Hello everyone.....
Instead of making replies to every post, I will just make one more to make this clear........(as in a 2nd admonition)
Tit 3:10 A man that is a heretic after the first and second admonition reject;
Tit 3:11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.
Loving your enemies is cut and dry, as are all of Christ's commandments.
There is no room for negotiation on these words of Christ!
These words mean nothing to the many called and all the unbelievers in this world. The reason being is because they are spiritual words.
1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
These people of the world hate God and His word.
Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
God works all things according to the counsel of His will, which means His will is done in every persons life, whether they are His Elect, many called or still in unbelief.
Rom 9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
Mat 13:15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
God ordains these leaders to do His will, but that does not mean that He lives inside of them.
2Jo 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
Our cares are not of this world, but of spiritual things!
Mat 15:14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Mat 8:22 But Jesus said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
These leaders in authority, being either of the church or state, are the Pharisees of today. Christ submitted to these authorities, only when it didn't conflict with His law........as in the Sabbath......etc...
It is the same for us today.
We, as in the true followers of Christ and His doctrine have a higher standard of law that we are to obey without exception. We should never give in to the killing of anyone, be it in war....death penalty....etc.
Loving our enemies means LOVING OUR ENEMIES........NO EXCEPTION.
For everyone quoting the old law and using it as support for the killing of human life..........
We are not under the law of Moses anymore and the things that happen back then were the law.
We are under new law.....the LAW OF CHRIST and all of those that lived before Christ did not receive the promises of grace.
Heb 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
There will always be wars and killing in this age, but for the true followers of Christ, we are not to approve or contribute to these things.
Christ's law is not for the many called and unbelievers. To be an overcomer, we must adhere to the spiritual law.
Someone brought up this scripture......
Luk 22:36 Then said he unto them, But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.
Luk 22:37 For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end.
Luk 22:38 And they said, Lord, behold, here are two swords. And he said unto them, It is enough.
These words are spiritual, not physical.
Joh 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.
Mar 4:13 And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?
Everything Christ taught was spiritual, and this is no exception.
Here is another translation from the GNB
Luk 22:38 The disciples said, "Look! Here are two swords, Lord!" "That is enough!" he replied.
I believe Jesus reprimanded them as saying ENOUGH OF THAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They couldn't see what Christ was saying anymore than that of the parables. Just like when Christ told Peter.....get thee behind me Satan.
Mat 16:23.
But, even if we look at this in the literal (physical sense), why would Jesus say "It is enough" when there were more than two disciples there and they only had two swords? Jesus said this at the Last Supper when all were present!
This sword is a spiritual one. Notice the reference to the buying and selling here. Sell your cloak.......buy a sword. The sword is THE TRUTH, and the disciples knew what Christ meant when He opened up to them..the scriptures.
Read this e-mail that Mike wrote on the subject!
http://www.*not-allowed*.com/takingarms.php
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Yellowstone,
I'm not here to pick on you, but I have to address the scripture you keep refering to......
Lets look at scripture surrounding this verse you keep bringing up.
1Jo 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
1Jo 3:11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
1Jo 3:12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
1Jo 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
1Jo 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
1Jo 3:15
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 1Jo 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
1Jo 3:17 But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
1Jo 3:18 My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
What John is saying here is what Christ told us!
We are to LOVE everyone, including helping our fellow man by having compassion for them, even though God has blinded their hearts.
We know that we have passed from death unto life when we can love our brother (neighbor) as we love ourselves.
The laying down our lives for our brother is not a reason to go against the Law of Christ, but it is our duty to stand for the TRUTH. That's what we give our lives for.............just as it is with the shadow and type of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in Daniel.
This is the spiritual warfare I am talking about. Not some physical war.
All of these political people running this country are already dead, but God is using them for His ultimate purpose, just like our military.
My only concern in this age is to love my brother, and that means everyone in this entire world, but I don't let them into my spiritual house and entertain their heresy.
So I post these scriptures again to all who support retaliation of terrorism and war!
2Jo 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
2Jo 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him Godspeed:
2Jo 1:11 For he that biddeth him Godspeed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Love your enemies and obey the doctrine of Christ!
In Christ,
Alan