Loving your enemies

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atwhatcost said:
That's two answers. Because "I don't" isn't giving it to God, and if you're giving it to God he gets you to act.

So, again, how do you deal with it? No vague Christianese singsong sayings. Reality!
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Are you telling me not giving your problems and praying to Him about it is not working for you? How long did you pray to Him about it? Do you not know that they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength?
 
atwhatcost said:
You're being played, Jason. All DH is doing is enticing you into a cold, hard, unforgiving camp so you can think you aren't of the world, and yet, you aren't of God either.
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How do you know my life and thoughts that you know I do not forgive?
 
I think folks are missing the whole point of the thread. Love your enemies. If you consider me your enemy.... you have to love me. If that is not working for someone here then they need to read 2 Corinthians 13:5.
 
Blain said:
But I wonder if I love you does that make you my enemy?
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God will only reward righteousness and punish wickedness. God cannot side with those who condone evil or those who treat others in a wrong kind of way. If you do good, then he will reward you. If you do bad, then you will be punished. It's that simple. God's grace does not cover continued rebellion or evil done against Him in the present (While one is doing such evil).
 
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Jason0047 said:
God cannot side with those who condone evil or those who treat others in a wrong kind of way.
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True but we are not God are we? imho the only enemy I have is satan every other person on this earth even if they are evil and cruel are not because I know how deeply God loves and cares for them and how far he is willing to go for their sake
 
Jason0047 said:
I think folks are missing the whole point of the thread. Love your enemies. If you consider me your enemy.... you have to love me. If that is not working for someone here then they need to read 2 Corinthians 13:5.
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Those who take the time to debate you, do love you, Brother.

It may seem nasty at times, and people may get frustrated, .....but that's no different than what real families do.

Brothers and Sisters.....gotta love them.
 
Blain said:
True but we are not God are we? imho the only enemy I have is satan every other person on this earth even if they are evil and cruel are not because I know how deeply God loves and cares for them and how far he is willing to go for their sake
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God is willing to go far His people but He will not willingly condone their sin and or be in favor with it. God is Holy and good. If He condoned or allowed His people to do bad, it would reflect badly upon HIm. Yes, God is merciful and He is longsuffering to those who struggle to do good, but if they do not care to do good, then there is a problem.
 
JFSurvivor said:
In the Bible there is a whole slew of verses about loving your enemies. I have some thoughts and some questions on that...

Luke 6:27-36
V.35-36: Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for He is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate.

So here is what I am thinking:God loves everyone, even "bad people".

In my mind (and I don't know if God sees it this way, this is just how I see it) there is no such thing as "good" and "bad" people. There is just hurt people. when someone hurts me do I get upset? yes but I also wonder what they are hurting about too.

I think God put these verses in there because He knows hurt people, hurt people and he doesn't want that cycle to continue and the only way to break that cycle is to love those who hurt you. So then the focus is more on helping them than on yourself and how much you are hurt. Of course it is healthy to process your anger and hurt in a healthy way and I think part of that includes seeing that individual who hurt you as another hurt individual. I don't know if that's how it is and I'm not claiming to know the heart of God but I am just saying what I have seen from my experience.

So what do you think about this?

Also, Romans 12:19-21 states that if you are kind to your enemies it will be like heaping burning coals on his head. Why did it say that? It's like "be nice to your enemies so they suffer." I don't get that. I mean is it saying "be nice so the natural consequences come about to that person and they change for the better." or what? I'm all confused. Thoughts?
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Beautiful outlook!
 
Reborn said:
Those who take the time to debate you, do love you, Brother.

It may seem nasty at times, and people may get frustrated, .....but that's no different than what real families do.

Brothers and Sisters.....gotta love them.
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No. It is nasty at times because of Galatians 4:29 and Genesis 21:9 NIV.
 
Jason0047 said:
God is willing to go far His people but He will not willingly condone their sin and or be in favor with it. God is Holy and good. If He condoned or allowed His people to do bad, it would reflect badly upon HIm. Yes, God is merciful and He is longsuffering to those who struggle to do good, but if they do not care to do good, then there is a problem.
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Loving them on that kind of level being willing to go as far as he did isn't the same as willingly condoning their sin or being in favor with it
 
Blain said:
Loving them on that kind of level being willing to go as far as he did isn't the same as willingly condoning their sin or being in favor with it
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What are we talking about?
God's love whereby He sent His only begotten Son?
Or God allowing His people to think they can sin and still be saved?
Or are you talking about something else?
 
JFSurvivor said:
Ok so a terrorist and a rapist are two COMPLETLY seperate cases. One involves demonic activity and it's not the rapist.

Also might I remind you that I also was sexually assaulted. I am angry at those who did it but I understand why. I don't usually talk about it on here because this has actually been a pretty safe place for me to vent my frustetions.

Believe it or not but one of the guys who assaulted me is actually just a big teddy bear inside who really needs a hug. I know that sounds weird but it's true. I saw a side to him that is so deeply hurt it pains me to think about. I know exactly what hurt him too because he told me about it. Now he's confused about a lot of things and no one really gets why he is the way he is. I would NEVER go back to him because that would be dangerous but I understand.

The teacher at my school whp was such a jerk? His mom had cancer and he was told she was going to die multiple times (She didn't but it was still scary for him). His mom never really validated him and gave him love cuz she had none to give.

His mom was raped, made to work hard labor from a young age, had to raise all her siblings and turned out to be a very mean woman.

Does this mean they get a pass for doing what they did? No. But I understand and it makes it easier to forgive them, easier to pray for them and easier to love them....even within my anger and hurt. Does that make sense?
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Once again, You have a beautiful outlook.
 
Love is also shown in open rebuke where its called hidden love when that seems with held

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore,and repent.

Prov 27:5 Open rebuke is better than secret love.

Like this one, this also is open as well.

1 Ti 5:20 Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.


Lev 19:17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him. (See next verse 18 answered for in Mark 12:31)


Then there are scorners who could hate you for reproof where a wise man will love you

Prov 9:8 Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.

So when he says,

Rev 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Thats love in Jesus

The scriptures are given for reproof and correction not our big mouths blathering insults all over one another




 
Jason0047 said:
What are we talking about? God's love whereby He sent His only begotten son or God allowing His people to think they can sin and still be saved? Or are you talking about something else?
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we are talking about something that unless you have inside you then you will not understand it even if I explain it to you. I am talking about love not love from human perspective or a kind of love that comes from the human heart but a love not of this world a love that is far more than what we perceive as a feeling. it is this love makes one a true believer and it is this love that gives you the eyes to see through his and to love with his heart. Without a love such as this you won't ever know or see the hidden and secret treasure in his heart or of his kingdom. it has nothing to do with a sinless perfection doctrine
 
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