Jesus teaches us to love those who hate us. To love and be kind to those who harm us, use us, abuse us, and so on.
Are you capable of this?
Doesn't this run counter so fo much of the human condition?
I can see loving someone who merely hates us from afar. But showing love and kindness to someone who is actively harming me and my loved ones would be very difficult.
How do you do this?
2007-09-05 02:06:14 · 22 answers · asked by Zezo Zeze Zadfrack 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Exactly!! You got it!! It DOES run counter to our human nature.
That's why Holy Baptism and the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit (wisdom, understanding, knowledge, counsel, fortitude, piety and fear of the Lord) are so crucial to being a "new creation" in Christ. We are no longer "part of this world". We are citizens of God's Kingdom. We must forgive. It's a commandment, not a suggestion.
Our ability to do so is "super (above) natural"...
As St. Paul said: "Do not be conformed to the world, but be ye transformed (Greek: Metanoia) by the renewing of your minds..." Romans 12.
2007-09-05 02:12:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, tough love. Sometimes your enemies need a wack upside the head to straighten them out. I don’t know how some Christians got the idea that it’s okay to be doormats. If, for example, I were walking down the street and someone slapped my face, I’d deck ‘em.
What do you do when your kids misbehave? If you’re a good parent, you discipline them (spare the rod and spoil the child) ... or they’ll run all over you.
Are God's children suppose to be double-minded wimps? No! But, don't take my word for it ... check it out in His Word.
Was Christ a double-minded wimp? How about Moses, Paul, John The Baptist, or the prophets?
And, if you think Christ was a total pacifist, read John 2:14-16. There you'll discover that He took a cat-o-nine tales and used it on the money changers. Christ cut the pattern for you. How you doing?
The Word also tells Christians to be strong and of good courage.
2007-09-05 02:27:25 · answer #2 · answered by David G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is the GOAL. Of course it's difficult because it goes against the grain. Jesus is not talking about our personal love He is challenging us to Love them through faith that God will work it out. Even psychologists agree that if you hang on to revenge and hate it will eventually erode your health so not only does it help defuse some incidents it also contributes to a healthy mind and body. Of course you probably shouldn't start off with the most difficult case because you'll probably shoot yourself in the foot. One thing we CAN do in any case and that's pray that the Lord will touch our enemies heart, now that would be a win win.
2007-09-05 02:36:49 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I love those who hate me. The bible says no sin will enter into heaven and hate is a sin. Love those as I have loved you. And look what Jesus been through? If Jesus can forgive then my pain is not greater than his.
So many atheist on here that are haters and say mean things...I am still on here spreading the word and trying to help :) God Bless
2007-09-05 02:17:40 · answer #4 · answered by shannon 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The bible says 5:43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor[h] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies[i] and pray for those who persecute you, 45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. However I agree it would be hard to show love to people that hurt my family or who hurt others in horrendous ways but that is what it is to be human. We don't always do what is asked of us and that is why Jesus came and lived and died on a cross for the forgiveness of our sins. No one has ever walked on earth who is or was perfect except Jesus Christ.
2007-09-05 02:17:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's hard. At least as a newer Christian.
As I grow older with Christ he has changed me. I see people differently than I used to. I used to get mad when people were abusive to me (still at times do) but I control my anger and think, "who or what made this person so mean? Who was mean to them?" It puts people in a different light.
Also Jesus was persecuted and his disciples rejoiced when they were also.
Easy? No, but easier with Jesus. Also the bible says when we are kind to those who hate us it's like dumping hot coals on their heads! I once had a problem with a co-worker, she was very nasty and mean. I did something nice for her (After loosing my temper) and I watched her without her knowing. She was SHOCKED! We then got along.
†
2007-09-05 02:19:07 · answer #6 · answered by Jeanmarie 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You do this with ALOT of prayer. I am going through something like this now. I do get upset at these 2 women but when I feel any dislike for them come in I began to pray and to ask God to take the feeling out of my heart. I try to think of the things that they are doing from their point of view and I try to see what they are feeling. Basically my fiance's ex-wife and his ex-girlfriend have gotten together because "the enemy of my enemy is my friend". And right now I'm the enemy. But the bible says, "If a man's ways please the Lord He will make even his enemies to be at peace with him". So I pray and keep hate and anger out of my heart at what they are doing. I don't "return evil for evil", and I wait with patience for the day when God handles it.
2007-09-05 02:17:25 · answer #7 · answered by kristin747 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Which Christian is righteous? who're doing as Jesus completed? The oldest Greek Bible says Jesus replaced right into a servant of God, his followers called him grasp, his 0.5 brother pronounced each physique is going off track yet people who persist with the practices of Jesus are on the ceremony direction, who has a beard and sandals and long gown like Jesus recently? Which faith is hated and ridiculed on television and in public? How did Jesus worship God,... And he went a sprint extra and fell upon his face and prayed Matthew 26:39. Who placed their faces on the floor and worship God? If Jesus replaced into God how did he worship God?
2016-10-04 00:42:36 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's what the scriptures teach us. HOWEVER, I usually ignore the people who hate me, screw with the minds of the people who try and mess with me, and go all "blowtorch and pliers" on those who actively try to persecute and harm me. Apparently, I'm just a mediocre christian. Oops, my bad....
2007-09-05 02:20:58 · answer #9 · answered by badkitty1969 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, I do love everyone and yes it is hard to love those who choose to harm us. Sometimes it is neccessary to stop the evil in others. For those who preach the seperation of church and state,,,this shouldn't be a problem. For me, I try to love others, regardless of who they are, with the love that Christ portrayed.
2007-09-05 02:20:16 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋