Intellectual-Emotional Response

By Johnathan Esteban

Briggs, Daniel (2014). Disciples of Christ Vol. 1 The Axiomatic Force of the Universe 2nd

Edition. Olive Press Books: Oxford, Florida

Chapter 2

The central themes of chapter two are the fundamental principles and composition of

agape and how it affects the universe, including the lives of believers who were labeled

HaMashiyachim (Christians). HaMashiyachim are partakers of His divine nature (2 Peter 1:4) or

“love” thus they are HaMashiyach-like. The universe and all therein was created because of love

and for love and sustained by love. The author explains the three fundamental principles and

components of divine love: the essence, the concept, and the affect, all three working as a

cohesive unit to produce a desired result. I think the most interesting facet of agape is the essence

or the life it gives to the just and the unjust; but if we want to be heirs of eternal life we must be

“found” in agape and agape must be “found” in us (1 John 3:24).

By reading this chapter I’ve come to the practical understanding of certain scriptures that

have previously eluded me for whatever reason (Luke 8:18; Matthew 25:29). Although some

have love per se, the same do not practice out of love for the One who ultimately gives love.

Whatever love they seem to have is even taken away. This is a grave mistake that Yahushua

gave strict warning of, the “don’t do this warning”. He also gives the “do this warnings” which

are actually the two greatest commandments He strongly reiterates. Yahushua further reveals

concerning this dispensation that “On these two commandments hang all the law and the

prophets” (Matthew 22:40). Instead of observing specific commandments we love and

consequently we fulfill. The first commandment is greater than the second because we must

observe the first in order to fulfill the second. I am grateful for Yahushua to establish his apostles

to even further reveal the truth (of Matthew 22:40) throughout the New Testament epistles.

The author also focuses on what Holy Writ describes as fruit. I was captivated at his

understanding of 1 Corinthians 13:13 and the explanation he gives concerning faith, hope, and

love; he refers to it as “the juxtaposition of”. It is quite extraordinary yet so simple to conclude

that faith and hope are the products of love (love for Yahushua and others) and applying the

following scriptures to validate his statement: Hebrews 11:1; Galatians 5:6; 1 Thessalonians 1:3.

He explains: “In other words, LOVE builds Relationships; Relationships build Hope; Hope

builds Faith (trust); Faith pleases YHWH.” Because I have faith, I have the substance that

caused that faith and the evidence of that which I hoped for.

I understand from my experience, and from Holy Writ, and from chapter two that faith,

fruit, and works are all one and the same because faith without works is dead and faith/works is

fruit that pleases YHWH (James 2:18, 20, 22). Good works are wrought from love for YHWH

and for people; love does no ill to Him or to one’s neighbor, in fact it benefits. In conclusion, I

would like to provide an understanding obtained from reading chapter two. The three

fundamental principles and components of agape can be translated in relation to The Father

being the essence, The Son being the concept, The Holy Ghost being the affect and these three

are one (1 John 5:7). Amen.