Robert McLaughlin Bible Ministries
The secret of the mystery. Part 215. The mystery behind Christian marriage. Part 8.
Sunday, April 22, 2007
It is not just the superiority of weaponry by which wars are won, but it is also through information and intelligence.
The spiritual intelligence which was once classified information, concealed and restricted from both angels and mankind, is what the Bible calls a mystery.
1CO 4:1 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
1TI 3:8 Deacons likewise {must be} men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, holding on to mystery doctrine with a clear conscience.
We have seen the connection between the maximum glorification of God for which believers are created, the resolution of a prehistoric angelic conflict, and then the receiving on the part of born again believers, the highest and best from God.
EPH 1:14 - the hidden assets, or the release of the assets.
In that same place He is guarding for us something on deposit in EPH 1:3, 1PE 1:4.
That deposit is great and phenomenal wealth for the soul and for the believer throughout time, and the eternal state.
This true biblical love called agape love is a virtue.
It is not an emotion, not a feeling, but a virtue.
When God’s love is in view, agape love is simply a mental attitude love requiring the thoughts in the Bible concerning how to handle different situations, especially marriage.
“We have come to know” - per-act-ind - egnokamen - e*gnwvkamen = to know, to become aware, to perceive, to understand, to be conscious of, to comprehend intellectually.
God’s love for us is based upon who God is not who we are.
All losers and winners have the perfect righteousness of God given to them at the moment of salvation.
When you and I love with this impersonal unconditional agape love, we are literally loving with the very nature of God.
2PE 1:3 Seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to this life and the spiritual life, through the epignosis knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and virtue.
2PE 1:4 For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, in order that by them [His promises and doctrines] you might become partakers of the divine nature,
“Keeps having” - vs. 16, “the love that God has for us” - pres-act-ind - echei - e!cei = He keeps on having and holding agape love for us.
We are royal family and we are under the double portion principle of
DEU 21:17 where the first born would receive a double portion.
We have the righteousness of God the Father, ROM 3:22, and the very righteousness of God the Son, 2CO 5:21.
God’s love is essentially the problem solver of His virtue.
The holiness of God is composed of two factors, His justice and His perfect righteousness.
God wants believers to have the same type of love so He has devised a plan for this love to exist and to be developed.
1CO 13:2 If I do not have agape love, I am nothing.
Impersonal - adjective = without personal reference or connection, not primarily affecting or involving the emotions of a person.
When personal love is used, personal is an adjective which refers to a love and rapport carried on between two individuals.
It is a problem solver that will protect you from becoming bitter, or angry, or jealous or vindictive.
God’s love is not an emotion, or instinct, or feeling; it is a system of thinking with virtue. Right thinking resulting in right action!
1CO 13:13 - agape love is the greatest of all.
The first purpose of this impersonal unconditional agape love is for problem solving.
The second purpose of love after problem solving is to give the believer perfect happiness and contentment.
Agape love does not think with evil thoughts, 1CO 13:5.
Impersonal unconditional agape love is meant to solve problems, while personal love, phileo, creates problems.
Personal love produces problems when it is directed toward man. It is agape or impersonal love which solves problems with mankind.
Agape love or virtuous love can only be developed in your life by personal love toward God or personally falling in love with TLJC.
MAR 12:30 and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.
MAT 6:33 “But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you.”
ROM 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Love is a system of thinking! Not an emotion.