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This thread is an offshoot of this thread by @EMNofSeattle. Please read the OP there for context.
"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him hought himself also to walk just as He walked." - 1 John 2:3-6, NKJV
"And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it." - 2 John 5-6, NKJV
Christ Jesus lived and walked by every commandment, statute, and judgment of God. That's how he walked; that's how we should walk.
What does God say about those who substitute their own ideas about love for the commandments of God:
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God" - 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you: depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness'" - Matthew 7:21-23
Further Reading
Regarding the Commandments of God (with particular emphasis on the 7th)
"Remember the former things of old, for I am God and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ’My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.’" - Isaiah 46:9-10
"For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed." - Malachi 3:6
"And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say to you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham." - Matthew 3:9
"Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." - Luke 17:9-10
"I don't change and I don't compromise on evil, but My brand is hurting in the 21st Century, so I'm A-OK with priests preaching in My name whatever damnable thing makes people happy." - Book of OlNate 1:25
I don't know what could possibly give you the impression God respects or regards even slightly what mankind considers right and wrong, or that He'd be willing to compromise on His doctrines in order to win converts, but I'm 100% dead certain it's not the Bible. God doesn't need mankind. He doesn't compromise with mankind. He doesn't expect the vast majority of mankind to obey Him or love Him in this age (see Luke 18:8 or the entire Revelation of John). His "brand" is utter perfection, offered to us as a free gift. Anyone who believes He'd deviate from perfection to gain broader appeal simply does not understand His nature. It's time for such a person to find a church that preaches the full doctrines of the Bible and nothing but the doctrines of the Bible.
What does the Bible have to say about love:You're dabbling in dangerous territory with this thread. This is not good witness, this is weaponized religion, and, ironically, provides atheists with a wonderful example of how Christianity has lost its way. Progressive churches focus on love, which is what we are called to do, and leave the judging up to God...which is also what we are called to do.
"Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him hought himself also to walk just as He walked." - 1 John 2:3-6, NKJV
"And now I plead with you, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment to you, but that which we have had from the beginning: that we love one another. This is love, that we walk according to His commandments. This is the commandment, that as you have heard from the beginning, you should walk in it." - 2 John 5-6, NKJV
Christ Jesus lived and walked by every commandment, statute, and judgment of God. That's how he walked; that's how we should walk.
What does God say about those who substitute their own ideas about love for the commandments of God:
"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God" - 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you: depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness'" - Matthew 7:21-23
Further Reading
Regarding the Commandments of God (with particular emphasis on the 7th)
This is unbelievable coming from a Christian. Your concern is that teaching what your Lord and Saviour teaches without sweetening it up for the masses is "killing his brand". God's "brand". Like He's a carnival barker trying to lure us into the Big Top?By all means, pray about your concerns and frustrations, but I'm not sure how God is served by killing his brand.
"Remember the former things of old, for I am God and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ’My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure.’" - Isaiah 46:9-10
"For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed." - Malachi 3:6
"And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say to you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham." - Matthew 3:9
"Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." - Luke 17:9-10
"I don't change and I don't compromise on evil, but My brand is hurting in the 21st Century, so I'm A-OK with priests preaching in My name whatever damnable thing makes people happy." - Book of OlNate 1:25
I don't know what could possibly give you the impression God respects or regards even slightly what mankind considers right and wrong, or that He'd be willing to compromise on His doctrines in order to win converts, but I'm 100% dead certain it's not the Bible. God doesn't need mankind. He doesn't compromise with mankind. He doesn't expect the vast majority of mankind to obey Him or love Him in this age (see Luke 18:8 or the entire Revelation of John). His "brand" is utter perfection, offered to us as a free gift. Anyone who believes He'd deviate from perfection to gain broader appeal simply does not understand His nature. It's time for such a person to find a church that preaches the full doctrines of the Bible and nothing but the doctrines of the Bible.