May 08, 2007 How does Jesus link intimacy to him with obedience to him? a New commandment?
I believe fundamentally in Grace. Obedience to God should flow naturally from loving God, not because we are trying to earn our salvation. I don`t think it`s a new commandment.
May 08, 2007 If you had a one-on-one meal with Jesus, what would you discuss?
His life - what it was like to leave Heaven, live on earth, die on the cross, be resurrected and returned to heaven.
My life - what does God want me to do to help the Kingdom of Heaven on earth" Is there some call that I am not hearing"
May 08, 2007 Why does Jesus call Love One Another a New commandment?
I think since Jesus was speaking largely to Jewish audiences and the 10 commandments passed down from God to Moses were so important in their faith tradition, Jesus calls his instruction to Love One Another a commandment. He is saying to his Jewish audience - this is important - it is on par with the 10 commandments and it is from God the Father. Honoring the 10 commandments is central to the faith tradition of the Jewish people, Jesus is saying Love One Another is central to Christianity.
For me, compassion is about acting for an another with complete selflessness. I think it is rooted in empathy - truely being able to put yourself in the place of another and feel their situation/pain/suffering, etc... Jesus is the personification of compassion - the crucifiction is the ultimate act of selfnessless. Thank you Lord for your compassion! :-''
