Pray for your enemies?

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dermdoc
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3:34p, 12/6/24
AG
This was in my afternoon readings and made me think of this thread.

1 Peter 3 8-12
Be compassionate and humble, not paying back evil for evil or insult for insult but, on the contrary, giving a blessing.
For the one who wants to love life and to see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit, and let him turn away from evil and do what is good.
Let him speak peace and pursue it, because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are open to their prayers.
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BluHorseShu
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In reply to UTExan • 4:44p, 12/6/24
AG
UTExan said:
BluHorseShu said:
UTExan said:
" Well, how many innocent people do you think have received the death penalty in U.S. history? If it's just one, that sin is on all of us."

No it is not.
Really? So God is okay with us killing an innocent person?


That's why I don't do it.
I'm not saying scripture does support captial punishment as a last resort or that its not a good deterrent. However, an estimated 4% of innocent people are executed annually. As far as I know, scripture allows for capital punishment if we are certain of a persons guilt. If not, then it breaks the commandment.

The point being is that if we just accept (and support as a society) that the scripture gives the civilian government authority to dole out the death penalty, then what is the threshold of error and any responsibility? Instead of 4%, what if it began to rise? Just seems like our society is quick to shrug that off.

And remember, Jesus was innocent....and yet still executed via the process of justice at that time.
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BluHorseShu
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In reply to birddog7000 • 4:50p, 12/6/24
AG
birddog7000 said:
Frok said:
It's one of the hardest things to do, love and pray for our enemies. The enemies in Jesus' time would kill you for deviating from their truth so it's not like it harder now than it was then.

When it comes to politics I think it's important to understand that most people are not extreme in their political beliefs.

Going back to what Martin said, you can pray for someone's sin to wreck them in order for them to repent. Or for bad ideas to fail.


I have begun recently to look at this differently. When I am praying for someone who I think needs a change of heart, I pray for a conviction of their heart. I also pray for God to convict my heart as well, if I am wrong about them, or if I have anything else that needs addressing in my life. I cannot look at the speck of sawdust in my brother's eye, without first removing the plank that is in my own eye. I think God loves to share with us the plank, because He knows if we are seeking to remove it, we are seeking deeper communion with him. It is out of love that He reveals our sins.

Jesus didn't wreck people struggling with sin, He healed and delivered them with a touch of His hand or with a word. He fixes wrecked people, he doesn't further wreck people who are already in disorder.
Well said. I like this as well. I often find that some people often want to justify their emotions, especially hate/animosity so they only focus on those scriptures that seem to justify it. I never ran into any other republicans/conservatives prior to the past 8 years who struggled with hating 'the left' or democrats. The vitriol seems like something new, that seems partly born out of the confirmation bias we get from our own media sources (which these days is becoming more represented by online forums and podcasts). I also don't recall people being so overtly political year round, even in non election years.

I think some want to believe there is a very clear, black and white definitive line that only now exists....them (the evil ones) and us (the righteous). And the only thing that defines it is how someone voted.
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TresPuertas
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11:01a, 12/8/24
AG
https://www.instagram.com/share/BAXjY3ti03

what i'm talking about.

I struggle with anyone who harms children. i want them dead. and in hell.
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FIDO95
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11:48a, 12/8/24
AG
This story comes to mind:

https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/pope-john-paul-mehmet-agca-1983/

TLDR, Agca was a Turkish, would be assassin, who shot Pope John Paul II 4 times in 1981. While in the hospital recovering, John Paul asked the world to pray for Agca who he forgave. John Paul would later meet Agca in prison to forgive him face to face. In 2007, Agca converted to Christianity. He still had to serve his time but forgiveness and prayers of others led to his conversation. Hate and anger would not have done that.


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PabloSerna
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In reply to TresPuertas • 12:03p, 12/8/24
AG
TresPuertas said:
https://www.instagram.com/share/BAXjY3ti03

what i'm talking about.

I struggle with anyone who harms children. i want them dead. and in hell.


At least you know what you have to work on. Can't imagine revenge is what God wants man to dole out on his behalf.

"Vengeance is mine says the Lord, I will repay" (Romans 12:17-18)
“Falsehood flies and the truth comes limping after it” -Jonathan Swift, 1710
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PabloSerna
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In reply to FIDO95 • 12:08p, 12/8/24
AG
Saint Pope JP2 was a great example for us in this time. Not just for his call to end the death penalty, but also his willingness to model what he called "Salvific suffering" when so many want to end life that is struggling with physical and mental impairments.

+++

What I find fascinating and inspiring, is Christ's response and action to this very question.

Early on in his ministry, Jesus visits the home of Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector, who may have done some dishonest dealings in his past. Instead of reigning down fire, Jesus meets with him over dinner and through this encounter, Zacchaeus has a change of heart.

We hear about Jesus visiting the lepers, those cast out from the villages because they were believed to be cursed or suffering from the sins of their fathers. He heals them and makes them new again.

There are other points in the Bible where Jesus models mercy and love instead of wrath and vengeance. I would say if one struggles to understand why people who experience gender dysphoria seek to change their appearance, instead of passing judgement, maybe seek to dialogue and understand.




“Falsehood flies and the truth comes limping after it” -Jonathan Swift, 1710
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BluHorseShu
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In reply to PabloSerna • 4:45p, 12/9/24
AG
PabloSerna said:
TresPuertas said:
https://www.instagram.com/share/BAXjY3ti03

what i'm talking about.

I struggle with anyone who harms children. i want them dead. and in hell.


At least you know what you have to work on. Can't imagine revenge is what God wants man to dole out on his behalf.

"Vengeance is mine says the Lord, I will repay" (Romans 12:17-18)
He doesn't. In fact you're right, its the exact opposite.
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Scoopen Skwert
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5:36p, 12/9/24
AG
I've seen too much ugliness to have a "sweet spot" in my heart for the evil and wicked of the world.
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FIDO95
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In reply to Scoopen Skwert • 6:14p, 12/9/24
AG


A classic line from a classic American movie. I couldn't resist throwing it out there.

https://getyarn.io/yarn-clip/b9295ece-c5f6-439e-8563-8d581a4ff8f5

Edit to add link. Apparently if you were old enough to watch Red Dawn in a movie theater to are to old to embed gifs.
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Scoopen Skwert
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In reply to FIDO95 • 6:35p, 12/9/24
AG
I've learned to live on hate, rip its and Copenhagen.
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PabloSerna
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9:32p, 12/9/24
AG
Jesus didn't say to Zaccheaus, "It's ok, keep it up". Which I think is why many folks don't try to understand each other. They just assume I'm right, you are wrong and that's that.

I will add something I learned recently about drug addiction. That going cold turkey isn't the best way to quit long term. After hearing about "harm reduction safe sites" success rate comparatively, my mind about drug use and quitting "cold turkey" was changed.

I had to try to understand what was happening, because on the outside looking in - it appears that folks who struggle with drug addiction were just shooting up. When in fact they were in the process of recovery.

“Falsehood flies and the truth comes limping after it” -Jonathan Swift, 1710
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gordo97
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In reply to Scoopen Skwert • 10:08p, 12/9/24
AG
Scoopen Skwert said:
I've seen too much ugliness to have a "sweet spot" in my heart for the evil and wicked of the world.


Is praying for your enemies the same as having a sweet spot for them?
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JR Ewing
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2:44p, 12/10/24
AG
My wife had brain surgery last year to remove a tumor. Jesus was there and He told her that she was holding on to things with people in her life and it was affecting her relationships with them. He instructed her to let them go and forgive. He wants us to love all people, and in showing our love, hopefully allow them to see Him through us. God is love, and He tells us to love the Lord with all your heart, and soul, and minds, and Love our neighbors as ourselves. When you consider how much He loves us to send His son to the cross to die for me, a poor miserable sinner, I choose to extend His grace to all, God willing, and in turn, reflect the love of Our Great and Mighty Savior. I then remember that all of us were created in His image, and He loves every one of us, so in my mind, so should we.
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