Great Words of Jesus
- Thread starter -Daniel-
- Start date
Yes, God loves the Devil. But we need to understand what love means in this context. In the context of loving your enemies, love is a response to someone who is unworthy of love. God loved the world and gave his Son for it. That was a response to unworthy people, to sinners, to those who were his enemies. That’s divine love. It’s a love that proceeds from the nature of the lover, rather than the worth of the person who is loved. It’s a love that gives, a love that seeks the best of the object loved. It’s is a commitment of the will to cherish and uphold another person.
Jesus never asked us to love our enemies in the same way as we love our dearest friend or spouse or family member. The word he uses is different than the words used for those kinds of love. It’s synonymous with the word “mercy.” When Jesus said, "Love your enemies" he is talking about a merciful spirit, tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries or to treat an offender better than he deserves; while they are cursing, you are blessing. When they come with spite to persecute, you do not respond as they do. You pray for them, do good unto them. This is the love of which Jesus is speaking.
Jesus set the example for us by praying for those who were crucifying Him. “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:24).
Loving the devil this way does not mean approving of him or his aims. And, of course, it doesn't mean loving him as you love God. We are to love our enemies in part for them, but mostly for our sakes: Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:9). Jesus went on to say in this context, "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). The word “perfect’ does not imply “sinless perfection” which is impossible in this life, but completeness and maturity as God’s children.
Also, if you have an enemy who does something bad to you and you turn around and do something good to him, how stupid and embarrassed will that likely make him feel? You think it might make him stop being your enemy? Just might. "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." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).
The point is that Jesus does not want us to act like the world, the devil. He wants us to manifest a behavior that is based on a supernatural principle of divine life. He desires that we live above the level of mediocrity by the power of His Spirit. He desires for us to live a life that in our own strength we cannot live. This kind of love is to be the badge of all Christians, and is the mark that they belong to God
Jesus never asked us to love our enemies in the same way as we love our dearest friend or spouse or family member. The word he uses is different than the words used for those kinds of love. It’s synonymous with the word “mercy.” When Jesus said, "Love your enemies" he is talking about a merciful spirit, tenderness of heart which disposes a person to overlook injuries or to treat an offender better than he deserves; while they are cursing, you are blessing. When they come with spite to persecute, you do not respond as they do. You pray for them, do good unto them. This is the love of which Jesus is speaking.
Jesus set the example for us by praying for those who were crucifying Him. “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:24).
Loving the devil this way does not mean approving of him or his aims. And, of course, it doesn't mean loving him as you love God. We are to love our enemies in part for them, but mostly for our sakes: Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing (1 Peter 3:9). Jesus went on to say in this context, "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). The word “perfect’ does not imply “sinless perfection” which is impossible in this life, but completeness and maturity as God’s children.
Also, if you have an enemy who does something bad to you and you turn around and do something good to him, how stupid and embarrassed will that likely make him feel? You think it might make him stop being your enemy? Just might. "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." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21).
The point is that Jesus does not want us to act like the world, the devil. He wants us to manifest a behavior that is based on a supernatural principle of divine life. He desires that we live above the level of mediocrity by the power of His Spirit. He desires for us to live a life that in our own strength we cannot live. This kind of love is to be the badge of all Christians, and is the mark that they belong to God
I was gonna reply but I think Jokerman already did it
I was basically gonna say that it probably means dont dehumanise ure enemies. They are people like u, they may have done something bad to u which is why u dont like them, but dont let this make u retaliate in like by doing something bad back to them. Turn the other cheek.
I was basically gonna say that it probably means dont dehumanise ure enemies. They are people like u, they may have done something bad to u which is why u dont like them, but dont let this make u retaliate in like by doing something bad back to them. Turn the other cheek.
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