How can I love my enemy when the latter mercilessly kills my people?

Question

I am a christian from lebanon. I have always learned to love and tolerate others, to forgive and forget and have always done so even though it is a very hard way.
But today, Israel has killed in such savagery a multitude of people of my country. It has attacked the sovreignty of my nation, my family and friends are there, caught in the middle of a war that they have nothing to do with it.
How can i ever find it in myself not to hate the israelis? they have told countless lies to people, have killed many innocent children and women and other civilians. they have lied to the media endlessly by telling them that they care for civilians, but in the same time, bomb card with kids in it, bomb a building with tons of children and women in it. they ask people to leave the south and sound good on the media, but behind the media's back, bomb all bridges and roads, thus blocking the poor civilians, and then bomb the village. How can i not hate them? How can i not see them other than savages?

Answer 1

Because God loved you when you were a sinner. Romans 5:6-8 states this:

6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

You see, somebody might have had the heart to die for, say, Mother Teresa if somebody put a gun to her head and gave the option of somebody else dying in her place. But say that a criminal who has done a very horrible crime (say, killing your parents, which is a horrible thing for you). Nobody would die in that place for the criminal.

But look back at what God did for us. He died even when we had rebelled against him and sinned. We, being very un-lovely creatures, did not deserve love from God, but He gave it to us regardless of that fact.

I know it is very difficult to practice this in your life, and I struggle with it personally. But Jesus told us to love others as He has loved us. Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you daily to love your enemies, as we all will fail if we try to love on our own. I hope this helps.

Answer 2

The Jews in Israel are lacking the Holy Spirit. We have to remember that. The things that are happening in Israel and Lebanon are precursors to what is to come. Israel will come into "false peace" and then will nearly be annihilated. It will be then that they FINALLY believe in the Messiah.....at least those that remain alive at this time. (Rom 11:26)

The fact that Lebanon civilians are being caught in the middle of all this is tragic. As a Christian I think we should desperately pray for the safety and certainly the salvation of the Lebanese civilians. However, it is hard to "hate" Israel since everything that is going on over there is following Bible prophecies. Do they have "free will"? Yes, and they have not chosen wisely. But, they are still God's people AND Christ WILL return and rule in Jerusalem.

Answer 3

Well, you have to look at the full picture, first of all.
First off, Israel is not intentionally attacking Lebanon, they are attacking Hezbollah, the militant nation that is busy chucking rockets into Israel, killing their civilians.
Secondly, your own goverment couldn't force Hezbollah to go home, and give up on it's Iran-aided hate, so tey bear a lot of blame.
Also, don't forget to give Hezbollah a double cup....if they hide among civilians, they not only show they are cowards...but as well, they initiated this action, by attacking israel, and hoping the world wouldn't care.
Well, Israel responded....to protect their own, their country, and most importantly, to make sure it doesn't happen again.
I'd pray to God, to ask for a strong spirit, and wisdom, to see through the lies the Hezbollah is using, to get kids killed in the name of a false prophet....and as well, the butchers in Syria, who don't fight, but talk a lot, doing nothing....if the Hezbollah were so brave, why dont' you see their leaders on the front line?
Because....they are afraid, of going to hell when they die...which is probably where they will head.
I can imagine it's pretty ugly where you're settled....Why didn't you join the refugees, or move out of Lebanon when things were good?

Answer 4

The Israelis are brainwashed by their government, like so many Americans are by the Bush administration. The Israeli people themselves are not the ones to blame, but I understand your feelings about the Israeli government. Some of things they have done are inexcusable under any circumstances. They can't seem to decide whether (a) they are intentionally targeting civilian-populated areas or (b) if their military is just so inept it can't hit the right targets. From one side of their mouths they say they have to go in to the civilian areas but from the other side they say they've made "errors" -- like killing four UN observers after being told repeatedly of the many close calls that day. The Israeli government has disgraced their country and their people, and history will not remember them kindly for what they have done.

I am so sorry for what you and your countrymen are going through. I cry every time I watch the news and see the senseless brutality.

Answer 5

You cannot love them with the emotion; they broke your heart, it doesn't work. You can love them with the verb, if the oppurtunity to arrises. I'm sure if you were to see a Jewish child in danger you would instinctively jump in and help that child out. That would be the only way in which you could love them and I'm sure that's all G-d would ever expect of you. Every time I see a broken child my heart breaks.
You know how in American law the president must be born in the U.S., I'd like to see a new law made and made throughout the world where only mothers can be presidents and world leaders. I believe mothers would love everyone and govern with justice. There are good men, but I just find power seems to destroy some of them. Men have been in power forever I'd really like to see if having women in power would make a difference. I think women's brains are wired differently and that it would. Sorry, I know I'm being very controversial in my opinion.

Answer 6

Brother, I understand your concern. However, the actions of our brothers and sisters can only fall on their heads. Remember we are all part of the human race. We may not like what some irresponsible brothers and sisters do but we must continue to love despite our emotions. Forgive and look to the future..Remember what you sow, is what you reap. I live in the US and disagree with Isreal and this holy land nonsense. We are missing the fact we should be worshipping not arguing over stones. It like worship Idols. I disagree with US giving Isreal our amor to fight this unneccessary conflict. So remember that this is a government issue(agenda) where people like u and me have no power...It childish,,,the killing of brothers and sisters for any gain other then the benefit of humanity....but, remember God has a plan....U may not understand it, but he does have a plan...So go about your daily life and remember that many all over the world are with u...loving u...

Answer 7

If you truly are an imitator of Jesus Christ(the truest definition of Christian) you will like him hate all sin but love all sinners. No sin is worse than any other in the eyes of God, though they may seem to be in our human eyes and I feel truly sorry for you to have witnessed first hand such atrocious events. Our faith is tested in so many ways that we don't understand. Our faith also can sustain us through the vilest and cruelst trials. Please don't give up on God-He will never give up on you.

Answer 8

hating will make you just as guilty as they are.

The emotion behind loving your enemy is to teach us to be humble and grateful that at least we have the choice to love instead of hate.

We concentrate too much on the negative and what is not right.

Mother Theresa once said to a person that asked her to attend a demonstration against war " I would not attend a demonstration against war, but if you have one Pro Peace, I'll there".

Answer 9

yes blame the goverment, and the powers that make it happen including hizbollah, they have provoked it.
forgiveness is the only answer or we get caught up in an endless cycle of revenge. what ellse can you do? two wrongs dont make a right! fight the power peacefully.

Answer 10

This Love is only possible if you have the Spirit of Christ in you ask The Holy Spirit to fill you with this love because we can not do it on our own Greater is he that is in us than he who is in the world.