Matthew 5:44 (ABPE) - But I say to you, love your enemies and bless the one who curses you, and do what is beautiful to the one who hates you, and pray over those who take you by force and persecute you.
Matthew 6:14-16 (NIV) For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Mark 11:25 (NIV) And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
1 John 2:9 (Wey) Any one who professes to be in the light and yet hates his brother is still in darkness.
If you wish to die a Martyr's death, walk into such a neighborhood...you will die shortly.
And surely the Lord will bless you!
But if you expect to continue your life...recognize evil when it approaches. Avoid it at all costs. Stay away from it...and pray for Him to tell you His will for you.
He may not wish your death. But if you wander into a neighborhood of evil...you will probably die!
He does not ask us to seek the lions den...he asks us not to fear it when we find ourselves in it.
If you can prove me wrong...millions of Christians will turn to face the lions...and die martyrs.
So what do you think God was telling us? Sit back and take this? Let injustice reign? Let wickedness have a heyday and just be passive?
Please say that is NOT what you think He is saying here. otherwise, you are an idiot.
Why do you think Jesus told His disciples to take up a sword?
Think about it. It will come to you.
I believe it was Timor the Lame who came to Baghdad and the inhabitants came out waving palm fronds shouting peace and love. Timor was not moved estimates of the number of the dead range from 100,000 to 1,000,000. While I obviously cannot speak for our Lord I tend to think he meant his words to cover our ordinary daily lives not the attacks of conquerors.
The thing is, it’s not against fellow man. It’s against G-d. This thing is about fellow man and it’s the other side that has to love its enemies, not Zimmerman.
Matthew 6:14-16 (NIV) For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Mark 11:25 (NIV) And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
1 John 2:9 (Wey) Any one who professes to be in the light and yet hates his brother is still in darkness.
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Yes. Amen to all you said.
However, forgiveness pretty much has to be asked for, and, if you disagree with that (though it is biblical), I can defend myself, yet still forgive.
Unfortunately for your attempt at reproof, each of those verses was taken out of context, and none of them apply in this situation.
Thanks for posting out-of-context verses.
You need to do some more study. You are clueless.
Praise the Lord, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle. -Psalm 144:1
A prudent person foresees danger and takes precautions. The simpleton goes blindly on and suffers the consequences. -Proverbs 22:3
Then He said to them, “But now, he who has a money bag, let him take it, and likewise a knapsack; and he who has no sword, let him sell his garment and buy one. -Luke 22:35
“Matthew 5:44 (ABPE) - But I say to you, love your enemies and bless the one who curses you, and do what is beautiful to the one who hates you, and pray over those who take you by force and persecute you.
Matthew 6:14-16 (NIV) For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Mark 11:25 (NIV) And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
1 John 2:9 (Wey) Any one who professes to be in the light and yet hates his brother is still in darkness.
The widely (very widely, indeed!) Father of the author of those four quotes previously issued what are commonly known as commandments.
One of them was “Don’t Murder”.
Arguably, specific Commandments from The Father may be considered authoritative.
Speaking of forgiveness, consider the requirements for forgiveness were:
1. Restitution (4 to 7 times the value of the criminal’s destructive act).
2. Public apology.
3. The public apology had to be sincere.
Of course, but those scriptures never were commands to tell believers they can’t use self-defense, or protect others. Even the apostles walked around with swords, especially at night.
You forgiving someone who hurt you, can only occur if you are still alive.
Serious question...
Would you stand by and watch as these people beat a child?
If the evil savages instigate an attack on me/mine, I solemnly intend to take out as many of the bastards as possible.
There'll be no 'forgiveness' sought.
It's hard to forgive someone when you're in a coma.
P.S. You left out "fasting and prayer".
It is sad it may come to that, but I'm not going to be a victim. I have been through this during race riots in High School, I have seen this pattern of behaviour before, and it is one of people who think there will be no consequences for their actions.
Holder, the DOJ, the media have fostered this impression on the miscreants in this case, and before the phase passes where some people think they are protected in their misdeeds, some people are going to die as a result.