Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Charity (05/08/25)
-
TITLE: What We Do For Love | Previous Challenge Entry
By Doug Laird
05/14/25 -
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES
The English translators replaced ayaTTN with “love” or “charity.”
There is an old saying that something is lost in the translation.
In the case of Scripture, it is the clarity that the original languages (Hebrew, Greek, Aramaic) provide.
Most believers think they have the right version of the Bible in hand.
The truth is that ALL Bibles, in ANY other language, other than the original Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic languages, are only, at best, good translations of the original manuscripts, with varying degrees of accuracy.
In fairness to the well-intending translators, it must be noted that translators of any document into a different language, especially one that is as ambiguous as the English language, have a very difficult task.
In many cases, there was, or is, no word in the English language that perfectly matches the clarity found in the inspired words of the original manuscripts.The precise meaning of the words was self-contained, requiring no further explanation.
There is also the fear that by inserting a clarifying adjective to identify which type of love that any given verse was referring to, would be perceived as “adding to Scripture (1),” raising suspicion as to the integrity of the completed work.
Yet without such clarifying English adjectives to define the general noun love, readers who are without an edified soul structure (2), or are not being taught by a Biblically-qualified pastor teacher, are in a position to be easily confused or to misinterpret dozens of key verses of New Testament Scripture.
We are commanded to love God above and beyond the love we have for anyone or anything else (3). We are to love fellow believers (4). We are commanded to love our neighbor as much as we love ourselves (5). We are commanded to love our enemies (6). Husbands are commanded to love their wives (7).
These love commands are fulfilled, if and when, the best interests of the objects of our love are put ahead of our own.
Misplaced love of people or activities amounts to spiritual adultery and or idolatry, disqualifying (8) a Heaven-bound, born-again believer, from the life of discipleship here on Earth, and from being the recipient of reward and privileges (9) in Heaven, that are reserved for those who became advancing disciples during their time, here on Earth.
Learning what type of love God is referring to in any one of the above scenarios is critically important.
Otherwise, if you try to develop or to apply (emotionally-charged) personal love in situations where God is calling for (often emotion-free) unconditional love, you’re going to find yourself in frustrating situations, putting demands on yourself that God never intended.
One will never “feel” or have the same “love” for his or her enemies, or for those who have deeply hurt him, as one has for God, or for other people that one cares for, or care for him.
But he can mature and better interact by forgiving others, as often and as completely, as God has forgiven him.
Humans have the capacity to develop great love or great hatred for virtually anything.
Different loves have different definitions, but all have the same standard of measurement.
Love is measured by the extent that the lover is willing to self-sacrifice in order to satisfy the object of his or her love.
The object of one’s love can be God, oneself, other people, places, activities, or things.
Finally, the difference between love and charity is that love is an emotion, measured by the extent that the lover (the one expressing the love) will go in order to satisfy the object of his or her love.
Whereas charity, be it on the organizational or individual level, is the end result of the good that the love of others have developed.
“Good deeds” can be performed for a variety of reasons, but be void of love or charity.
They can be self-seeking investments. They can be the result of some sense of moral or religious obligation, or even guilt, real or imagined. They can be the means to merely make a living.
It is when these SAME deeds are performed because of the love that the provider has for the recipient(s), that love and charity are in view.
(1) Deut. 4: 2 (2) Matt. 7: 24-25 (3) Matt. 22: 37/Luke 14: 26 (4) Eph. 4: 2 (5) Matt. 22: 39 (6) Matt. 5: 44 (7) Eph. 5: 25 (8) Luke 14: 26 (9) 1Cor. 3:14/Rev. 2/Rev. 3
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.