Loving your enemies

[Sirk]

(Heling them to be more like Him).

Couldn't agree more....and He uses experience in relationships to get er done. Think about it this way.....we can be entertained by things like racing or soccer or olympic curling....When God created us do you remember that He said "it is good"? That means the persons personhood is good and that is what Jesus wants us to give Him. The real, raw warts and all you....and He wants you to have fulfilling relationships...to laugh to cry to mourn and to carry others burdens. To be connected to Him and people. It's what the body of Christ is all about...connectedness.

 

[Sirk]

Yeah, but was I persecuting you by disagreeing?

haha...my feelers were hurt. Disagreement is good.

 

[Sirk]

It doesnt say that,

doesn't make it any less true. People disagree...to think that it is persecution is a HUGE error in thinking.

 

[DesiredHaven]

doesn't make it any less true. People disagree...to think that it is persecution is a HUGE error in thinking.

He is persecuted no one can be that blind

I had the guy on IGNORE for months, and I took him off and couldnt believe my eyes

The man made you guys look like reprobates because his behavior was actually Christlike

Says, mark them, and he could actually teach me a thing or two, I dont even have the self control he has

God bless him

 

[SarahM777]

I do share my walk with others. As I said, I do so with those in whom I trust and or do so by the leading of the Spirit at the right time. I do not just reveal everything to everyone. Especially those who seek to attack me. For did Jesus share openly everything? No. He spoke to others in parables and then revealed the mysteries of the Kingdom to his disciples. I believe the standard of truth is the Word of God. I am not going to correct someone by me speaking about my life. Only the Word of God can correct people.

When have you shared much of anything on here at all Jason? And where did I say you were to reveal everything to everyone on here. It would be FOOLISH and dangerous to do so. (I myself would never so on here either,because of where I have been)

Yes Jesus did not share everything openly to everyone BUT THEY SAW HIS WALK AND TALK. Jesus pointed back to the EVIDENCE OF WHAT HE DID. Not just what He said.

 

[zoii]

Do you want a Bible verse so as to answer that question?

OK Jason ty

 

[Jason0047]

While we cannot pay the price for mankind's sins; We are to walk as He walked. We are to live the life that he lived. Jesus Christ is our example. We are to conform to the image of the Son. However, we are not alone in this. The Lord lives within a believer and does the good work thru them (Heling them to be more like Him).

Edit:

Meant to say... helping.

 

[SarahM777]

He is persecuted no one can be that blind

I had the guy on IGNORE for months, and I took him off and couldnt believe my eyes

The man made you guys look like reprobates because his behavior was actually Christlike

Says, mark them, and he could actually teach me a thing or two, I dont even have the self control he has

God bless him

Yes Jason does get grief,no doubt about it,but Jason also leaves OUT COMPASSION and MERCY,which also are fruits of love.

Hosea 6
​

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice,
and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

Micah 6

With what shall I come before the Lord
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
[SUP]7 [/SUP]Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of olive oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
[SUP]8 [/SUP]He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly[SUP][a][/SUP] with your God.
​

Zechariah 7

[SUP]8 [/SUP]And the word of the Lord came again to Zechariah: [SUP]9 [/SUP]“This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.[SUP]10 [/SUP]Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’

Matthew 5

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

James 2

[SUP]8 [/SUP]If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[SUP][a][/SUP] you are doing right. [SUP]9 [/SUP]But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. [SUP]10 [/SUP]For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. [SUP]11 [/SUP]For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”[SUP][b][/SUP] also said, “You shall not murder.”[SUP][c][/SUP] If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
[SUP]12 [/SUP]Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, [SUP]13 [/SUP]because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.


James 3

[SUP]13 [/SUP]Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. [SUP]14 [/SUP]But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. [SUP]15 [/SUP]Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. [SUP]16 [/SUP]For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
[SUP]17 [/SUP]But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. [SUP]18 [/SUP]Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.


Jude 1

[SUP]17 [/SUP]But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. [SUP]18 [/SUP]They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” [SUP]19 [/SUP]These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.
[SUP]20 [/SUP]But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, [SUP]21 [/SUP]keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
[SUP]22 [/SUP]Be merciful to those who doubt;[SUP]23 [/SUP]save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh

Romans 1

[SUP]28 [/SUP]Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. [SUP]29 [/SUP]They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, [SUP]30 [/SUP]slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; [SUP]31[/SUP]they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. [SUP]32 [/SUP]Although they know God’s righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them.

Does God include showing mercy to others as a fruit of those who believe Him?

Colossians 3

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. [SUP]2 [/SUP]Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. [SUP]3 [/SUP]For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. [SUP]4 [/SUP]When Christ, who is your[SUP][a][/SUP] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
[SUP]5 [/SUP]Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. [SUP]6 [/SUP]Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.[SUP][b][/SUP] [SUP]7 [/SUP]You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. [SUP]8 [/SUP]But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. [SUP]9 [/SUP]Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices [SUP]10 [/SUP]and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. [SUP]11 [/SUP]Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.
[SUP]12[/SUP]Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.[SUP]13 [/SUP]Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. [SUP]14 [/SUP]And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

We are told to clothe ourselves with COMPASSION.

Proverbs 10


12Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.

1 Peter 4

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. [SUP]2 [/SUP]As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. [SUP]3 [/SUP]For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. [SUP]4 [/SUP]They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. [SUP]5 [/SUP]But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. [SUP]6 [/SUP]For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. [SUP]7 [/SUP]The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. [SUP]8 [/SUP]Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. [SUP]9 [/SUP]Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. [SUP]10 [/SUP]Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. [SUP]11 [/SUP]If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.



Compassion,mercy and encouragement can NOT be left out and are also a part of love.

 

[Jason0047]

When have you shared much of anything on here at all Jason? And where did I say you were to reveal everything to everyone on here. It would be FOOLISH and dangerous to do so. (I myself would never so on here either,because of where I have been)

Yes Jesus did not share everything openly to everyone BUT THEY SAW HIS WALK AND TALK. Jesus pointed back to the EVIDENCE OF WHAT HE DID. Not just what He said.

When did Jesus reveal his miracles to his attackers? For his enemies tempted him and said if you are the Son of God then you take yourself down from off the cross. But they did not know what they were saying. Their eyes were blinded. Covered. They could not see the evil they were doing. As I said before, I have shared with others my walk and how God worked miraculously in it. But I have done so with those of whom I trust and not those who are going to treat my experiences as if I was casting pearls before those who would just hate me all the more. You are demanding power. But first one must receive the Word in their heart in order to believe what God's Word is saying on certain matters. Faith in God's Word comes first. Believing and not seeing even when one does not see any kind of miracle.

 

[Jason0047]

That's a really hard thing to ask. Is it possible u can still hate someone n not be sinning?

Okay, seeing I have your permission and okay:

1 John 3:14-15 says,
"He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him."

 

[zoii]

Okay, seeing I have your permission and okay:

1 John 3:14-15 says,
"He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him."

What does mean when its just not possible to forgive or worse love someone who you hate and who is evil. Is that saying I would be condemed

 

[JFSurvivor]

What does mean when its just not possible to forgive or worse love someone who you hate and who is evil. Is that saying I would be condemed

It's never impossible...it may take time but not impossible. I once thought it was impossible to love those who abused me but I eventually came to love them. You gotta want to love them and you gotta look for where they are hurting too.

 

[zoii]

It's never impossible...it may take time but not impossible. I once thought it was impossible to love those who abused me but I eventually came to love them. You gotta want to love them and you gotta look for where they are hurting too.

But I just don't think I can do that and Im a bit worried what that means

 

[SarahM777]

When did Jesus reveal his miracles to his attackers? For his enemies tempted him and said if you are the Son of God then you take yourself down from off the cross. But they did not know what they were saying. Their eyes were blinded. Covered. They could not see the evil they were doing. As I said before, I have shared with others my walk and how God worked miraculously in it. But I have done so with those of whom I trust and not those who are going to treat my experiences as if I was casting pearls before those who would just hate me all the more. You are demanding power. But first one must receive the Word in their heart in order to believe what God's Word is saying on certain matters. Faith in God's Word comes first. Believing and not seeing even when one does not see any kind of miracle.

Do you believe that those who believe in OSAS are saved or condemned?

 

[CWJ]

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?

'Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves,
but rather give place unto wrath:
for it is written, Vengeance is mine;
I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him;
if he thirst, give him drink:
for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil,
but overcome evil with good.'
(Rom 12:19-21)


Hi JFSurvivor,

I believe that in giving gentle answers back again, and by repaying evil with good, opportunity is given for the Holy Spirit to touch the conscience of the offender: and by so doing, create the state of mind that will seek forgiveness, thereby providing the opportunity for salvation by God's grace.

' ... But I say unto you,
Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you,
and persecute you;
'That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:
for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good,
and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. ... '
(Mat 5:44,5)

* This is loving in deed and in truth isn't it?

In Christ Jesus
Chris

 

[zoii]

'Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves,
but rather give place unto wrath:
for it is written, Vengeance is mine;
I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him;
if he thirst, give him drink:
for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil,
but overcome evil with good.'
(Rom 12:19-21)


Hi JFSurvivor,

I believe that in giving gentle answers back again, and by repaying evil with good, opportunity is given for the Holy Spirit to touch the conscience of the offender: and by so doing, create the state of mind that will seek forgiveness, thereby providing the opportunity for salvation by God's grace.

' ... But I say unto you,
Love your enemies,
bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you,
and persecute you;
'That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven:
for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good,
and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. ... '
(Mat 5:44,5)

* This is loving in deed and in truth isn't it?

In Christ Jesus
Chris

I don't mind paying back evil with good...just not to the person who is evil

 

[SarahM777]

But I just don't think I can do that and Im a bit worried what that means

On our own it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to do so,but with God's help it can be done. He's not asking us to do it on our own. It's the battle between our old nature and the new creation that God has made us. (Been there myself and no it's not easy to love someone who raped,assaulted and tried to kill you a few times)

Sarah,Sarah

Yes Lord

It's time to let it go and forgive him and love him as I loved you

But he hurt me,and I don't want to be hurt that way again.

I know,but I love him too and I want to heal you.

But,but HE HURT ME BADLY

I know he did.

I don't understand,this makes no sense,how can I love him,he hurt me.

My ways are not your ways,and My thoughts are higher then your thoughts.

I can't do it Lord.

Did I ask you to do it on your own?

No

Trust Me and see what I can do.

But it doesn't make any sense. And I'm scared.

I know Sarah. I know your heart and your hurts and pains. I love you and you can't see what it is doing to you. How can you truly live the life I want for you when you keep holding on those chains? Those chains keep holding you back and they will not allow you to be healed.

But I feel safer here.

It's not good for you though. Give it Me and let it go. Take a look at Jesus did He forgive those who beat Him bloody and turned His flesh into hamburger,and pounded spikes into His hands and feet?

Yes.

Am I asking you do anything more then Jesus did?

No

Trust Me and see what I can do.

(Yup been there)

 

[Sirk]

Excessive openness can be a hinderance or a problem in some cases. A military commander who is leading his troops would not be wise to tell his troops of the anxiety he might have in a certain tactic. We see Jesus did not reveal all things even to his disciples. For they did not know of his plan of going to the cross and then rising from the grave. Oh, yes. Jesus told them. But they didn't get it right away.

nobodies saying you should give out your social security number. However, teaching implies that the teacher knows thru experience the subject matter they are conveying. Otherwise there's no meat on them bones.

 

[Sirk]

Okay, seeing I have your permission and okay:

1 John 3:14-15 says,
"He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him."

I like this Jason. You showed that you can see things from another's perspective by asking permission to speak. It conveys humility and empathy and endears you to another. That is connectedness. I'm seeing an ability to be teachable in this post because you changed your tact. Way to go man and I mean that truthfully.

 

[Jason0047]

What does mean when its just not possible to forgive or worse love someone who you hate and who is evil. Is that saying I would be condemed

Matthew 6:15 says
"But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."