Loving your enemies

[Jason0047]

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.

I see God working in my life as precious pearls. Surely one does not cast their pearls before those who will not appreciate it. For if you are not convinced by my quoting God's Word, then surely you will not be convinced by my life experiences with God.

 

[Danacovert82]

Yeah, I was. So what? I know I'm weird and annoying at times. I'm trying. Seriously I'm trying to not be that way.

 

[Jason0047]

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.

Wherein can you find a post whereby I showed hate towards someone? Where did I not show mercy? I quote God’s Word and what it says. Some people take offense to God’s Word because they don't want to hear certain parts of it. God's grace and mercy does not cover ongoing rebellion in the present moment. One has to confess their sins (1 John 1:9) and forsake them (1 John 1:7).

 

[Willie-T]

Yeah, I was. So what? I know I'm weird and annoying at times. I'm trying. Seriously I'm trying to not be that way.

I don't go for a lot you say, but I think you are a refreshing breath of genuine thought in here.

 

[Danacovert82]

I don't go for a lot you say, but I think you are a refreshing breath of genuine thought in here.

Thanks. I'm just trying to do what He's leading me to do.

 

[Jason0047]

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

Think of it more in terms of what a firefighter does. What does he use to put out fire most times? The opposite element, which is water. Paul says be not overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Meaning, God will take care of any injustice while you show forth the love of Christ so as to destroy the works of the devil.

 

[Sirk]

Yeah, I was. So what? I know I'm weird and annoying at times. I'm trying. Seriously I'm trying to not be that way.

Humility is the beginning of wisdom.

Proverbs 15:23 Wisdom's instruction is to fear the LORD, and humility comes before honor.

 

[Jason0047]

Others think love is tough. So that means you can beat somebody up with their words. But is this loving one's enemy? What example did Jesus show and Stephen? 1 John 3:16 is at the heart of what we should be always striving to do by the grace of God. For such is at the heart of the love of God.

1 John 3:16
"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."

 

[JFSurvivor]

Others think love is tough. So that means you can beat somebody up with their words. But is this loving one's enemy? What example did Jesus show and Stephen? 1 John 3:16 is at the heart of what we should be always striving to do by the grace of God. For such is at the heart of the love of God.

1 John 3:16
"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."

So we should lay down our lives for our enemies because when we were enemies of God, He laid down his life for us? Is that what you are saying?

 

[Sirk]

Others think love is tough. So that means you can beat somebody up with their words. But is this loving one's enemy? What example did Jesus show and Stephen? 1 John 3:16 is at the heart of what we should be always striving to do by the grace of God. For such is at the heart of the love of God.

1 John 3:16
"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."

Sometimes love IS tough......as evidenced by the cross.

 

[CeileDe]

Yeah, I was. So what? I know I'm weird and annoying at times. I'm trying. Seriously I'm trying to not be that way.

If this was directed at my question to you, I wasn't trying to attack you. I just remember your name from CFS and enjoyed your outlook on things. Why is everyone so defensive on this forum? A few of us actually missed you on CFS.

 

[Danacovert82]

If this was directed at my question to you, I wasn't trying to attack you. I just remember your name from CFS and enjoyed your outlook on things. Why is everyone so defensive on this forum? A few of us actually missed you on CFS.

Im sorry. I believe the defensiveness comes from people ATTACKING, yes, I said, attacking Jason. I'm glad you guys missed me. I try to give a good spin on life.

 

[TheMouse]

The love your enemies passage is one of my favorite passages, because in a few small verses it tells me what God's heart is like. So it reassures me that even though I have been selfish and bad and sinned, I can still go to God and find forgiveness and love. It speaks to me about who God is. It also points out to me that in myself I am often not like Him.
His motives are pure and perfect as proven by His love towards those who hurt Him(I believe that Jesus is God). Often our motives for kindness are based on some form of attractiveness in the recipient, and so they are selfish and mercenary. But God is not like that.He cares about how you feel no matter if you are the ugliest, evilest person in the world.Referring to evil. The bible does say very clearly that it does exist. As God is loving He is also distressed by the harm evil does. If people do not go to him for His solution,His forgiveness in Jesus (His Saviour),then they must eventually be dealt with by His judgement.
I noticed you are quite young, 20 years of age, and as such you may not be aware of how evil the world is.Can I suggest that you read some history, if that would interest you. I have found the most digestible way to do this is to read historically based novels written by authors who know their stuff eg professors or researchers.These make fascinating reading and can open your eyes to how brutal most of human history has been.

 

[MarcR]

Jason loves those who persecutes him better then any one on this board

Paul said the one born after the Spirit (as well as the one that will live Godly in Christ) is the one that will be persecuted

I don't see people persecuting Jason. I ignore him. The alternative is responding to his error.

If his error was allowed to go unchallenged, that would be tacit acceptance of his error.

Most of us recognize that he is sincere; but that does NOT make him less wrong.

 

[zoii]

The love your enemies passage is one of my favorite passages, because in a few small verses it tells me what God's heart is like. So it reassures me that even though I have been selfish and bad and sinned, I can still go to God and find forgiveness and love. It speaks to me about who God is. It also points out to me that in myself I am often not like Him.
His motives are pure and perfect as proven by His love towards those who hurt Him(I believe that Jesus is God). Often our motives for kindness are based on some form of attractiveness in the recipient, and so they are selfish and mercenary. But God is not like that.He cares about how you feel no matter if you are the ugliest, evilest person in the world.Referring to evil. The bible does say very clearly that it does exist. As God is loving He is also distressed by the harm evil does. If people do not go to him for His solution,His forgiveness in Jesus (His Saviour),then they must eventually be dealt with by His judgement.
I noticed you are quite young, 20 years of age, and as such you may not be aware of how evil the world is.Can I suggest that you read some history, if that would interest you. I have found the most digestible way to do this is to read historically based novels written by authors who know their stuff eg professors or researchers.These make fascinating reading and can open your eyes to how brutal most of human history has been.

You don't have to be 60 or even 16 to know how evil people can be.

 

[MarcR]

You might want some Bactine, because I think I may be about to rub you the wrong way again. lol

I disagree. I think there can be love without forgiveness. Like you said on the other thread, there is something to talking it out before even asking about the forgiveness part, but that's also a two-way street. What if the other person wronged you, you go to her, try to get it straightened out but she wants nothing to do with asking for forgiveness, because she did nothing wrong? (And this is after talking it out, before getting to the point of asking.) Sure, there is a solution to that, if the person is a Christian. (Get two others to join you and try again. And, if that doesn't work, bring the sis to the church and talk it out there. And, if that doesn't work, the sis is no longer a sis, but is to be treated as someone who needs God.) BUT, what if the person isn't a Christian?

Do you think that person should be forgiven anyway, just because? I don't. I haven't seen any scripture that bears that out. AND, that's not to say we don't need to love the person, but there's a distinct difference between love and forgive. Even God expects a confession from us before he forgives us, and he doesn't forgive just anybody, or every single person would be saved.

I could be wrong. Maybe I missed something in the Bible, but I have loved without forgiving, and in that love anger, sourpuss, and the making of Gollum, (LoTR Gollum, since I think he gets his name from a word in the Bible), is adverted, but not through forgiveness.

I've never forgiven the guys who raped me. Never had the chance to talk to them about it, and wouldn't have taken the chance if I had, (unless a couple of sharp shooters were my bodyguards lol), but I have prayed to see them again in heaven, through the same mercy God gave me. That is love, or the best I can do for love considering the obvious.

In like kind I've loved bros who did me wrong, but wouldn't recognize it was wrong to get to the point of freely giving forgiveness. I still consider them bros, still love them, just haven't forgiven them.

Lynn,

You need not like them or spend time with them; but you must forgive them: for your sake---NOT FOR THEIRS.

Mt 6:14-15
14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
KJV

 

[DesiredHaven]

I don't see people persecuting Jason. I ignore him. The alternative is responding to his error.

If his error was allowed to go unchallenged, that would be tacit acceptance of his error.

Most of us recognize that he is sincere; but that does NOT make him less wrong.

There is nothing wrong with adressing error Jesus did that, Jesus didnt do the rest of whats done here the pharisees did that

 

[Sirk]

There is nothing wrong with adressing error Jesus did that, Jesus didnt do the rest of whats done here the pharisees did that

Imagine what people thought when Jesus told them that they unless they hated their family they couldn't follow him....but I bet it sure got their attention. Jason got off his porch and came here and put his beliefs forward in a Jesus and God belong only to me kind of way. He's handled himself pretty well and is showing a side that is teachable. Your peanut gallery comments have no eternal value here. You need to grow up.

 

[DesiredHaven]

Im just not seeing that, and also every time he is accused of saying something he will correct and say he didnt say that and then pages down the road the same accusation comes up again and again, Jesus didnt do that.

 

[Jeff_56]

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

'believing' in osas or not might not make any difference at all whether a person is saved or not.

they can believe in it all day and night,
or not believe in it all day and night,

and still not be saved ever.


remember, the huge portion(great majority) of men on earth never get saved - over 2 billion automatically* lost just in the heresy.

*everyone in the rcc is known to be lost already, but there is a chance one or a few might still be saved if they turn to jesus.