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NASB | Mark 16:18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Mark 16:18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink anything deadly, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will get well." |
Subject: Lack of Indifference |
Bible Note: Hello zoe, Just want to add some thought to the excellent response you have already received from brother Tim Moran. It may be that your concept of war may be what is most influencing your position. I make that statement based on your choice to refer to the killing in war as "murder". I would agree that many (even my own country's US soldiers as shown in history) use the excuse of war to murder others. But those incidents are murder just the same. So when faced with the question as you present it "How can we murder our enemies and love them?" the simple answer is that we can't. Or at least if we do we are sinning. A more appropriate question (in my opinion) and a more appropriate approach to understanding how God and His word deals with the topic; would be to ask something like, "how can the taking of life in war be considered justified?" When we automatically label it as "murder" we have already lost the ability to consider it as anything else. Murder is justified neither in the OT nor the NT. But the taking of life in response to that one's breaking of certain laws is. The whole idea and arguments that some have made to suggest that the Jesus of the NT is different from the God of the OT just doesn't hold water. The new covenent never has and never will represent a change in God's character. While you continue to consider this topic it might be helpful to ask- how can God allow someone to spend eternity in torment if He loves them? Have in mind the never change characteristics of God while pondering this. Hope this is helpul, Jeff |