43-47"You're familiar with the old written law, 'Love your friend,' and its unwritten companion, 'Hate your enemy.' I'm challenging that. I'm telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer, for then you are working out of your true selves, your God-created selves. This is what God does. He gives his best—the sun to warm and the rain to nourish—to everyone, regardless: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that.
48"In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."
2007-08-22 01:05:22 · 10 answers · asked by I Love Jesus 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
That's right those Scripture that you there are citing are showing that Gods loves all mankind and wants to save all, even those who are against him, so we should follow his example and do the same, and love our enemies. Yes I do follow that advice in the Scriptures but that does not mean that I can do it perfectly, yes it is hard, for I am not perfect, only God and his Son Jesus Christ are perfect, but the main thing here is to try, and no I don't expect a medal, just to please God. That is my reward.
2007-08-22 01:28:25 · answer #1 · answered by I speak Truth 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thats not what the Bible says.
43 “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’[r] and hate your enemy. 44 But I say, love your enemies![s] Pray for those who persecute you! 45 In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. 46 If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. 47 If you are kind only to your friends,[t] how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. 48 But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.
2007-08-22 08:29:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely a hard one to live out, it goes against the grain to love our enemies and those who have wronged us.
It seems fair and natural to want revenge, to hold onto a grudge when we feel mistreated, but Jesus says to us ' No, I want you to be different, to stand out as my followers ' I suppose it's all about grace, I recommend Philip Yanceys book 'What's so Amazing about Grace' to anyone who hasn't read it.
It just shows that when we think we are doing well by loving our friends, God says: you're doing well when you love your enemies, and that is what sets us apart from the rest of humanity.
2007-08-22 08:20:24 · answer #3 · answered by Dan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Friend, Please learn how to read & Understand the bible, We are to love their soul, We don't have to love their lifestyles or the way they live, Jesus also went on to say what does light have to do with darkness, Even the Apostle Paul said if anyone will not receive you with our teachings mark that one & have no fellowship with them. I can go on & On, But we are to love & pray for their soul, & not their lifestyle, Why should I go to a party with a bunch of atheists if I am a Christians, I know there are some good natured atheists out there, am I to run the earth with them all day long, No, But I can pray for their soul. Friend, I say this as humble as I can, I have been a Christian for over 37 yrs. & believe me I have saw my share of people that you just used in these verses dwift away from God because they thought they had to do what they did also, I am one that God kept me away from falling away. I will pray for anyone' soul, rather white, black, red, Muslim, Unbeliever, Make-believer, & I will work on a job with them, I have no problem with that, But will I after work go to a bar with them or run around with them, No, BTW, I am retired now & I have worked with just about every kind of person you can think of. & I treated them fair, But I did not need to run around with them as friends.
2007-08-22 08:29:47 · answer #4 · answered by birdsflies 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes and Yes. I have people come into my life each day that are hard to love. I am reminded of the part of the Lords Prayer that says,"forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us" People who sin against us are usually our enemies, and we are supposed to forgive them? Yes, we are. We have to, or God will not forgive us of our sins.
One of the most remarkable days of my Christian life, was one morning driving to work, where I have to exist among some people who do not know the Lord and seem to cause a lot of strife in my life. The Lord impressed me to pray for each one of them. I named them one by one in my prayer and I asked the Lord to let me forgive them for their transgressions against me. One of those people, legally, through unethical business practices, literally cost me thousands of dollars. I forgave him that day, and I found a joy and peace I had never known before that time.
It is hard to love your enemies, but very rewarding.
2007-08-22 08:21:04 · answer #5 · answered by loufedalis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've only met a few readers of Matthew who take that to heart. That, and Jesus' message about wealth seem to suffer the same fate; they are endlessly "redefined" to mean almost the opposite of what they state.
In any case, when you find folks who behave that way, please send me their particulars. They are sure to be lovely people.
2007-08-22 09:05:48 · answer #6 · answered by JAT 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes it can be hard - but God commands that we do it. I try to love others - even enemies. God is so good! Thanks dear one for the question/answer on this forum!
2007-08-22 08:13:51 · answer #7 · answered by jworks79604 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Another scripture that clarifies why:
"Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.
I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men. "
Denying God's ability to fairly judge those around you, even your enemies, is basically blasphemy.
2007-08-22 08:40:59 · answer #8 · answered by Sir Network 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is the most difficult thing asked of us by God. Which is why we try so hard to achieve it, and often fail.
2007-08-22 08:15:32 · answer #9 · answered by lundstroms2004 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree. It is difficult. Ummm..what version of the bible is this that you are quoting. Strange language. I stick with the KJV. Love in Christ, ~J~
2007-08-22 08:11:46 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋