Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
Natural affection isn't favoritism. It's just the natural feeling of liking people. [.
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But it
can easily lead to favoritism. Thatīs the point, that by being "natural" in the sense of without God, it easily yields different kinds of bad results, favoritism is just one of the possible bad results. So you "naturally like" someone but donīt like another one. God says to like both. Now you easily fell into favoritism.
Itīs not about God prohibiting affection. Itīs about having affection without God.
You "naturally" love someone, with your
own love...till it runs out, then you donīt want to love them anymore. But God says forgive 7x70, and Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You canīt make it.
OR,
You just "naturally like" a sister, but God says no, not that one. But you insist and insist and both of you are damaged.
OR
You just naturally like your friend from college, you have such a good time together. Until that day when he starts telling you this joke about the Lord and using His name in vain. Now the Lord is burning in you to "sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, being always ready for a defense...." Yet you "naturally like" your friend so much you donīt want to offend him, so you say nothing, and when you get back home your spirit is dead and you are full of shame.
These kinds of things happen all the time, and the Bible is full of examples like these. If the words "natural affection" cause so much confusion to understand these basic things in Godīs word then come up with another phrase.