Friday, August 19, 2011

Choices and Love

I enjoy watching nature documentaries about animals.  I'm not sure why this is so intriguing to me but I always look forward to watching them on PBS and animal planet.  One thing I've always admired is how female animals and birds are so careful about who they allow to mate with them. 

The male species would always have to prove themselves via strength and or display then the female would in most cases decide whether or not they would allow this male to mate with them for offspring.

I always wonder how much thought and consideration humans take in account with regards to offspring when choosing a mate.  The thought and consideration I am referencing is not necessarily about looks as much as character traits which are usually expressed through this males life choices.

I consider that Adam and Eve were created perfect and lived in a perfect environment but their bad choices holds consequences to all generations after who were born in sin and shapen in iniquity thus we all have the natural tendency to sin because of our forefathers who were made perfect but their choices have passed down consequences to us.

My point is that it appears that our bad choices (lying/deception, laziness, high mindedness, manipulation, gossiping,  fornication/adultery, hypocrisy etc, etc.)  will have some genetically/spiritually infused consequences passed on to our children.   In Exodus 20:5-6 says For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,  but showing mercy to thousands, to those who love Me and keep My commandments.

I strive daily to love the Lord not only via 'lip service' but through my choices.  That does not mean that I am perfect as I slip up sometimes but I believe that having a mind to truly Love God though our choices He will show mercy to me and to those who are purposeful in keeping his commands and this mercy will extend though our generations.

Some say the ten commandments were for the old testament times and we are no longer required to adhere to them and instead pointing to the new testament Matthew 22:39 which states
36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’[d] 38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’[e]
40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”

I highlighted verse 40 which points back to the ten commands in Exodus 20:1-17. The first  five commands in Exodus 20:1-17 outlines how we demonstrate our love for God and the last 5 commands illustrate how we show love to our neighbors.

John 14:15 says:  “If you love Me, keep My commandments.

2 comments:

  1. I do agree that we have traits we inherit from our parents. However, I believe we all have the wisdom - if we listen - to know what is right and wrong

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  2. Lovely post, and I agree too. Thanks for sharing.

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