Love your Enemy

[Species8472]

John: 14:30: The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

Does a Christian love the devil? If you ask this question then their answer would most likely be, No—followed by a fiery statement such as; Burn in hell devil.
Is this the kind of disposition that Christ desires? If one were to reflect upon His words then one could conclude, No—that such a disposition turns a Christian into confusion—that perhaps, love is inclusive even to a malign spirit or better yet, an omni malevolent being (which could be associated with the devil).

Support for such a philosophy can be found within the contents of scripture. For example;

Luke: 6:27: But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28: Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29: And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other…

Matthew: 18:21: Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?
22: Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

I can foretell that the natural Christian response would be, Well, the devil isn’t my brother.
In the devil’s defense I would then reply, Do you believe that the angels are your brethren? Naturally their response would be, Yes!
I would then say, Did not Christ who set upon those on his right hand and upon his left hand, call “them” brethren? (As so it says in scripture).
…Then the devil is your brother.
If the devil is your brother and if you abide in Christ’s love then should you not love the devil?

The Lord has no pleasure in death or in the death of them that falleth to sin.

Remember when the spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan, of which we call the Great tempter?
Is there anywhere in scripture where Christ curses the devil. No, however he may have rebuked him.

1 John: 2:9: He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
1 John: 2:10: He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
1 John: 2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

1 John: 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.
1 John: 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.
1 John: 3:15: Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

 

[ReluctantProphet]

sorry, doubled post.

 

[ReluctantProphet]

An Angel is NOT my brother. Where did you get that idea?

Is the Devil a brother, neighbor, or fellow man? Emm.. sorry, NO!

 

[Species8472]

An Angel is NOT my brother. Where did you get that idea?

Is the Devil a brother, neighbor, or fellow man? Emm.. sorry, NO!

Luke: 20:36:
Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

Are not the angels the children of God? And if after death man becomes equal to the angels and as the children of God then does that not make the angels brethren unto men? And in life why are not the angels brethren if it is inevitable that we become as they do from death to life everlasting?
And is not the devil an angel; fallen he may be but an angel nonetheless?

Isaiah 14:
12: How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!
13: For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north:
14: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
15: Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.

Matthew 12:11
And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?

If the angels are the children of God and man is the children of God then does that not make us brethren? And what if one of your brothers fall into a pit, will you not lay hold of him, and lift him out? Now, is not the devil an angel and have I not proven that the angels are brethren (as we being the children of God) then why curse your brother who is the devil? Does that not make you party to him?

Look to the living one as long as you live, otherwise you might die and then try to see the living one, and you will be unable to see.

 

[Soul Searcher]

An Angel is NOT my brother. Where did you get that idea?

Is the Devil a brother, neighbor, or fellow man? Emm.. sorry, NO!

Jesus referred to Peter as Satan, yet Jesus loved Peter.

 

[Species8472]

Jesus referred to Peter as Satan, yet Jesus loved Peter.

Absolutely true! Satan had entered Peter when he suggested that the faith could do without the cross--that was Satan speaking according to scripture.

Matthew: 16:
21: From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22: Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
23: But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Although Jesus had rebuked Satan once again, he never cursed at the devil, however he may have took offence to Satan's intrusion; but that is beyond the point--that Jesus knows that Satan's essence is omni malevolent as he (Jesus) reveals in scripture that the devil was a "liar and murderer" from the beginning.
Jesus came not to bring peace but the Word of God, as a sword, unto Satan's Kingdom; as it says in scripture:

Luke: 11:17
But he, knowing their thoughts, said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth.

...meaning that the desolation of Satan's kingdom of which is the earth as it is mentioned in 2 Corinthians: 4:4--as the God of this world that hath blinded the minds of them which believe not--referring to Satan; as the Spirit of Satan is the Spirit of this world. Since in the beginning of Genesis where the devil took the form of a serpent in order to give Adam and Eve a taste of the tree of knowledge between good and Evil; and in essence seized the earth from God for the time granted to him (the devil)--as part of Gods' will as the eyes of man were opened, to behold that man had become as one of the gods--to know good and evil. All so that it may be fulfilled in Gods' plan for the world--that Adam being the first, a living soul and the last Adam being a quickening spirit 1 Corinthians: 15:45. Evidence of such a will can be found in the gospel of Thomas (of which the church calls a heresy). It is found within the text: If the flesh came into being because of spirit, that is a marvel, but if spirit came into being because of the body, that is a marvel of marvels.--all of which is suggesting that the last Adam is a quickening spirit--which means that in the body the spirit came to life on its' own accord due to the sacrifice of Christ.
For example; Christ mentions the Holy Ghost whom comes because of Christ as it is supported in--
John: 16:7: Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
Could the Holy Ghost be the last Adam--the quickening spirit?

However, getting back to the subject, in the church it is proclaimed, as tradition states--that (we) in the end shall all live in Heaven or Hell. Which I would imagine that the devil, as a fallen angel, shall be included in that interpretation; for if we do not include the devil then that means that we are assigning him total power to resist God and in effect saying that the devil is more powerful than God in his resistance to be redeemed. If God is omnipotent then that would mean that God even has Power to redeem Satan, if it be out of Love.

Isaiah: 65:25:
The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

Note--the wolf, the lion and the serpent are all symbols of the devil; as it is suggested throughout scripture.

 

[Soul Searcher]

Well.. I'll just say that Satan did not enter into Peter. Satan was already there just waiting to show himself. Satan is the adversary, that part of us that tempts us to do things which we know we should not do. Satan is not some being with a pitch fork and horns that lives inside the earth, nor is he some evil spirit being that jumps from person to person but rather something that is in us all just as the holy spirit is in us all.

Consider the verse that speaks of the war in heaven, then consider the verse that says the kingdom of heaven is within. Then consider the ongoing struggle within us all to do good vs evil.

It was not some other being that Jesus called Satan... it was Peter.

 

[Species8472]

Well.. I'll just say that Satan did not enter into Peter. Satan was already there just waiting to show himself. Satan is the adversary, that part of us that tempts us to do things which we know we should not do. Satan is not some being with a pitch fork and horns that lives inside the earth, nor is he some evil spirit being that jumps from person to person but rather something that is in us all just as the holy spirit is in us all.

Consider the verse that speaks of the war in heaven, then consider the verse that says the kingdom of heaven is within. Then consider the ongoing struggle within us all to do good vs evil.

It was not some other being that Jesus called Satan... it was Peter.

Whatever. I've read your posts. Your one of those people that disagree with anything that anyone has to say. or at least anything I have to say. So...I don't really care. LOL

 

[Soul Searcher]

Whatever. I've read your posts. Your one of those people that disagree with anything that anyone has to say. or at least anything I have to say. So...I don't really care. LOL

hmm.. I must disagree

I do not disagree with everything people say. I disagree when they say things that I disagree with. I thought your post was interesting but I do not believe that Satan is a being that enters into people, any such reference must be figurative.

Who was Jesus talking to?

Mat 16:23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Mar 8:33 But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

 

[ReluctantProphet]

Species, you might want to note that people throughout this site will mostly respond only to what they disagree with. This leaves you to wonder which if anything else you say they might have agreed with and can give you the impression that no one agrees with anything you said. It's a bad practice, but this site promotes such things.

 

[Soul Searcher]

Species, you might want to note that people throughout this site will mostly respond only to what they disagree with. This leaves you to wonder which if anything else you say they might have agreed with and can give you the impression that no one agrees with anything you said. It's a bad practice, but this site promotes such things.

Yes this is true.

If I strongly agree with something someone has posted I will sometimes chime in with an amen or something to that effect, other times I just privately give them some rep.

If I am in somewhat agreement or disagreement sometimes I will say nothing at all.

If I strongly disagree, If I think others may be getting the wrong impression or if I think the poster is confused then I will generally shime in. Especially on certian subjects.

 

[Nontheist]

oh I do so love getting bible verses thrown at me. It just emphasises the superior I'm better than you attitude that christians are famous for.

 

[DailyBlessings]

To the OP: Since I don't see Satan as a "person", rejecting Satan has little to do with hating someone else. It would be, from my point of view, like loving a cancer or an AIDS virus. There are definitely problems with the anthropomorphism that occurs in Christianity, and your question highlights one of them.

oh I do so love getting bible verses thrown at me. It just emphasises the superior I'm better than you attitude that christians are famous for.

What does that have to do with anything? If you are going to be openly antagonistic, at least stay on topic.

 

[Harlan Norris]

John: 14:30: The prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.

Does a Christian love the devil? If you ask this question then their answer would most likely be, No—followed by a fiery statement such as; Burn in hell devil.
Is this the kind of disposition that Christ desires? If one were to reflect upon His words then one could conclude, No—that such a disposition turns a Christian into confusion—that perhaps, love is inclusive even to a malign spirit or better yet, an omni malevolent being (which could be associated with the devil).

Support for such a philosophy can be found within the contents of scripture. For example;

Luke: 6:27: But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,
28: Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
29: And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other…

Matthew: 18:21: Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Till seven times?
22: Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

I can foretell that the natural Christian response would be, Well, the devil isn’t my brother.
In the devil’s defense I would then reply, Do you believe that the angels are your brethren? Naturally their response would be, Yes!
I would then say, Did not Christ who set upon those on his right hand and upon his left hand, call “them” brethren? (As so it says in scripture).
…Then the devil is your brother.
If the devil is your brother and if you abide in Christ’s love then should you not love the devil?

The Lord has no pleasure in death or in the death of them that falleth to sin.

Remember when the spirit led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan, of which we call the Great tempter?
Is there anywhere in scripture where Christ curses the devil. No, however he may have rebuked him.

1 John: 2:9: He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
1 John: 2:10: He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
1 John: 2:11 But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.

1 John: 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.
1 John: 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.
1 John: 3:15: Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

This is the hardest part of being christian. The very idea of loving ones enemy is natureally repulsive. However, it is absolutely a requirement for salvation,just as loving God is. Frankly, hating ones enemy comes from our fear of death,or even worse, humiliation. So, we are not inclined to give up that which we cannot keep. Our mortal life. For that which we cannot lose. Everlasting life,in heaven ,with God,if we do those two commandments. Faith is the issue here. Our faith is weak. We should pray for faith,because it is by faith that we are saved.

 

[Nontheist]

sorry I was just reffering to the slew of bible verses at the beginning of the thread.

 

[Soul Searcher]

This is the hardest part of being christian. The very idea of loving ones enemy is natureally repulsive. However, it is absolutely a requirement for salvation,just as loving God is. Frankly, hating ones enemy comes from our fear of death,or even worse, humiliation. So, we are not inclined to give up that which we cannot keep. Our mortal life. For that which we cannot lose. Everlasting life,in heaven ,with God,if we do those two commandments. Faith is the issue here. Our faith is weak. We should pray for faith,because it is by faith that we are saved.

Just curious but what do you think it really means to love your enemy, also do you really think it is an absolute requirement for salvation? What if one has no enemies?

 

[Harlan Norris]

Just curious but what do you think it really means to love your enemy, also do you really think it is an absolute requirement for salvation? What if one has no enemies?

Show me someone that has no enemies,and I'll show you someone that in his or her heart, has forgiven every trespass. Our view of who is our enemy,comes first from our heart.It's that jolt of fear that says,if we do not act against the trespass of another,that we will lose all. I'd guess you are looking for scripture. It's there in abundance. Matt;5:38&39,Ye have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye,and a tooth for a tooth:But I say unto you,that ye resist not evil:but whosoever shall smite the on thy right cheek,turn to him the other also. Also in the same chapter,Matt;5:43&44,45, Ye have heard that it hath been said,thou shalt love thy neighbor,and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you,Love your enemies,bless them that curse you,do good to them that hate you,and pray for them which despitefully use you,and persecute you;That ye may be the children of your father which is in heaven:for he maketh the sun to rise on the evil and the good,and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust...Now the two commandments of Jesus.Keep in mind these are commandments,not just suggestions. They are. Love God with all your heart and all your strength and all your mind,and Love your neighbor as yourself. Loving God is to do the ten commandments to the very best of ones ability,keeping them always in mind.Loving your neighbor as yourself,is to do nothing to ones neighbor, that they would not have him do to them. Near the end of Matt;7,which is the end of the sermon on the mount,Matt;7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine,and doeth them,I will liken him unto a wise man,which built his house upon a rock: 25, And the rain decended,and the floods came,and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. 26, And everyone that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not,shall be likened unto a foolish man,which built his house upon the sand: 27, And the rain decended, and the floods came,and the wind blew, and beat upon that house;and it fell: and great was the fall of it....The two commandments of Jesus,are the foundation,of the sermon on the mount,and also the entire New Testament. If we are Christians, we will do these commandments,at least to the point that we don't willfully disobey them.Because to refuse to do them is to be as a foolish man, a worker of iniquity.Jesus has said in Matt;7:21-23, Not everyone that saith unto me, lord, lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven: but he that doeth the will of my father which is in heaven. Many will say unto me in that day,lord,lord,have we not prophesied in thy name?and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them,I never knew you: depart from me,ye that work iniquity.....Those are the rules,that's all there is to it. We seek to change them,because we are not willing to follow them.They haven't changed,and those who are willfully disobedient will not enter heaven. At least according to Jesus.

 

[Soul Searcher]

Show me someone that has no enemies,and I'll show you someone that in his or her heart, has forgiven every trespass. Our view of who is our enemy,comes first from our heart.

I have no enemies that I am aware of.

It's that jolt of fear that says,if we do not act against the trespass of another,that we will lose all.

I really don't think I have ever felt this way.

I'd guess you are looking for scripture.

I actually was just wondering what you thought it meant to love your enemy.

Also since it is possible that a person has no enemy how can it be an absolute requirement that we love our enemies? Would that not mean we would have to have enemies to be saved? Doesn't make any sense to me.

 

[DailyBlessings]

I have no enemies that I am aware of.
I really don't think I have ever felt this way.

I actually was just wondering what you thought it meant to love your enemy.

Also since it is possible that a person has no enemy how can it be an absolute requirement that we love our enemies? Would that not mean we would have to have enemies to be saved? Doesn't make any sense to me.

Well, even if you don't bear any grudges, you still have enemies. For instance, you are an American, no? There are easily thousands of people in the world would would kill you with barely a thought for that fact. Or for being rich. Or being white... How you interact with such people says a great deal.

 

[Harlan Norris]

I have no enemies that I am aware of.
I really don't think I have ever felt this way.

I actually was just wondering what you thought it meant to love your enemy.

Also since it is possible that a person has no enemy how can it be an absolute requirement that we love our enemies? Would that not mean we would have to have enemies to be saved? Doesn't make any sense to me.

One such as you has either lived a completely sheltered life or a completely blessed one. To have lived to adulthood and never to have had anyone trespass against you, to the point that he was your enemy. Yes, that's a rare find.No doubt about it.