Love your neighbors... and your enemies.
By murderistic
@murderistic (2278)
United States
November 10, 2009 10:39pm CST
One of the most profound teachings of Jesus:
Matthew 5:43-48"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies 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. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
I honestly think that as an American, I've truely learned how to love our (as in the USA's) enemies. I've learned to understand conflict from the "enemies" point of view, and have even come to realize that many of our allies are no better than our enemies. I've made friendships with, worked with, and gone to church with the marginalized in our society: homeless, addicts, mentally ill, mentally disabled, transgender... and I have no problem loving my neighbors of the Anabaptist faith. But I've come to realize that I am seriously struggling with actually loving my neighbors in the US. I have serious issues with the ways that Christians are interpreting the words of Jesus and am sick and tired of democrat vs. republican politics. So I find it kind of funny that although I have no problem loving my enemies, it has become so hard to love my neighbors! If you do pray, I ask for your prayers that I will come to understand the hearts of my neighbors and be able to relate to their issues better.
So my question is - how easy is it for you to love your enemies (as in, enemies of your country or ethnic group)? How easy is it for you to love your neighbors? What do you think about this Bible verse... do you think that if we really loved our neighbors, we would go to war against them? I feel that when God said to love your enemies, He probably meant not to kill them.
1 person likes this
19 responses
@murderistic (2278)
• United States
12 Nov 09
I like the name because it's ironic. It's a slang term from the swing era and it doesn't have anything to do with murder.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=murderistic
Along the lines of fantastiwonderific. Swing slang.
Wasn't John Mayer murderistic last night?
@Gordano (795)
• United States
11 Nov 09
Indeed, This is one of the most profound teachings of Jesus, He commanded us to love our enemies, But regarding this verse, I have a Simple Question: Is there any difference between our our enemies and His enemies ? Because i notice that Jesus in Luke 19:27 also said:
But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.
I don't know if there is Difference between our enemies and His enemies, Or do you Think This Verse interlined into the Pure Teachings of Jesus or What ?
What is Your thoughts ?
1 person likes this
@keep_onwatch (2680)
• India
2 Dec 09
Gordano, Love your enemies was a commandment to us, as we have to love each other no matter how the other person is due to the simple reason-" God is not partial and just as he gave life to you and me, he created every other human being". Then coming to the words Jesus said about his enemies, Jesus was not talking about any other human, being his enemy, but Satan and his demons. Its a promise that Christ is going to destroy Satan and his powers and bring them to ruin, which would be an end to all wickedness. Yes, Satan is our enemy also as we follow Christ, but can we? as mere humans defeat such an evil supernatural being? So, let us do what's in our hands and leave the rest to God. Anyways, its easy to hate a person whom is your enemy, but loving that enemy takes courage.
1 person likes this
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
12 Nov 09
Murderistic-
I love your topics because they are so probing! I find that I have finally understood what a nun told me years ago when I was in the 8th grade. She said we love everyone, but we don't have to like them. That's how I live now. I love each and every sentient being, but I don't always befriend those who are so contrary to my beliefs and/or ethics.
Namaste-
Anora
1 person likes this
@murderistic (2278)
• United States
12 Nov 09
Thanks Anora. It is a difficult task to love everyone, but I think that if we can see the image of God in all people that we can move beyond our dislike for them.
@tundeemma (894)
• South Africa
11 Nov 09
it is very hard for most people to love their neighbours these days and in most cases people do not take interest in the affairs of their neighbours again and all they do is establish a competition which they often believe they can be above all others, if we can't love our neighbours, how can we love our enemies
@murderistic (2278)
• United States
12 Nov 09
That's very true... the effects of capitalism and individualism have completely wrecked community life. Most people don't even know their neighbors, let alone love them.
@solared (1207)
• United States
12 Nov 09
I find it fascinating to understand why people do the things they do.
For instance the last executed dictator Sadam Hussein, the reasons why he did the things he did, we are all products of our enviroments mostly, some of are stronger than they enviroment we grew up in, we rose above it.
Well watching the HBO special about Sadam really helped to humanize the man for me, I know liberties were taken, but still seeing how he might have thought about the things he was doing seeing how he believed in his own cause, and how did all the bad things to further his cause that he believed was just.
Also I remember hearing the soldiers who had him captive talking about how he was like a old man, he loved doritos and his hands were always orange and he would get them in his facial hair, this was a true and also humanized him.
As far as loving our enemies mainly those in far east it will never happen, the bible says they will always war with those who don't follow their religion and always conspire against Jesus, and always try to take over Israel, so these things seem preordained.
Hey for talking about loving your neighbors you sure have a interesting screen name...lol
@murderistic (2278)
• United States
12 Nov 09
Wow, thanks for your post. I think humanizing people like Saddam, Hitler, Osama... all of the leaders who have comitted large atrocities, that is really the highest form of loving our enemies. As for hate being preordained, I don't know if I believe that. I think even if it is preordained that we have a responsibility to look at the root causes of that hate - and yes, there are always causes - and if possible, eliminate the causes. The only ones left hating will be the psychopaths.
@petertam52 (8)
• United States
11 Nov 09
Since GOD is infinite glory, we should have no prooblems trusting HIM to punish wrong doers, including me, myself, or the ones we do not fell comfortable about. Thus the best strategy here is to love everone, but secure our own safety from harms from anywhere, including thy neighbor, friends, co-worker, etc. and leave the punishment of wrong doers to GOD. He probably can do a much better job in punishing them than we do!
PCT
http://ForThePeople1.BlogSpot.com/
1 person likes this
@gotcho0O (1257)
• United States
11 Nov 09
I remember my yesterday when a customer got high tempered and she was telling me that she doesn't know what i was doing, blah blah...She acted mad in front of me and the people in line. I felt like I wanna argue with her at the same time I was trying to understand her, thinking maybe she was just tired from work or something. I don't know why customers treated people like me who works behind the counter like that..I wanna shout to all the customers out there that we are just doing our job. And if something happened, it wasn't us, it's the machine. And if all else fails, try to understand and be patient. We don't like it to happen either. Especially when you're beside your daughter and obviously you just acted that wasn't nice and everybody's expecting you to be the role model. Ugh! Anyways, thankfully my guardian angel is always with me.
Oh well, that happens unexpectedly. Just bear in mind, give more than you take, it will always come back to you and the most important one about dealing with your enemies, "Love your enemies, it will drive them crazy", funny but true. I wish people just start having love not war. Godbless everyone ^_~.
@EvanHunter (4026)
• United States
11 Nov 09
I try not to hate anyone, I have been pretty upset over those who I have felt done specific wrong to me, that's where I have had a hard time. As far as hating someone because of politics, ethnicity or because the government says so, I think I have come to realize that our politicians are probably our own worst enemies at times. Anyone can say they are Christian but walking the walk is different than talking it, wolves have always been among the flock.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
11 Nov 09
Hi murderistic, Thank you for a very interesting discussion and you make an excellent point. I too think a lot about that quote and indeed all of Jesus's teachings in the sermon on the mount. I feel that there are no better teachings to be found anywhere. I often think that we pay so little attention to these words. Perhaps, all churches should make it a project that every service for the next year be nothing but the reading of the sermon on the mount, and that they encourage all their followers to read and meditate on it every day. I'm certain that if we truly followed the teachings of Jesus, there would be not only no war, but also no one dying from hunger and no one homeless. Blessings.
1 person likes this
@murderistic (2278)
• United States
12 Nov 09
It's hard for Christians to accept some of these teachings because they are so radical, and I really think that churches are afraid to talk about their true meaning! I remember hearing the turn the other cheek verse at many churches, but NEVER was it related to war. Only to domestic conflict - and even then it would be absurd for a church to apply this verse to rape victims and victims of actual violent crimes; it's only to be taken "metaphorically". If Jesus didn't mean for turning the other cheek about violence, why did he use violence as an example for nonresistance? I do think it's a metaphor; obviously it doesn't just apply to you when someone slaps your cheek. It applies in all violent and oppressive situations directly impacting you. And loving your enemies? Churches teach that you can love your enemies but defend your country. So where does our top allegiance lie as a church? With Jesus or with our country?
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
11 Nov 09
"I've learned to understand conflict from the "enemies" point of view, and have even come to realize that many of our allies are no better than our enemies.But I've come to realize that I am seriously struggling with actually loving my neighbors in the US. So I find it kind of funny that although I have no problem loving my enemies, it has become so hard to love my neighbors!" If you can love your enemies, who you say, are no better than your allies, you should apply the same method you used to understand your enemies, to your allies.
I take a Bible study class taught by a professor from The School of Divinity at the University of the South at Swanee. She has a doctorate in Old Testament Hebrew, speaks and reads it. She says love doesn't mean love as we know it, but rather, "to be loyal." I don't have a problem with that for my neighbors, but I have a hard time getting my mind around it for my enemies. The example of the Samaritan helping someone in need, who just happened to be his enemy, and Jesus teaching in Matthew 5: 41, "And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles," is a help in appreciating the loyal concept. By going the extra mile, not because you have to, but because you choose to, shows you in a different light. It is an act of kindness towards you enemy, and gives you the opportunity to share your faith with him.
As an individual, I have no problem helping neighbor or enemy alike. I don't really know of anyone I consider an enemy. As far as our nation goes, we have every right to defend ourselves from our enemies, but we have also been very good at restoring them afterwards. We are also very good at sending aid to anyone after a disaster. I think we, as a nation, have been loyal to neighbor and enemy alike.
To finish, I am a praying person and will pray that you receive wisdom and understand from God.
1 person likes this
@murderistic (2278)
• United States
11 Nov 09
Thank you for your response and your prayers. My only critique of your response is that it seems your loyalty to your country would have to come before your loyalty to Christ to think that we have a right to defend ourselves against our enemies. As a nation, this may be true, and we certainly can't expect nations to allow themselves to be attacked without defense. But as Christians, shouldn't our loyalty to Christ be above our loyalty to our nations? And don't you think there are ways that fit within scripture that will add to the security of our nations? Jesus was a peacemaker, and His strategy was profound... shock your enemies with love.
@bird123 (10643)
• United States
12 Nov 09
I have no problem loving, friends, enemies or neighbors. Of course, I can't really think of anyone who is my enemy. We are all God's children. Unconditional love is the answer. War can never be considered an act of love. There is always a better way!!
1 person likes this
@Bradpete (822)
• Philippines
13 Nov 09
The greatest deed in life is to love your enemies. I always forgive and foget the sin. Even others starts the sin I always apologies and be friended them in near-far situation. I love to do good things to the people. Charity is the pure love of Christ. Love our fellowmen.
@andy77e (5156)
• United States
13 Nov 09
I would say fairly easy for me. I have many friends that are Muslim, and my closest friend is a little Muslim girl. I've had friends that hated Christianity, and I do alright by them as well. So I don't have a problem loving my neighbors or enemies.
I may have some arguments with some, and I most certainly hope for the salvation of my friends. I would like nothing more than to see them in Heaven.
I certainly haven't gone to war against them. Not even sure I know what that refers to. And undoubtedly I'm against any Christian group that might advocate murder. Obviously they are not very Christian if they support opposing God's laws.
1 person likes this
@Apple3Cranberry (678)
• United States
12 Nov 09
Well there's also a thing that goes like this:
-hey, i can't go meditate in the woods because there's awful things in there-
then you should make friends with the awful things-
I think this is a great commentary and not only on physical delemnas but on the nonphysical as well. For someone who has hallucinations this is good, as well if you have intense feelings. You would think that you should go fight them. But, an alternative is to do inner-work or such.
Things can get so fearful as having the TV talking to you. And this can be blamed on spirits, or the devil, or not appeasing god, or mental illness. Also nonsense is very important and sometimes can rile us up some.
I couldn't imagine loving everybody. But only through a certain lense can I love life I guess.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
18 Nov 09
I don't know if you are aware that the early followers of Christ did not participate in wars.
The book The Early Christian Attitude to War says: “Inasmuch as they [Jesus’ teachings] ruled out as illicit all use of violence and injury against others, clearly implied [was] the illegitimacy of participation in war . . . The early Christians took Jesus at his word, and understood his inculcations of gentleness and non-resistance in their literal sense. They closely identified their religion with peace; they strongly condemned war for the bloodshed which it involved.”
In his book A History of Christianity, Professor K. S. Latourette writes: “One of the issues on which the early Christians were at variance with the Græco-Roman world was participation in war. For the first three centuries no Christian writing which has survived to our time condoned Christian participation in war.”
Edward Gibbon’s work The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire states: “It was impossible that the Christians, without renouncing a more sacred duty, could assume the character of soldiers, of magistrates, or of princes.”
@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
21 Nov 09
This raises an interesting question? If there is no justification for war or hatred in the teachings of Jesus then how many Christians actually exist today?
We don't have to scatch our heads for long since Jesus himself gave the answer.
Matthew 7:13-14 (New International Version)
13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.
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@1hopefulman (45120)
• Canada
21 Nov 09
And thanks for the BR award. Much appreciated!
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@murderistic (2278)
• United States
19 Nov 09
Thank you for this! I haven't done much research on the early church other than what is in Acts (OK, I took a class about the history of the church but I don't remember much from that haha), but it is clear that early Christians took the teachings of Jesus quite literally. So it does not surprise me at all that they took a stance of nonviolence, like Jesus did.
Matthew 19:21
Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
And that's exactly what the early church did.
Acts 2:42-47
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 4:32-37
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.
Joseph, a Levite from Cyprus, whom the apostles called Barnabas (which means Son of Encouragement), sold a field he owned and brought the money and put it at the apostles' feet.
@yanzalong (18987)
• Indonesia
25 Jan 12
I don't think it easy to love your enemies. How can we do it? How can love someone who killed our father, for example? How can we love a group of people who did try to harm us? You are right about what God meant to love your enemies. God doesn't want us to do the same, not to take revenge.
Yes, of course we have to love our neighbours. They are the first persons who can help us when we are in trouble. The question is is it the neibour who lives next to us or perhaps the people living around us at a radius of 1 km are considered neighbours?
@greatsasuke (472)
• United States
11 Nov 09
This is a great discussion. I think loving your neighbors can translate into loving your fellow human being, be they your friends or enemies. It is easy to say, but hard to do. A person must have a great deal of mental purity to follow this teaching correctly, but if done I think its rewards can be had now in this very life. Universal love is what Jesus taught and what we need nowadays. We are all sharing the same planet, so we are all neighbors. It is our personal desires, which makes us enemies sometimes. That is why you see monks of all different religious backgrounds work on controlling and abandoning their personal desires. Let me just post this prayer of ST. Francis, which can articulate what I am trying to say, better than I can.
Lord make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is hatred let me sow love
Where there is injury, pardon
Where there is doubt, faith
Where there is despair, hope
Where there is darkness, light
And where there is sadness, joy
O Divine Master,
Grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console
To be understood, as to understand
To be loved, as to love
For it is in giving that we receive
It is in pardoning, that we are pardoned
And it is in dying, that we are born to Eternal Life.
Amen.
@murderistic (2278)
• United States
12 Nov 09
Thank you for your response and for your prayer from St. Francis... a man who lived out the teachings of Christ in a way that most of us couldn't imagine.
@murderistic (2278)
• United States
11 Nov 09
Yeah, look what happened to Him... He is living eternally in Heaven on the right hand of God.
