Life Study of Revelation Misses Mark RE: "First Love"

[aron]

Originally Posted by OBW

And don't forget that while there are specific commands concerning love for the saints, there is also the generic "neighbor" that includes everyone else. This is often understood to mean love the saints first and then the rest. And that might be somewhat true. But if you are to love all "neighbors" in the same way that you love yourself, then the difference would seem to be more academic than real.

The faith was called the "way", and one of the prime directives of the way was to love others. Jesus repeatedly taught to give to those who would not repay, and the heavenly reward would be great. He told Zechaias that he was near the kingdom of heaven, when Zechaias informed him that he'd given away half his goods to the poor.

Love does not seek it's own things, but the things of others. Who is the other? That selfsame neighbour who can't pay you back. Love is not calculating, it doesn't plan, it doesn't hold back. It gives.

I daresay all of this was expected of the flock in Ephesus. Love is not merely feeling, but action consistently done, even without reciprocity. We love God because God first loved us, but we love others even if they don't love us back. All of this is foundational for the way. Yes, calling on the Lord is included, but it is minuscule compared to love. Pray-reading is included, but it's nothing without love. Singing hymns of praise is involved, but without love it is empty sound.