AEIOU - Loving your enemies
Jesus said some "very harsh" words which would "offend" many American Christians.
"Why do you call me good? ... Go sell all your possessions & give to the poor. ... The pagans (nations/ethnics) go after such things. ... The sons of the Kingdom will be cast out. ... Those who live by the sword will die by the sword. ... You will be hated by all nations because of me. ... If he remains until I come, what is that to you? ... Love your enemy."
Perhaps some will grow angry at reading the "Secrets" of the Quran. I have no doubt. So we must pray for wisdom as we look for ways to build bridges to peace. How can we help believers in the USA walk in peace with their neighbors, even loving them & weeping with them?
How do you "teach" people to obey the command to "Love your enemy?" Does anyone have stories of Americans whose hearts are being changed? Does anyone have Scriptures which are helping them? Any of you have testimonies? What are you doing that is effectively leading people to perfection / maturity?
For me, it was actually a very painful realization in the early 1990's that the people I had grown up among was turning further from the truth and holding to a form of godliness that denied the real power. As I dealt with this reality (i.e. a leaving of our first love), I came to see that I had no choice: for me to continue to be satisfied with Jesus means that I had to love my enemy. I must be willing to suffer in order to find joy.
Honestly, it was the most painful thing that I ever faced. Yet also the most freeing.
"We hold this treasure in earthen vessels. ... Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone."
Crack. The old shell breaks, and life is set free.
Those that choose not to humble themselves under God's mighty hand, choose to remain alone. Cold. Bound to the familiar rather than freed to worship, to follow.
Peace,
Mert
"Many are called, few are chosen." - Jesus
"Make your calling & chosenness sure." - Peter
"Why do you call me good? ... Go sell all your possessions & give to the poor. ... The pagans (nations/ethnics) go after such things. ... The sons of the Kingdom will be cast out. ... Those who live by the sword will die by the sword. ... You will be hated by all nations because of me. ... If he remains until I come, what is that to you? ... Love your enemy."
Perhaps some will grow angry at reading the "Secrets" of the Quran. I have no doubt. So we must pray for wisdom as we look for ways to build bridges to peace. How can we help believers in the USA walk in peace with their neighbors, even loving them & weeping with them?
How do you "teach" people to obey the command to "Love your enemy?" Does anyone have stories of Americans whose hearts are being changed? Does anyone have Scriptures which are helping them? Any of you have testimonies? What are you doing that is effectively leading people to perfection / maturity?
For me, it was actually a very painful realization in the early 1990's that the people I had grown up among was turning further from the truth and holding to a form of godliness that denied the real power. As I dealt with this reality (i.e. a leaving of our first love), I came to see that I had no choice: for me to continue to be satisfied with Jesus means that I had to love my enemy. I must be willing to suffer in order to find joy.
Honestly, it was the most painful thing that I ever faced. Yet also the most freeing.
"We hold this treasure in earthen vessels. ... Unless a grain of wheat falls to the earth and dies, it remains alone."
Crack. The old shell breaks, and life is set free.
Those that choose not to humble themselves under God's mighty hand, choose to remain alone. Cold. Bound to the familiar rather than freed to worship, to follow.
Peace,
Mert
"Many are called, few are chosen." - Jesus
"Make your calling & chosenness sure." - Peter
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