“Love each other dearly always. There is scarcely anything else in the world but that: to love one another.”
― Victor Hugo
36At the same time that my sanity was restored, my honor and splendor were returned to me for the glory of my kingdom. My advisers and nobles sought me out, and I was restored to my throne and became even greater than before. 37Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and exalt and glorify the King of heaven, because everything he does is right and all his ways are just. And those who walk in pride he is able to humble.(4:34-37)
― Victor Hugo
DANIEL 3-4
34At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.
His dominion is an eternal dominion;
his kingdom endures from generation to generation.
35All the peoples of the earth
are regarded as nothing.
He does as he pleases
with the powers of heaven
and the peoples of the earth.
No one can hold back his hand
or say to him: “What have you done?”
1 JOHN 2
9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sisterb is still in the darkness. 10Anyone who loves their brother and sisterc lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them...
...15Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Fatherd is not in them. 16For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
JOURNAL
John makes a definitive claim. So how do we know those who live in the light? It's based on love of our brothers and the deep object of our desires. We are to love our fellow brothers and sisters and not the world. John makes it very clear that this is our test...this is the litmus test for our hearts. This is how we know. Then we have the amazing story of Nebuchadnezzar. One of the most powerful men to ever walk the earth (in terms of possessions and success). He is humbled by God...a seven year bout with insanity and only comes to his senses and is restored when he humbly submits to God.
This is how we should come before God every morning. In humble reverence...We should be asking do I have hate in my heart for anyone and if so I should be seeking forgiveness from God and seeking to make amends. I likewise should be asking if I love this world (possessions, power, position, money) more than God and others. If so...I need to seek forgiveness and give them up in position in my heart.
This is a simple but tough call and it really cannot be refuted. This is the essence of believing in Christ. This is the foundation of the faith. To do otherwise is simply a way of elevating myself above God.
This is how we should come before God every morning. In humble reverence...We should be asking do I have hate in my heart for anyone and if so I should be seeking forgiveness from God and seeking to make amends. I likewise should be asking if I love this world (possessions, power, position, money) more than God and others. If so...I need to seek forgiveness and give them up in position in my heart.
This is a simple but tough call and it really cannot be refuted. This is the essence of believing in Christ. This is the foundation of the faith. To do otherwise is simply a way of elevating myself above God.
29“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one.e 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’f 31The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’g There is no commandment greater than these.”
MARK 12:29-31
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