Filed under: Teachings
You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.
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, 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. 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? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
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Hard teaching, Jesus. I’ve grappled with this as an anabaptist, but wonder about the practicality of it. Could you elaborate?
Comment by Mark Van Steenwyk January 9, 2008 @ 5:28 amClearly, this teaching only applies to individuals, not to nations. As a good American, I am committed to killing my enemy in battle. I can pray for them, I suppose.
Comment by John Calibru January 9, 2008 @ 5:29 amI completely agree! I think what you said is right on, we should hear more about this stuff in church! It’s a shame that sometimes the only way to ‘love our enemies’ is to kill them, but that’s just the world we live in today.
Comment by SusanB January 9, 2008 @ 8:57 amWhat sort of peanic silliness is this? Letting your attacker hit you again? Letting someone take your cloak as well? What would happen if Christians were to take this seriously! I could never, in good conscience, proclaim this message to my flock.
Comment by Rev. Kreyton Smith January 10, 2008 @ 1:08 pm[...] first post, titled “Love Your Enemies,” upset many evangelical leaders. In that post, Jesus issues a provocative call to [...]
Pingback by Weblog of Jesus Stirs Controversy Among Faithful : :: Jesus Manifesto :: January 10, 2008 @ 1:52 pmMy understanding is “Love your neighbor as yourself” even if your neighbor is your enemy. What this means is that you care about him/her/them and don’t wish harm to come to them. It’s an attitude thing. Will they change? Probably not, but maybe. But either way, God will bless you for what you did. My understand of “neighbor” is EVERYONE, and I refer to the parable of the Good Samaritan. It crosses national or racial boundaries. So, according to this teaching, we ought to love those trying to kill us, even other countries. No one said it was an easy teaching.
Comment by Josh Z January 14, 2008 @ 9:52 pmJesus, you must be using a mac, right? keep up the good words of life friend. I’ve heard them before, but say them as often as you like…
Comment by John Santic January 26, 2008 @ 4:54 am