/christian/ - Christian Discussion and Fellowship

We should always remember that we are children of God, made in His image and likeness and that Christ died for all. Hence, we must not hold grudges against other human beings. Chesterton puts it nicely, that "good soldier. The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.

We should defend ourselves, moreso our friends and our people, since greatest virtue, is to lay your life for your friend. But it must be because of love, not because of hatred of your enemies.

>>680613

You have to realize humans arent your enemy,Satan and his minions are.

And if you have any enemies as a christian its satan manipulating those people like puppets to hate you.

And if they hate you as a christian,its becuase they hate the christ in you.

It isnt submission. It's pity.

>>680614

Not holding grudges is an absurd lie.

Matt 18:21-35

You dont forgive anyone unless they sincerely apologize for their actions against you.

Loving someone means to want them good, which is to want them salvation (which is the ultimate good thing that could happen to men). It does not mean enabling them, nor letting them indulge in the sins that will damn them, much less let them build an environment that will foster such sins. Who loves their children more: the parents who let their kids use drugs, or the parents who stop such use, through confrontation if needed?

It does not mean having to be nice, though that is preferable if possible. If stern condemnation, mockery or even physical offenses stop someone from indulging in damning behavior (keeping proportionality and efficacy in mind of course), that is very loving, too. This is the part where we have to be careful, though, because a lot of people use "I'm trying to save them, this is charitable!" as an excuse for their own desire to just be mean, so think things through to see if the situation really calls for it.

"Turn the other cheek", as well, is to recognize that offenses to YOU as a person are of no importance. Who are you? Have some humility. If the offense only affects you, let it slide. Someone may yell at you unfairly, what of that? This does not mean letting offenses against God go unnoticed however, as the controversy at the temple shows.

And if your enemies genuinely seek forgiveness, then forgive them, because, what is your own little personal indignation before their salvation?

>>680613

Loving your enemy does not mean tolerating his evil, and if someone trespasses against God's commandments he also must be punished for it (lev., deut., rom.). Loving your enemy means to not let your society deteriorate into blood feuds, since this is exactly what happens if you are unable to forgive and are apathetic towards others.

Nowadays Christian countries have pretty much mastered this already. Even if someone kills their loved one, but sincerely apologizes and repents, most people are willing to let him serve his sentence without holding grudges. It simply is the superior mode of society.

>>680620

I know a lot about this. It says in the Bible that God won't let them hurt you. And to prevent you from actually being condemned, avoid picking up a sword and turn the other cheek. It's a game, man, and those are the rules. The only thing demons can do is make you stray from religion and make you bury your coins, or do anything that goes against the Bible.

Why do you think that incel revolution thing is real? It's demons, they want to trick the 144 000 virgins to commit atrocities. Just be conscious of the fact that anybody who doesnt have a name from the house of Israel can be taken over by an "agent smith" and used to make the real people of Israel do stupid things.

>>680613

>>680682

If it's only names that matter I'm a super high tier saint.

>>680622

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32

>>680687

I don't get what you mean.

Christ does not forgive unrepented men.

>>680622

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

- Matthew 6:14-15

>>680613

These verses need to be taken in context of the time that they were written.

>if someone slaps you on the right cheek, turn them the other cheek also.

In this example, a subservient person would be slapped with the backhand. As most strike backhanded with their right hand, which would result in striking the opponents right cheek. It was considered foul to touch someone with your left hand, as this was used for cleaning yourself (also the word sinisterous literally means left handed). Present your other cheek (your left cheek), and if they strike you, they will be looked down upon and that person will lose prestige amongst his peers.

>hand over your coat

I cant remember the details on this one, but there was something about it being illegal to take someone’s cloak (coat) as it would leave them exposed to the elements. If you’re sued give them your coat as well. The person bringing the suit will have to beg you to take your coat back.

>If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.

Roman soldiers could force slaves to carry their possessions for one mile. LIterally one mile was the limit, and soldiers would get in trouble for breaking this law. If you continue to carry someone’s things for more than a mile, the soldier will in turn have to BEG you to return the things, losing face.

>give one who asks you…

The person who asks for a handout or to borrow from you is essentially in your debt.

The last bit is about growing the Christian flock.

>>681049

>taken in context of the time that they were written

The living Word is immutable. Time does not change its meaning. It is no longer considered foul to touch something with your left hand, but the Word does not change. If someone strikes you, you are to turn the other cheek no matter what time period you live in. Stop trying to make excuses for violent/wrathful behavior.

>>680613

"Men think that is is impossible for a human being to love his enemies, for enemies are hardly able to endure the sight of one another. Well, then, shut your eyes–and your enemy looks just like your neighbor."

-Kierkegaard

>>681686

>"do not resist an evil person," as it begs the question: in what sense should I not resist?

It's a hard teaching but it means exactly what it says. Remember that many early Christians were martyred for Christ. They did not resist, they did not fight back. Jesus says "Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it". Clinging to your worldly life by using violence is a rejection of Jesus.

There’s a distinction here between a personal enemy and the enemy of the state. In the Vulgate, the word is “inimicus”, which is a personal enemy, ie a neighbor who wrongs you.

Would the examples posted in this video, go against loving your enemy?