Love thy neighbor/enemies?

[Josephine2006]

Hi Brothers and Sisters!
I am hoping that someone will be able to help me with this question;
We are asked to love thy neighbour in the 10 commandments.
Does that mean we have to love our enemies (people who hurt us deliberately)?
Thanks guys.

 

[Hekuran]

The answer to this is very simple and very difficult.

Jesua words in Matthew 5:43-45

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.

 

[Josephine2006]

The answer to this is very simple and very difficult.

Jesua words in Matthew 5:43-45

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.

Hi Hekuran!
So does that mean we have to be cheerful and nice in their company and pretend that nothings wrong or just be polite?
I can forgive and pray for them. I'm just struggling with the face to face situations?

 

[Hekuran]

British stiff upper lip politeness is definitely not the answer. I don't see Jesus putting much effort into being nice so as not to cause a scene.

If you have forgiven the person and are praying for them, those are both actions in step with loving your enemy.

Matthew 18 has Jesus teaching on how to deal with someone who sins against you.

I think the options boil down to
1. Confront the situation by addressing the way the person has harmed you.
2. Confront the situation with a gesture of peace.
3. Withdraw from the person.

I'll find the Bible reference if need be. Jesus himself did not speak to Herod when he had the chance. It was Herod that killed John the Baptist, and maybe Jesus decided not to waste his breath.

I don't know your situation, so hesitant to give anything that looks like advice

Blessings

 

[Trevor]

The first question to ask, Josephine, is 'who is my enemy' Our enemy is one who 'means us harm,' not just a friend with whom we have had a disagreement and hurt is involved. The former, it is wise to avoid, and the agape love we are called to extend, is the forgiveness that releases us from bitterness, the understanding that, whoever wishes us harm, inevitably is a damaged person who deserves pity rather than vengence and the knowledge that if our enemy was in need, we would meet that need. The altercation with a friend has a filial love that normaly overcomes.

 

[Josephine2006]

British stiff upper lip politeness is definitely not the answer. I don't see Jesus putting much effort into being nice so as not to cause a scene.

If you have forgiven the person and are praying for them, those are both actions in step with loving your enemy.

Matthew 18 has Jesus teaching on how to deal with someone who sins against you.

I think the options boil down to
1. Confront the situation by addressing the way the person has harmed you.
2. Confront the situation with a gesture of peace.
3. Withdraw from the person.

I'll find the Bible reference if need be. Jesus himself did not speak to Herod when he had the chance. It was Herod that killed John the Baptist, and maybe Jesus decided not to waste his breath.

I don't know your situation, so hesitant to give anything that looks like advice

Blessings

Thank you Hekuran, that advice has helped.
Blessings brother

 

[Andyindauk]

Hi Josephine, I think that Jesus's advice on this subject, like many others, is really easy to understand but really difficult to follow. It's totally counterintuitive. His advice is clear and unequivocal in the verses Herkuran quoted but especially in the parable of the good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37.

Don't you just hate it when politicians give us advice, regulations and laws and then down the line they're found to be one of the worst offenders? Well you can trust Jesus in that He follows His own advice -
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6‭-‬8 NKJV

God wants you to face down your enemies and confidently reach out to them with gestures of love. That takes a lot of humility and downright brazen guts. Yes, Jesus's advice is clear -
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Matthew 5:46‭-‬47 NKJV

When I say it's hard to follow, for that God has given us His Holy Spirit to give us that confidence and wisdom to handle the situation well. Pray for that filling and help. What's in it for me? Take a look at that last verse in Matthew ch. 5.

Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48 NKJV

You might find Beetow's sermons on this interesting About Love

 

[Josephine2006]

The first question to ask, Josephine, is 'who is my enemy' Our enemy is one who 'means us harm,' not just a friend with whom we have had a disagreement and hurt is involved. The former, it is wise to avoid, and the agape love we are called to extend, is the forgiveness that releases us from bitterness, the understanding that, whoever wishes us harm, inevitably is a damaged person who deserves pity rather than vengence and the knowledge that if our enemy was in need, we would meet that need. The altercation with a friend has a filial love that normaly overcomes.

Thank you Trevor,
I asked God while I was out walking the dog and he said to me; be kind, forgive and pray.
So I will try to love as God The Father would love. And avoid any face to face interaction. To forgive them and pity them to release myself from the bitterness.
Blessings brother.

 

[Josephine2006]

Hi Josephine, I think that Jesus's advice on this subject, like many others, is really easy to understand but really difficult to follow. It's totally counterintuitive. His advice is clear and unequivocal in the verses Herkuran quoted but especially in the parable of the good Samaritan Luke 10:25-37.

Don't you just hate it when politicians give us advice, regulations and laws and then down the line they're found to be one of the worst offenders? Well you can trust Jesus in that He follows His own advice -
For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6‭-‬8 NKJV

God wants you to face down your enemies and confidently reach out to them with gestures of love. That takes a lot of humility and downright brazen guts. Yes, Jesus's advice is clear -
For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Matthew 5:46‭-‬47 NKJV

When I say it's hard to follow, for that God has given us His Holy Spirit to give us that confidence and wisdom to handle the situation well. Pray for that filling and help. What's in it for me? Take a look at that last verse in Matthew ch. 5.

Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48 NKJV

You might find Beetow's sermons on this interesting About Love

Thank you Andyindauk,
I appreciate your extensive advice and will contemplate the scripture you have quoted.
I have a massive headache so I have to go now.
Thank you again