John 15:13, in the Bible, says ..."Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."

You can interchange the words 'Friend' or 'Neighbor' ...and as told in the story of the Good Samaritan, that can be anyone we come across.  We don't need to know them ...who they are.  We mostly have to understand who we are.

There have been so many semantics thrown about ...I am going to address it once more. Within the discussion of Jesus loving the sinner ...we must also include the fact that Jesus hates sin.

Do you believe the final destination for all of us is either Heaven or Hell.  I don't like the jokes about asking whether we've got fire insurance or not.  Yes, I am familiar with the reference to "lake of fire".

A fireman's purpose is mainly to put out fires, saving lives and property.  The bravery involved is a commitment to risk one's own life to save another.

We could compare sin to fire ...it consumes, it's not easily put out, and it hurts those living there.  Fire needs something to burn, and it needs the same breath that we need.

Our kids were just watching a Star Trek episode where the logical Spock said that evil needs followers if it is to grow.  It is within each one of us to decide.  And it is mostly done through the breath of what we testify to.

We can either testify to what is good, or to what is evil.  I once read that the ultimate horror is beauty that deceives.  Well, we often don't look at things in just the light of beauty, or not ...but we do associate according to what we either feel is desirable, or with the unresolved struggles within us.  

Let me give an example.  We seem to more quickly react to feelings of discontentment and anger, because they sadly are often deeper. 

With a deep relationship with God, aided by prayer, study, and fellowship with other believers (peer group) we have a better chance to counteract those other deep feelings. Assisted, love can go deeper still. 

But, I said I was going to give an example.  Well, here it is ...during the 2012 Presidential campaign, we were told to vote for 'revenge'.

A: "No, the Bible says, 'Vengeance is Mine, saith the Lord'."

Q: "Oh, so God is going to punish the people?"

A: "No, that's not what I'm saying ...God is merciful."

Q: "You mean, God isn't going to punish the person?"

A: "Not necessarily in this life, but the next ...unless, he accepts that Jesus loves him."

Q: "But, I was told that Jesus loves everyone ...yet, we still have to live here on earth, while Jesus is in heaven.  I'm voting for revenge ...to punish the other guy."

A: "That's not right."

Q: "They can't go unpunished by simply saying Jesus loves them!"

A: "Well, they can escape punishment by accepting Jesus."

Q: "So, everybody can do whatever they want without being worried of consequences?"

A: "Well, no, they can get caught."

Q: "You mean, God hasn't caught them yet?"

A: "Caught who yet?"

Q: "Hey, now you're asking the questions."

A: "I just don't know who it is that you are saying you need revenge against."

Q: "I am not sure either ...but I'm sure I don't want them to get away with it."

A: "How are you sure the ones asking for you not to let them get away with something ...are not the ones who are trying to get away with something?"

Q: "You have a point there.  I guess I'm not sure ...but they sure make you feel like the other side is doing something wrong."

A: "I don't know either, but I do know it's not right to incite such feelings, not backed up by any facts at all."

Q: "You're right, and I guess most facts may not be facts at all."

I'm not trying to build a case. But, it is a fact that we all form thoughts and opinions ...and hopefully there is a foundation behind what we say.

My foundation began with my upbringing ...and I am thankful for Dad & Mom, who love me.  There is no doubt in my mind about that.

I also know that God loves me ...and though that may not be entirely clear at our humble beginnings as a child, God puts people in our lives to get us to the point where His love becomes more evident.

Often the trouble is, the enemy is also active in the attempt to convince us otherwise.  The breath of lies and deceit fill up those empty cavities within us, if we have not allowed God to fill us.  It is not my objective to say it is our fault ...but it should be our concern.