun]

Follow-up to the previous post:

Revelation doesn't necessarily come only through scripture. Here is an example of one which Paul had:

2Co 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

I believe Paul received the revelation of universalism. However, it was not given to Paul to teach openly using plain speech. And because it was not lawful for Paul or other's to speak openly concerning it, God hid it from the world for His own glory (Pro 25:2). But it will be manifested, in God's appointed times (plural) 1Ti 2:6. It's what is also known as:

ὅπως ἂν ἔλθωσι καιροὶ ἀναψύξεως ἀπὸ προσώπου τοῦ Κυρίου καὶ ἀποστείλῃ τὸν προκεχειρισμένον ὑμῖν Χριστόν ᾿Ιησοῦν,
ὃν δεῖ οὐρανόν μεν δέξασθαι ἄχρι χρόνων ἀποκαταστάσεως πάντων ὧν ἐλάλησεν ὁ Θεὸς διὰ στόματος πάντων ἁγίων αὐτοῦ προφητῶν ἀπ᾿ αἰῶνος.

The restitution and reconciliation of all things back to Christ, further hinted at by Paul, here:

Col 1:16 because in him were the all things created, those in the heavens, and those upon the earth, those visible, and those invisible, whether thrones, whether lordships, whether principalities, whether authorities; all things through him, and for him, have been created,
Col 1:17 and himself is before all, and the all things in him have consisted.
Col 1:18 And himself is the head of the body—the assembly—who is a beginning, a first-born out of the dead, that he might become in all things —himself—first,
Col 1:19 because in him it did please all the fulness to tabernacle,
Col 1:20 and through him to reconcile the all things to himself—having made peace through the blood of his cross—through him, whether the things upon the earth, whether the things in the heavens.

Beautiful words.

 

[jeremiah1five]

Revelation doesn't necessarily come only through scripture. Here is an example of one which Paul had:
2Co 12:4 How that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter.

The Bible is the Book of the Covenant. Its origin is eternal, its inspiration infallible, its preservation providential and sure. In it God reveals Himself as the almighty Creator God, the faithful Covenant God, and the triune Savior God. In it Christ reveals Himself to sinners as Prophet, Priest, and King. Hence, the Bible is unique. Divine. No other book is like the Bible.
It is the revelation of God to man:

29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. Dt 29:29.

And the Scripture of God is revealed.

I've had dreams and visions of future events and situations, but they are not for the Church. I also heard unspeakable words which were not lawful to utter to others and I haven't.

Did Jesus give you a revelation not to love another human being using the characteristics that describe love?
OK. I like it...
Yes, I believe I do. You forgot the word "not", however, wherein the characteristics opposite of love are being used to describe what God is NOT.

No, I didn't forget the word not because in those places I omitted it God IS.

The attributes of God that define His love, include His judgments, threats and dealings with humanity which are borne out of His love, not hate that arises out of malice. God does "hate" the flesh, and he purges us from it in this age, or the age to come through death and judgment. However, it is done out of "love".

I never said "malice."
God is contrary to the flesh.
And the flesh God is contrary to remains with us through our lives.
But one day our bodies will be changed in the twinkle-twinkle of His eye. But not yet. We are still in this body of this death.

When I use the term "flesh", I'm not speaking of the body, per se, but rather it's carnal nature, death due to sin.

It's the same thing.

 

[TahitiRun]

It's the same thing.

No, it's really not. Body and flesh are different. For example:

1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Rom 7:18 For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it.

Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

Rom 8:9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Rom 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Rom 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Rom 8:8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

Regarding the body changing: I agree with you. The body is sown in corruption (with it's fleshly/natural/carnal nature), however it is raised (without it's fleshly/carnal nature) as a spiritual body:

1Co 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption:
1Co 15:43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
1Co 15:44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

Jesus did not die to atone, redeem or reconcile the "flesh" to God. The flesh is still at enmity to God (Rom 8:7), after the death of Christ. "Flesh" is that death in the body that Paul desired to be once and for all rid of (Rom 7:24).

The "flesh" is like cancer in the body. It's death. It's the death to be done away with that God may be the all in all:

1Co 15:26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
1Co 15:27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
1Co 15:28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all.