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NASB | Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 5:44 "But I say to you, love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [Prov 25:21, 22] |
Bible Question:
Why are Christians so scared to denounce militant Islam? I received a commentary about Islam needing denouncing, esp by Muslims if they think what the militants do is wrong and received varying responses but usually went like this: Islam must be fought, not with weapons of war, but with the weapons of righteousness that we carry in the right hand and the left. Love thy enemy. Feed him, and bring burning coals upon his head. These people are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. *** If these people are slamming planes into bldgs, killing innocents children, etc, we are supposed to love and feed them instead of going to war against them? I don't seriously think saying I love you, Jesus loves you, let's share a hotdog is going to stop the killings, which is what must be stopped. We're not talking individual reachout, this is more on widespread govt basis. What am I missing here??? |
Bible Answer: Greetings Norrie! If you check my past posts concerning war, you will find that I am certainly not opposed to a just war. However, Scripture is quite clear about the response that we are believers are commanded to give to those who hate us. Mt. 5:44 - "But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that 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." Rom. 12:14 - "Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse." Rom. 12:20 - "On the contrary: 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.'" Rom. 12:21 - "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." 1 Cor. 4:12 - "We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; 13 when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Up to this moment we have become the scum of the earth, the refuse of the world." 1 Peter 3:9 - "Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." So, while the government may have to fight to protect us, Christians are certainly commanded to love our enemies. So, even if we have to fight an enemy for self protection, we still have an obligation to love our enemy. As the above verses demonstrate, this would certainly include acts of love. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |