mankind from sin. Talking to the Father, Jesus Christ said: Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them
although the la w required them to be made. Here I am, I have come to do Your will Hebrews 10:8-9. Paul said that Jesus Christ came to set aside the first covenant to
establish the second. Christ is the mediator of the new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance- now that He has died as a ransom
to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. Hebrews 9:15. And Christ did die for all of us. He died so we soul no longer live for ourselves, but for
the One who died and was raised to life for us 2 Corinthians 5: 15.
2.1.3.3 Forgiveness No one makes us angry. Anger is our own emotional response to some action
or event. More often than not, our angry feelings are based on a misinterpretation of what someone has said or did. Expressing anger tends to prolong and reinforce our
anger rather than purge it. Angry words and actions are much more likely to escalate hostilities and block communication than to solve a problem. Whether between parent
and child, spouses, friends, or nations, expressions of anger divide us and drive us
toward open hostility.
It is all too easy to react to lifes annoyances and disappointments with anger. It is far more challenging, but much better, to react with understanding and empathy. In
this way, we can quickly settle disputes and avoid turning minor incidents into major battles. The humble demeanor is a perfect tool for avoiding disputes and hard feelings
.
Jesus said there is no place for hatred, holding a grudge, revenge, retaliation or getting even in the life of a Christian.
You have heard that it was said, ‘eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right
cheek, turn to him in the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. NIV, Matthew 5:38-40
You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends the rain on the
righteous and the unrighteous. NIV, Matthew 5:43-45
Bearing a grudge and seeking revenge are never appropriate responses to a perceived wrongness. A grudge destroys the grudge-holder with bitterness, and
revenge only escalates hostilities. Jesus told us we must reconcile with our adversaries, forgive their transgressions, and let go of the anger that may tempt us to commit for an
act of revenge. God is merciful and forgive our sins and failings. In the same way, we must be
merciful and forgive other people who sin against us or do us harm. Talking about forgiveness, there are many verses in the Bible teaching about that. We can also see
other references on Leviticus 19:18, Psalms 37:8-9, Proverbs 10:12, 12:16, 15:1, 15:7, 19:11, 20:22, 24:29, Matthew 5:21-26, 5:43-48, Romans 12:17-21, 1 Corinthians 6:7-
8, Ephesians 4:26, 4:31-32, Colossians 3:7-8, James 1:19-20, 1 Thessalonians 5:15, 1 Peter 3:9, 1 John 2:9-11, 4:19-21, Matthew 5:7, 18: 21-35, Mark 11:25, Luke 17:3-4,
Colossians 3:12-14, Ephesians 4:32
2.1.3.4 Love
The English word “love” has many different meanings, but the Greek word, agape
, used in the New Testament, is commonly known as “Christian Lo ve.” It means respect, affection, benevolence, good-will, and concern for the welfare of the one
loved. PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
Agape received a broader usage under later Christian writers as the word that specifically denoted Christian love or charity 1 Corinthians 13:1–8, or even God
1 John 4:8, Theos ein agape, God is Love. The New Testament provides a number of definitions and examples of agape that generally expand on the meanings derived
from ancient texts, denoting brotherly love, love of ones spouse or children, and the love of God for all people.
The Christian usage of the term agape comes almost directly from the canonical Gospels account of the teachings of Jesus. When asked what was the
greatest commandment, Jesus said, ‘”Love agapao the Lord your God with all your heart and with all yo ur soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest
commandment. And the second is like that: “Love agapao your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-41
At the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: You have heard that it was said, Love agapao your neighbor and hate
your enemy. But I tell you: Love agapao your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in
heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love
you, what reward will you get? Matthew 5: 41-48
Christian writers have generally described agape, as expounded on by Jesus, as a form of love which is both unconditional and voluntary. Tertullian, in his 2nd
century defense of Christians remarked how Christian love attracted pagan notice: What marks us in the eyes of our enemies is our loving kindness. Only look, they
say, look how they love one another Apology 39. In the New Testament the noun agape is often used to describe Gods love.
However, the verb form agapao is at times used in a negative sense, where it retains its PLAGIAT MERUPAKAN TINDAKAN TIDAK TERPUJI
more ge neral meaning of affection rather than divine love. Such examples include: •
2 Timothy 4:10—…for Demas has forsaken me, having loved [agapao] this present world….
• John 12:43—for they loved [agapao] the praise of men more than the praise
from God. •
John 3:19—but men loved [agapao] darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
Love always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting 1Corinthian 13: 7. But, more on that, 1Corinthian 13: 1-13 explain much about love. It is because in love,
there is no hate, jealousy, boastful, selfish, and so on. Even love is the greatest among hope and faith verse 13. Therefore, love is best described in this chapter of the book.
Love is patient, love is kind, and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked,
does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things,
hopes all things, endures all things. NAS, 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is the thing that rules the world and our lives. There are many teachings in the Bible about love. Jesus Himself has shown His love for humankind by
crucifying Himself so that we, human, no longer live within our sins that keep us away from God.
2.1.3.5 Purpose of Life
