Love "Limits"

There are some philosophy in my thoughts tonight as I approach them. We are living based on choices we make. We think and take on decisions. There are virtually innumerable choices in life. To choose one course would mean to leave other courses un-choosen. To take a path of decision would mean to leave the other paths un-taken. To do also mean to leave others un-done.

There are limits in love, namely 2 to be broadly categorised biblically. The first is by clashing claims. there exists limits to which love can do when doing good to one person would mean not doing good to another person. For example, imagine if we have captured the greatest terrorist of all time, Osama Bin Laden, and we know that the Bible teaches us forgiveness and we certainly need to forgive. However, we know that by not punishing the principles and acts by which this person has committed, we are by far ignoring the violence, hurt, destruction and pain that had been caused by the crimes that had been committed. We also know that the very purpose why a government exist is to restrain and uphold justice and order within the society. Hence, in this case, we know that the civil act of punishing criminals is an act of tender love to many people through severe justice of a few people.

The second kind of limits, is the limit Jesus spoke about the unforgiveable sin: "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come." ~Matthew 12:32 (NIV). It is the threshold beyond which God's love would not pursue any further and the point where subjects of love become objects of wrath upon which judgment in time would pour. This also speaks of incorrigible sinners who blatantly oppose the spirit's work. There could be a rare instance where this would cross unforgivability. "If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that." ~ 1 John 5:16 (NIV). However, having said this, we are to continue to do good as far as we can and hope that the person would see our good deeds and glorify our Father in heaven.

"In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

~ Matthew 5:16 (NIV)