Thankfulness

Thanksgiving Day. Many an American's favorite holiday of the year. It's thought its roots are in thankfulness to one's god for abundance received and it is truly perceived to be the only Christian American holiday we have in our American culture. Truth is... the festivities at the time was an observance brought from Europe and has actually been seen in many cultures through time as a celebration of bringing in the foods and stores in preparing for the oncoming winter. One can see how the local county fairs across America could share these same roots. Just as you don't need to be American to live life thankfully, you certainly don't hafta believe in a god to celebrate! Whether you choose to believe in a "higher power" or not, thankfulness is a positive quality of life worth endeavoring for. (However. The proper application of thankfulness in life is found in the Book of Life ... also known as the Holy Bible!) For most today it means a day off work, football, maybe a half a day of hunting, parades, family/friends and feasts. This holiday may be taken as a religious tradition, an annual remembrance of how you strive to live or a time to be among a gathering of loved ones. It's aaaallll good!

The beginnings of the first Thanksgiving festival on this continent is attributed to pilgrims coming to North America from Europe in 1620. On November 21st their ship The Mayflower, because of weather, dropped anchor north of their original destination which was  New York Harbor. Even though it was a warmer than normal winter that year, it took almost half their population, 45 of the original 102 including 13 of the 18 women having succumbed to depravation  and disease. Those that survived the first winter had a favorable growing season and a bountiful harvest, more than enough to sustain them through the next winter. After the harvest the migrants invited the natives of the area, the Wampanoags, (People of the First Light) to their celebration. The Wampanoag tribes had been decimated by an epidemic or combination of epidemics brought over by the Europeans from 1616 - 1620. They had no natural resistance to these diseases. Populations of the tribe went from an estimated 20,000 to about 4,000. The first Thanksgiving was also the cementing of an alliance between the much weakened Wampanoag and the almost pitiful Pilgrims. Most of us today haven't been taught the good will expressed between these two peoples at this low time for them both had deteriorated to all out war within one generation as the immigrants' population increased and expanded aggressively with little or no regard to the native populations. 

Check this out. The Pilgrims land in the New World in November 1620. In March 1621 the Wampanoag high chief Massasoit entered into talks with the Puritans, accompanied by a band of warriors and Squanto (a Wampanoag that had been kidnapped years earlier and sold into slavery in Great Britain. He had returned to his homeland prior to the Pilgrims arrival with a knowledge of the English language and culture.) Squanto was the translator for these first meetings which brought forth a peace treaty which lasted until Massosoit's death. Part of the procedures included Massosoit signing "... an alliance which gave the English permission to take about 12,000 acres of land for Plymouth Plantation. However, it is very doubtful that Massasoit understood the differences between land ownership in the European sense, compared with the native people's manner of using the land. At the time, this was not particularly significant, because so many of Massosoit's people had died that their traditional lands were significantly depopulated. Furthermore, it was impossible for the Wamapanoag to suspect that the few English - people who had barely lived through the winter - could ever be a danger to them." - TheWampanoag.com Near the end of Massosoit's life bad treatment by the European immigrants encroaching on tribal lands led his son, Metacomet, aka to the English as "King Phillip", to build a confederacy of tribes to drive the colonists out. Metacomet was defeated and killed along with other leading chiefs and the Wampanoag and the Narragansett were almost exterminated. Some survivors fled to the islands of Nantucket and Martha's vineyard to join up with those that remained neutral during the war, some fled inland. Disease all but wiped out those on Nantucket. Thus the beginnings of the end of the Native North American peoples' freedom. Some Wampanoag remain today with a congregation on Martha's Vineyard.

"Thanksgiving is celebrated at the expense of Native Peoples who had to give up 

their lands and culture for America to become what it is today."

-  Linda Coombs, Aquinnah Wampanoag, 1997   -

Funny how history is written... or maybe better yet, how history is remembered... and forgotten.. by the victors.

Regardless of what has, what is or what will happen in the world, thankfulness is certainly a quality of life to live by. Why? Because God's Word say's so! And it's good for ya too! Well... if you don't want to be caught on the many treadmills of life that are out there, expending maximum effort without getting anywhere. It also helps to guide one's priorities when experiencing gain. And for a lot of us struggling in this economic mess the world's thrown at us, thankfulness helps you to focus on the Truth that God is your sufficiency. It is one aspect of a mature believer to rise to the level of Solomon's prayer in Proverbs 30:7-9: Two things have I required of thee; Deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: Give me neither poverty nor riches; Feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee and say, "Who is the Lord?" Your need will be supplied as you bring forth that Word of His that you have built into your heart in your daily life. Not just once a year when the turkey population takes a noise dive! Or when us life long Detroit Lions fans find ourselves hoping the Lions play a respectable game on the national stage! Which is right back to where I am after that string of losses. I tell ya... It hadn't been easy on an ol' boy's heart being a Lions fan!

 It wasn't until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed each November would hold a national Thanksgiving Day.

Anyways... Colossians 2:6 & 7 reads As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him; Rooted and built up in Him; and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. First off you must realize to whom the book of Colossians is written to. Chapter 1 verse 2 tells us that this instruction is written "To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ..." addressed to those standing faithful on God's Word "which are at Colosse." Yes this epistle, or letter is addressed to a specific group at a specific time but it crosses across time in that it is indeed addressed to "saints and faithful brethren in Christ." Saints are not as most think of them, namely a few select (dead at that)  to pray to for specific results in specific situations. A saint is actually one who has been sanctified. Spiritual sanctification comes to those that become born again of holy spirit... a gift from God to the individual doing that which is necessary to receive it. In the period of time available to do so. It is this gift and an accurate knowledge of the Scriptures that enables the recipient to "see" spiritual Truth. Among other things! Sanctification is one of the  five sonship rights one receives becoming a child of The Almighty. If you are born again that means you! Sanctify is to set apart. To have spiritual sanctification is to be set apart from this world. We are set apart from the world in that we have partaken of the divine which is the gift given. We have in fact become a human/spiritual being. Which places us in the household of God becoming sons and daughters of God via the spirit, His seed... created in you at the moment of reception. We are set apart in that we have His spirit and we live obedient to Him as loving children to a father. The faithful brethren are those groups born again into God's family... brothers and sisters in Christ living life according to the Scriptures perfectly... right?! NO!!! It doesn't say that! It says, "...stablished in the faith". FAITHFUL! The only way one can be made steadfast in the family faith is to live it, walk it. To... "Walk The Word" so to say. Yeah we're gonna screw up at times. What's new?! The faithful sanctified ones correct the mistakes they make according to the Truth of God's Word and move on. This is how one lives sanctification. To keep adjusting one's thinking towards Truth, which will be manifested in how you live your life in this world. The faithful are those that have proven themselves. Proof they have not only tasted of Truth but are getting a steady diet of it the evidence shown in their lives by how they raise themselves up to the calling of their Father. By how they  "walk ye in Him". This instruction is not addressed to those newly brought into the Household but to those "veterans"... so to say. The point is, in this epistle addressed to the faithful, the disciple is instructed to be "abounding (have an abundance) therin with thanksgiving." The faithful saints are to have an abundance in the giving of thanks that we have received His gift of holy spirit and we have a knowledge of the Truth and that we are living our lives by them both!

So... if God exhorts those that have practiced and proven His Word in their daily lives (which is what "walk ye in Him" means) to not just have an attitude of thanksgiving but to have it in abundance as we move in this life... don't'cha think that's a noteworthy goal for the novice to the Truth  to have?! It sure can't hurt! Good even for the unbeliever in that... doesn't it just seem?... The closet thing to joy and peace are those moments when you are truly thankful?

One more thing before I go slide a turkey in the oven. I find it pretty cool that many references in the giving of thanks is how the leadership of the time of what is considered the first century church offers for fellow believers. Thankfulness for God's chosen. After all... after it's all said and done? All we'll have is each other! And in God's realm! In which we will be enabled to more fully perceive then. And for that... I am thankful!

Recommended Video: History Of Thanksgiving 3:14

We Shall Remain, Episode 1 After The Mayflower, The American Experience, PBS 
                                                                                                         - Video 1:13:51

Related Links

King Philip's War

Pilgrim Hall Museum

The Winter of 1620 -'21

Wampanoag Culture And History

Top 10 Myths About Thanksgiving

Packers Stay Perfect As Lions Come Unglued

George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

Who Brought The Turkey? The Truth About The First Thanksgiving

U.S. Military Veterans Video Tribute

WWII Pacific Naval and Air Battles 4:14

A Medic's Story: Khe Sanh 3:06

Korean War Air Combat Gun Camera Archival Footage 9:58

Marine Tanks in the Battle of Fallujah 2:59

U.S. Army: Firefight in Korengal Valley, Afghanistan 3:54

US Coast Guard -  a 5220 Lb of Cocaine Bust 8:16

U.S Air Force 5:22

A Heart Felt Thank You To All Who Have Served

The Marine Corps Birthday

Well America. November 10, 2012 marks the 237th birthday of your United States Marine Corps. There is a rich history left behind from each generation of leathernecks and devil dogs and jarheads. Here's a few things you might like to know about your Marine Corps.

 A resolution drafted by a Continental Congress committee in Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, PA passes on November 10, 1775. The proprietor of Tun Tavern was Robert Mullan. This resolution called for the raising of two battalions of Continental Marines able to fight on sea or shore. First order of business was to commission the first commandant, young Philadelphian Samuel Nicholas. Mullan became his first captain and chief recruiter the same day. (Probably first thing! Over a beer!) So guess where the first recruiting office was? Yep. Tun's Tavern. Seems to fit doesn't it?! "On November 10, 1775, the Continental Congress commissioned Samuel Nicholas to raise two Battalions of Marines.  That very day, Nicholas set up shop in Tun Tavern.  He appointed Robert Mullan, then the proprietor of the tavern, to the job of chief Marine Recruiter -- serving, of course, from his place of business at Tun Tavern.  Prospective recruits flocked to the tavern, lured by (1) cold beer and (2) the opportunity to serve in the new Corps of Marines.  So, yes, the U.S. Marine Corps was indeed born in Tun Tavern.  Needless to say, both the Marine Corps and the tavern thrived during this new relationship." - USMCPress.com The early Marines distinguished themselves four months after being commissioned in March of 1776 at Fort Nassau, their first amphibious raid on foreign soil in the Bahamas. Led by the new commandant Captain Samuel Nicholas, these Marines took the quick surrender of British troops and seized cannons, powder and other supplies supporting the war against the colonies. Although the Continental Marines were disbanded after the war ended with the 1783 Treaty of Paris along with the Continental Navy, the Marines were formally re-established on July 11, 1798. It was soon after this a Marine operation was initialized to take on Libyan pirates off the "the shores of Tripoli." Because of the Marines versatility, The Corps has served in every American conflict. For a partial list of engagements from WWI to the present check out USMCHangout.com.

History of The Eagle, Globe and Anchor

In 1776, the device consisted of a "fouled anchor" of silver or pewter. (A fouled anchor is an anchor which has one or more turns of the chain around it). The fouled anchor still forms a part of the emblem today. Changes were made in 1798, 1821, and 1824. In 1834, it was prescribed that a brass eagle be worn on the hat, the eagle to measure 3 ½ inches from wingtip to wingtip.

During the early years numerous distinguishing marks were prescribed, including "black cockades," "scarlet plumes," and "yellow bands and tassels." In 1859 the origin of the present color scheme for the officer's dress uniform ornaments appeared on an elaborate device of solid white metal and yellow metal. The design included a United States shield, half wreath, a bugle, and the letter "M."

In 1868, Brigadier General Commandant Jacob Zeilin appointed a board "to decide and report upon the various devices of cap ornaments of the Marine Corps." On November 13, 1868, the board turned in its report. It was approved by the Commandant four days later, and was signed by the Secretary of the Navy on November 19, 1868.

The emblem recommended by the 1868 board consisted of a globe (showing the Western Hemisphere) intersected by a fouled anchor, and surmounted by a spread eagle. On the emblem itself, the device is topped by a ribbon inscribed with the Latin motto "Semper Fidelis" (Always Faithful). The uniform ornaments omit the motto ribbon.

The general design of the emblem was probably derived from the Royal Marines' "Globe and Laurel." The globe on the U.S. Marine emblem signifies continuing historical service in any part of the world. The eagle represents the nation of the United States. The anchor, whose origin dates back to the founding of the Marine Corps in 1775, acknowledges the naval tradition of the United States Marines and their continual service under the command of the Department of the Navy. - from mclwestchester.org

A total of 296 Marines have been the recipients of 298 Congressional Medal of Honor awards. Men like Smedley Butler, Dan Daly, John Basilone, Louis H. Wilson Jr., Grant F. Timmerman and, most recently, Sgt. Dakota Meyer.


"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But, the Marines don’t have that problem." - Ronald Reagan, President of the United States, 1985

First women in the Marines. Lucy Brewer, disguised herself as a gung-ho motivated man and became the first woman to serve as a Marine. She served in the Marine Detachment (MarDet) of the USS Constitution in The War of 1812.  On August 12, 1918, the Secretary of the Navy granted authority to enroll women for clerical duty in the Marine Corps Reserve.  The next day, Opha M. Johnson enlisted and became the first official Woman Marine.

The United States Marine Corps War Memorial in Washington D.C. depicts one of the most famous moments of World War II in the battle of Iwo Jima and stands symbolic of its grateful nation's honor for the Marines that have died in the defense of the United States since 1775. The figures are 32 feet high and are forever erecting a 60 foot flagpole of which an American Flag flies 24 hours a day. The figures posed are the same positions as in the famous photograph taken by Joe Rosenthal. The development of the memorial site and the cost of the statue had no public funding. The $850,000 was all donated by U.S. Marines, former Marines, Marine Reservists, friends of the Marine Corps and members of the Naval Service.

Active Divisions

Official Name	Insignia	Headquarters
1st Marine Division		Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton California
2nd Marine Division		Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune North Carolina
3rd Marine Division		Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler Okinawa, Japan
4th Marine Division		New Orleans, Louisiana

Inactive Divisions

Official Name	Insignia	Headquarters
5th Marine Division		None
6th Marine Division		None

In closing, I'd like to share with you...

The Marines' Prayer

Almighty Father, whose command is over all and whose love never fails, make me aware of Thy presence and obedient to Thy will. Keep me true to my best self, guarding me against dishonesty in purpose in deed and helping me to live so that I can face my fellow Marines, my loved ones and Thee without shame or fear. Protect my family. Give me the will to do the work of a Marine and to accept my share of responsibilities with vigor and enthusiasm. Grant me the courage to be proficient in my daily performance. Keep me loyal and faithful to my superiors and to the duties my country and the Marine Corps have entrusted to me. Make me considerate of those committed to my leadership. Help me to wear my uniform with dignity, and let it remind me daily of the traditions which I must uphold. If I am inclined to doubt; steady my faith; if I am tempted, make me strong to resist; if I should miss the mark, give me courage to try again. Guide me with the light of truth and grant me wisdom by which I may understand the answer to my prayer. Amen.

Recommended Video:

Related Links
Marine Gear
Marine Corps History
Proud To Be An American
A Commitment To Our Nation
Tun Tavern Historic Beginnings
Overview Of Marine Corps History
Commandants Of The Marine Corps
Marine Corps Birthplace, Tun Tavern
United States Marine Corps War Memorial
List Of United States Marine Corps Regiments

Agape. Such A Love As This!

Do you know how to love someone? Do you really know? We all know human, or natural love but natural love falls short for that which you and I really need to sustain us through this life. Natural love seems to need categorized by most humans. Love for spouse. Love for children. Love of family. Love of country. There is a spiritual love that trumps all these and sadly to say many (if not most!) of those that really desire this agape love don't know what it truly is. Many souls have spent and lived a lifetime without experiencing it. Why? Because they haven't gone to the source of this agape to find it.  Many thought they have "ascended" to it but will be surprised to find out sooner or later they came up short. Why? Because they didn't get to the source. The source is God. The one true God that created this physical universe. Many have gotten angry at the source for not revealing it to them but is that God's fault? No! There are gods a-many in this life and if you go to the wrong source you will never find it. Well... how many "sources" are there they you may ask. The answer is, how many religions are there? For every religion there is a different "god'. That goes for denominations also. For every doctrine, for every man made form of worship there is a "god". The line, "All religions lead to the same god" is not accurate. There is but one true God, the father of man's savior Jesus Christ. If you want answers in life such as knowing the purpose of your life, being able to see exactly why things go so wrong in people's lives, if you want genuine, spiritual love manifested in your life you must go to the source of life. That source, that which has been made available to man for thousands of years for the source of Truth is what the One and True God gave man. His Word through an audible voice first to Adam and Eve after the fall, His Word,  written in the stars for the generations up to and into the law, then the written Word that started out as the Old Testament law. He gave us His Word in concretion by way of the life of His Son, Jesus Christ and!... what we know today as "The Holy Bible". Although you can buy many versions of The Holy Bible, you have the basic tool to getting to Truth. It takes effort, serious, diligent effort... to get to the rightly divided Word of God. The Bible is the tool to getting to genuine, spiritual truth.

First off, just reading the Bible for the sake of saying you read it won't get you anywhere but a pat on the back from religious folks (human love). Be advised! It may impress "carnal Christians" but God is not impressed. By its very definition religion is man made forms of worship. "The outward act or form by which men indicate their recognition of the existence of a god or of gods having power over their destiny, to who obedience, service, and honor are due; the feeling or expression of human love, fear or awe of some superhuman and overruling power, whether by profession of belief, fear, or awe of some superhuman and overruling power, whether by profession of belief, by observance of rites and ceremonies, or by the conduct of life; a system of faith and worship; a manifestations of piety." - TheOnlineDictionary.com

Those words "the outward act or form" is all you get in your attempt to base your relationship with "God" on your terms. God is not impressed by what you think your relationship with Him should be. By basing your fellowship with Him by your religion you cut yourself off from the promised blessings. You have no excuse for ignorance. If you have the heart required, you will approach God's Word with an attitude that you don't know it all and then... with personal study and someone qualified to guide you, Truth will be unveiled to you. It does take time. A heart hardened by wrong doctrine becomes darkened and is worthless as far as God is concerned. "Because that when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their  imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." - Romans 1:21 & 22  You want to know God? You want to know genuine, spiritual love? Then approach God's Word with humility. Get the religious dogma out of your head and let God's Word speak for itself! 

The scriptures speak of human love and differentiates this from spiritual love. They are two different words in the Greek (from which the Church Epistles of The Holy Bible were translated). The root word for spiritual love is agape. The root word for human, or natural (brotherly) love is phileo. Phileo is where we get the word philanthropy (love of man) from. Ethelbert W. Bullinger's (December 15, 1837 – June 6, 1913, pictured here) A Critical Lexicon And Concordance To The English And Greek New Testament gives the distinction between the two in his definition of agape. (non edited)  "Agape, love. [A word not found in the profane writers, nor in Philo and Josephus, nor in Acts, Mark, and James. It is unknown to writers outside of the N.T. Philanthropia philanthropy was the highest word used by the Greeks, which is very different thing to agape and even far lower than philadelphia. Philanthropia in its full display was only giving to him who was entitled to it his full rights.] Agape denotes the love which springs from admiration and veneration, and which chooses its object with decision of will and devotes a self-denying and compassionate devotion to it. Love in its fullest conceivable form." Or as I try to explain it.... Phileo is human. It is natural. It is conditional.  You love me and I'll love you. Agape is God. It is supernatural. It is unconditional. I love you because I love. This love can be thought as "the love of and for God in the mind renewed to the Truth of the scriptures and brought forth into manifestation."

Now... Let's take a look at some verses. First up. Natural love. The first useage of phileo is found in Matthew 6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love (phileo) to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of  men. Verily  I say unto you, They have their reward. Later on in his ministry, in a public meeting where Jesus was teaching, after shutting up some scribes trying to trip him up, this word is recorded in Luke 20:45 - 47 Then in the audience of all the people He said unto His disciples, "Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love (phileo) greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; Which devour widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation." Romans 12:9 & 10 Let love (agape) be without dissimulation (not feigning). Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love (philadelphia); in honour preferring one another. Romans is written to believers today. If you are a believer... this pertains to you! Your "preferring" goes to God's Household. You prefer fellow believers.  

Now a few verses with agape... First useage is found in Matthew 24:12 where Jesus is teaching about future events. And because iniquity shall abound, the love (agape) of many shall wax cold. John 3:16 For God so loved (agapao, verb form) the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Romans 5:8 - 10 But God commendeth His love (agape) toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath though Him. For, if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. We don't deserve to be saved, to be made whole... but!, that is God's love. Some of us can blow it half a dozen times before lunch! You've heard God is love? God is agape love. Sound good? It should! It's mans' "natural" environment! God has done what it took to make this available to man after the fall. It cost Him his only son. It's up to those of us that are called to His Household to learn of the details of our calling, claim it and bring it into manifestation. This includes experiencing genuine love in giving and receiving in our daily lives. 

Check this out! On the very night Jesus was taken into custody and before he and his disciples entered into the garden where the Romans took him, he poured his heart out concerning this "new" love. John 15:9 - 19 "As the Father hath loved (agapao) Me, so have I loved (agape) you: If (if! if! if!) ye keep My commandments, ye shall (absolutely) abide in My love (agape); even as I have kept My father's commandments, and abide in his love (agape). These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, That ye love (agapao) one another, as I have loved (agapao) you. Greater love (agape) hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call  you not servants (bondservant, slave) for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in My name, He may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love (agape) one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated Me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love (phileo) his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Think this may be a clue as to why things go wrong at times?! To energize this agape love one must renew their thinking according to God's Word. Hence, "If you keep my commandments."  You can't keep them if you don't know them. You can't know them unless you learn them. You can't learn them if you don't study them. Got it?!

Did you know... as far as God's concerned... you can make mistakes, blow situations and for those of us with a loving attitude... those mistakes will not be charged to us?! (After all, it was the first mistake made by man that put this separation we suffer from between God and man.) II Peter 4:8 And above all things have fervent (hot) charity (agape) among yourselves: for charity (agape) shall (absolutely) cover the multitude of sins. So... my fellow disciples... don't beat yourselves up when ya blow it. Energize that love you have! Renew your thinking to the Truth! (Renewing your mind to Truth is what "repent" means) Strengthen yourself with the Truth of what God's Word reveals. Better yourself as a son or daughter of God mimicking your Father. Love covers a multitude of blowing its! I am convinced "Christian" marriages fail for the most part... because husbands aren't following the instructions given them concerning how to love their wives. The scriptures dealing with this are in Ephesians and Phillippians. "Husbands, love your wives..." Ya wanna guess what greek word love is here?! AGAPE! And one more thing. When it comes to loving your neighbor as yourself? That doesn't mean you have to love anyone who doesn't strive to better themselves through the scriptures. Remember. Israel in those days was a nation of believers. They, tribe by tribe, family by family, friend by friend worked to keep themselves and those they knew on the Truth that had been revealed to them. In our cultures today, there is not one nation that I'm aware of that can be considered a nation of believers. If your neighbors are as most people in the world, you are not bound to love them as you love yourself. A scribe poses the question, "Which is the first commandment of all?" Mark 12:29 - And Jesus answered him, "The first of all the commandments is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love (agape) the Lord thy God with all they heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all the strength:' this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, 'Though shalt love (agape) thy neighbour (your fellow believer) as thyself.' There is none other commandment greater than these." God's people can give their natural love to those around them that choose not to believe or are not believers as yet. You don't fully fellowship your life to them. (Unless you help them to "open their eyes" of course! And then... they still need to prove themselves.) Jesus Christ brought the whole law of the Old Testament down to 2 laws as he was preparing believers for the greatness of what they were about to receive... this Grace Administration we are in now. The commandment to us, God's people today is to just... LOVE!

Ya Are Ya Know!

Related Links
Perceptions
E.W. Bullinger Wikipedia
Religion Definition Webster
Biblical Research Principals
Philosophy Of Love: An Overview