First Love

Ludlow

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Jun 7, 2014
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wherever i sit down my ars
"Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord." (Ezekiel 18:23 NIV)

"For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord." (Ezekiel 18:32 NIV)

"As surely as I live, declares the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked..."(Ezekiel 33:11 NIV)

God takes no pleasure in the death of anyone, LL. So too, His people.
how about something positive. how'd that be?
 

Motar

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Jun 18, 2013
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two things I asked my sister in her last days with the cancer. I asked, " How can you fear someone you love, and how can you love someone you fear". I understand what love is, and so did she.

In context, the words of Christ in the OP are addressed to believers whose orthodoxy has strayed from its moorings in the love of God. I do not consider this "loss of heart" to be a strictly Christian experience. Rather, I regard it as a human malady that can and does impact every person at one time or another.

The believer is admonished to return to the first love because this love precedes and predicts all other love. I find this to be true not just in an anecdotal sense but according to the testimony of myriad witnesses in Scripture and in the body of Christ today. Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength and you will be able to love your neighbor as yourself.
 
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Ludlow

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Jun 7, 2014
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wherever i sit down my ars
In context, the words of Christ in the OP are addressed to believers whose orthodoxy has strayed from its moorings in the love of God. I do not consider this "loss of heart" to be a strictly Christian experience. Rather, I regard it as a human malady that can and does impact every person at one time or another.

The believer is admonished to return to the first love because this love precedes and predicts all other love.
your first love and my first love may be two different things Motar. I am a theist, but not a Christian. But, I think it's all good. If what you believe fills your sense of purpose and you are happy where you are, Who am I to rain on your parade. Live and let live, believe and let believe. Sounds like a plan to me.
 

Motar

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Jun 18, 2013
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your first love and my first love may be two different things Motar. I am a theist, but not a Christian. But, I think it's all good. If what you believe fills your sense of purpose and you are happy where you are, Who am I to rain on your parade. Live and let live, believe and let believe. Sounds like a plan to me.

Yours is a gracious and honest theism, LL. I am grateful to be among your friends.