5 minutes a day 5 days a week - a year of Bible Wisdom

I am at a crossroad of whether or not to obey the secular law.  I see more emphasis being placed upon the secular law that is being pushed down our throats than God’s moral law.  Where in the Bible does God or Jesus say to obey man’s secular law?

Sincerely,
Not Above The Law

Dear Not Above The Law,

In multiple places, we are told to obey the government.  Jesus said, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s” (Lk 20:22-25) when asked about paying taxes.  The apostle Paul said that we should obey the government, and he devoted Rom 13:1-7 to the subject.  The apostle Peter taught that we should obey kings, governors, etc. because they are sent by God to praise those that do well and bring vengeance upon those that do evil (1 Pet 2:13-15).  Peter made it clear that we should honor those that rule over us (1 Pet 2:17).  The only time that it is okay to break the law is if the government commands you to do something sinful (Acts 5:27-29).

5 minutes a day 5 days a week - a year of Bible Wisdom

The New Testament commandment from Jesus states, "Love God with all your mind, heart, and soul and your neighbor as yourself, and upon these two commandments hang all the law".  Our personal love is not equal or relative to God’s love.

How can I love my fellow man when my fellow man hates me?  I am missing something here.  It seems it is impossible for me to personally love someone else because it is a material love.

My argument is that God’s love is absolute spiritual love and not our material love.  I believe that spiritual love is an emotional love which comes from the heart, not the mind.

Does love work from the head as well as the heart?  How do I know the Holy Spirit’s voice is talking to me from my mind?

Sincerely,
An Emotional Believer

Dear An Emotional Believer,

The Holy Spirit speaks to you through the Bible (1 Cor 2:11-13, Jhn 14:26), and the Bible teaches that true love is an intellectual decision, not merely an emotion.  The Greek language (the language of the New Testament) has several words that fit the English description of ‘love’.

1. ‘Philos’ is the word for friendly love, companionship, and loyalty.  This is the type of love shared between friends, comrades, and family.
2. ‘Eros’ is the word for passion and romantic love.  This is the type of love that is used to describe sensual attraction or longing.
3. ‘Agape’ is the word used for honored love.  This type of love is sacrificial and places the person or object in a position of honor.  Agape love does what is in the best interest of the other person.

The love that Christ commands us to have is ‘agape’ love.  It may be impossible for you to have friendly feelings toward your enemies, but you can still choose to treat them in an honorable way (Lk 6:27).  Paul says that when we do good things to our enemies, we shame them and heap burning coals upon their heads (Rom 12:20).  Agape love overcomes evil with good (Rom 12:21).  Agape love is a choice, a decision of the mind to place others’ needs before your own (Rom 12:10).

5 minutes a day 5 days a week - a year of Bible Wisdom