The real meaning of "Love your enemy".

Originally posted by chr0naut

Originally posted by Snaffers
Luke 19:27
"But those mine enemies, which would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me."

Your quote is out of context and part of a parable (an allegorical tale, usually with a moral lesson) about the actions of an unpopular, sociopath king. Jesus was not advocating that anyone should kill people.

I read more. You were right. Now it makes sense.
My fault.
Thank you

reply to post by jiggerj

That's right. Children shouldn't learn anything in the first grade because they should stay focused on the second grade. And children in the second grade should focus only on the third grade. Married people should focus only on their next marriage. Employees should focus only on their bosses' job. I guess the point is to never live in the NOW, which is the attitude of someone that can't make it in this world. I think they're called quitters or failures or unsuccessful. This must be one of thee most foolish statements of Jesus.

are you suggesting that first graders should live as if first grade is the end? Just enjoy, watch cartoons etc and then be surprised when they fail?

Originally posted by logical7
reply to post by jiggerj

 

That's right. Children shouldn't learn anything in the first grade because they should stay focused on the second grade. And children in the second grade should focus only on the third grade. Married people should focus only on their next marriage. Employees should focus only on their bosses' job. I guess the point is to never live in the NOW, which is the attitude of someone that can't make it in this world. I think they're called quitters or failures or unsuccessful. This must be one of thee most foolish statements of Jesus.

are you suggesting that first graders should live as if first grade is the end? Just enjoy, watch cartoons etc and then be surprised when they fail?

Be with what is present. It is the gift (present) after all.
Always wanting what is next is what makes misery.

Amazingly the mind makes things up - where does the post you replied to say anything about watching cartoons?

reply to post by Itisnowagain

Why not assume that now is forever? Have you ever known anything but now. Now is the presence of the lord. Time is a idea arising presently. All arises presently, nothing can arise any other 'time'.

NOW is forever. But would you stay in your body forever? We are not immortals and as you say IT never end. so we need to worry about that IT, not want to call it afterlife, ok call it afterdeath.

Originally posted by logical7
reply to post by Itisnowagain

 

Why not assume that now is forever? Have you ever known anything but now. Now is the presence of the lord. Time is a idea arising presently. All arises presently, nothing can arise any other 'time'.

NOW is forever. But would you stay in your body forever? We are not immortals and as you say IT never end. so we need to worry about that IT, not want to call it afterlife, ok call it afterdeath.

The body is an appearance. All that can be known is the appearance.
What sees and knows the appearance that is appearing presently will never die because it was never born.
Now is forever and you cannot separate yourself from now, you are now (presence).

reply to post by sk0rpi0n


I think it's pretty simple really. To treat others as I want to be treated, and to help others in their needs whenever I can.

Originally posted by TheSubversiveOne
reply to post by sk0rpi0n

 

Unfortunately, these teachings have no place in today's competitive world. It would be impractical for one to love their enemy and turn the other cheek. Could it be that those teachings have become outdated? If not, what was the real purpose of those teachings?

On the contrary, my good friend. Loving our enemy is the greatest form of revenge.

Also, if one's enemies are great, then he too must be great enough to afford such enemies.

It kind of is....
Romans 12:17-20

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”[e]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

And when it says, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," I think it is referring to the circumstances in the enemy's life; God is teaching your enemy about the ramifications of what happened. Kind of like Karma, but not really.

reply to post by sk0rpi0n

Originally posted by SkOrpOin
(If I say something that is right, then God has inspired me. If I say something that is wrong, then it is my own mistake.)

I like that phrase, sounds like something Jesus might have said…

Originally posted by SkOrpOin
The real purpose of Jesus' teachings was not merely so his followers could be seen as "nice" people. It was not so his followers could distinguish themselves and acquire some sort of an elite status in this world. And it was definitely not to turn his followers into 'push-overs'.

Yes, I agree with this, Jesus was not saying that people should just lie down while others work injustice and unrighteousness. Jesus himself is a perfect example of this, like when he turned over the tables in the temple, and when he stood up to the Pharisees, by pointing out their hypocrisies.

So Yeah, Jesus is not saying to become push-overs, in any way, shape or form.

Originally posted by SkOrpOin
My thoughts on the real reason why Jesus told his followers to "love the enemy" and "forgive their persecutors" was so they could gain rewards and blessings in heaven... AFTER life ends here on earth. Which is why he said that there is no reward in merely loving those who love you back.

Good thoughts, and I agree with them as well. I would also add, that Jesus is also talking about honoring God, in the here and now. And IMO the “turning of the other cheek”, is essentially about keeping Gods Commandments.

Originally posted by SkOrpOin
Remember, Jesus' repeatedly taught not to be attached to THIS world, but instead to stay focused on the NEXT world.

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

I believe by this Jesus meant that our treasures can only be stored in Spirit or the Spiritual Realm. It’s kind of right up there, with how difficult it is for a rich man to enter heaven etc…with material things having little value there, only forgiveness, kindness and love, are real tangible things within the Kingdom.

Originally posted by SkOrpOin
Do you work for treasures here on this mortal world... treasures that can be diminished or go bad? Or do you work for treasures in the afterlife that will always remain and be yours?

A difficult question, for me to answer because I don’t go along with the standard Christian perspective.

I believe that on the day that I received the “Holy Spirit”, was the day that I entered the Kingdom, and that it is a Spiritual Kingdom. So the treasures I now try to build, are to do with Spiritual truths, and the helping of people to find those truths. But not by forcing people to believe what I believe, but by just gently encouraging and planting small seeds, so that people can find God via their own Journey.

I consider this to be treasure enough, in and of itself.


Peace be with you…


- JC

So the treasures I now try to build, are to do with Spiritual truths, and the helping of people to find those truths. But not by forcing people to believe what I believe, but by just gently encouraging and planting small seeds, so that people can find God via their own Journey.

I consider this to be treasure enough, in and of itself.

I try and "plant" seeds. I usually say a truth. Then I would say something I would do in a circumstance they are facing, but then I proceed to tell the person not everything is black and white and the circumstance is all personal and there are a lot of variables involved so my way is not always going to be their way, but there are similar foundations. I also tell the person that he/she will know what to do because I have faith they will. I try and not to use religious terms as sometimes it would detract the person; I try to communicate in a way that would relate to them, but if the person is a believer, I always try and tell the person to talk to God about the issue.

Originally posted by logical7
reply to post by jiggerj

 

That's right. Children shouldn't learn anything in the first grade because they should stay focused on the second grade. And children in the second grade should focus only on the third grade. Married people should focus only on their next marriage. Employees should focus only on their bosses' job. I guess the point is to never live in the NOW, which is the attitude of someone that can't make it in this world. I think they're called quitters or failures or unsuccessful. This must be one of thee most foolish statements of Jesus.

are you suggesting that first graders should live as if first grade is the end? Just enjoy, watch cartoons etc and then be surprised when they fail?

I'm saying that first graders should experience the first grade. If they do it well, then they go to the second grade without ever thinking or worrying about it. To deprive themselves of one subject means to fail the first grade.

Just as we should experience this life (all of it, with all our emotions and with all of our human-ness) without wasting a minute of it on what comes next. To turn away from our needs and wants means (like in the first grade) to deprive ourselves of certain subjects that we were meant to experience and learn from, we fail in this life. If there is a next life, the experiences we deny ourselves here means that we go into that next life lacking something.

reply to post by sk0rpi0n

(If I say something that is right, then God has inspired me. If I say something that is wrong, then it is my own mistake.)

Wow. Whatever shall you do with all that self-respect and integrity? I think you should get rid of some of that ego, people might think you have too high of an opinion of yourself.

If you say something right, take credit for it. You are not possessed. End of story.

That's ridiculous, dude. The real reason that you are supposed to do that is to make friends and allies. People are stronger as a team than as individuals. How are you supposed to make friends and allies if you are not willing to show some altruism?

It's not outdated at all, if anything, being able to master the teachings you speak of in a time where no one understands them could lead one to great personal wealth.

Do you know the value of a true friend? It is worth more than all of the money in the world. What are you making all of that money for, anyway, but to try and have a meaningful relationship with someone? Yet how are you expecting to do that if you don't know the first thing about having one?

'Love thy enemies' has to be some of the worst advice ever given....

Show your enemies mercy...............

But love them???

It's things like this and their overuse of the word that leads me to conclude that religious folk/theists really don't know the meaning of love.

It's used when actually words such as 'dictator', 'punishment', 'insecure', 'spiteful' and the like are accurate.