43You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor’ and ‘Hate your enemy.’
44But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
45that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.
He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.…
Jesus the Christ goes beyond “not hating,” “tolerating.”
Christians are to love enemies. A Big Step beyond. A really hard step.
Can Jesus be trusted??
PLEASE WRITE-IN #11) OTHER .. describe your thoughts.
i chose #2, 9, 10.
(i hope allowing 3 “top” choices works out ok.)
#1 is THE challenge Jesus poses to His followers. Christian love for enemies, persecutors.
If His path was followed by the majority of “we claimed believers,” no matter label, what would happen??
For this thread, the focus is PUTIN.
Jesus did not limit this way, but i’m trying to imagine, “What-if” Christian love were offered to Putin, in particular?
ohio jones wrote: ↑Fri Mar 25, 2022 9:58 pm
Why are we limited to 3 options? I want to choose everything except #7. Even if I'm not quite "there" yet on all of them.
i found myself in nearly the same boat, but thought maybe limitations/priorities might be more interesting.
it’s not meant to be ALL, but, “most”/strongest.
Can you believe #6 while choosing #1? (remember, too, the Russian people will be harmed in the process of destruction.)
As a non-Christian, I love Putin because he is good, and I hate all members of modern western culture because they are evil. Putin absolutely did the right thing in invading Ukraine because this was necessary for the defense of Russia against the evil West. The government of Ukraine is pure evil as one would expect of anything supported by the West. I think this government is the first Jewish-Nazi coalition government in history. And of course the Ukrainian people will be better off when Putin removes this undemocratic corrupt tyrannical government.
This would represent a minimum of 8 members participating. (Limited to 3 options.)
It’s probably more than 8, maybe not.
What would happen if world leaders acting out in violence would get a clear message from Christians they are loved? That their fire will not be met with counterfire? Would this deescalate? Disarm? Overcome?!
Outside the exception of Jesus, has it been tried?
temporal1 wrote: ↑Sat Mar 26, 2022 2:27 pm
Already, 7 present with Christian love for Putin.
24 total votes, none wanting to harm Putin.
This would represent a minimum of 8 members participating. (Limited to 3 options.)
It’s probably more than 8, maybe not.
What would happen if world leaders acting out in violence would get a clear message from Christians they are loved? That their fire will not be met with counterfire? Would this deescalate? Disarm? Overcome?!
Outside the exception of Jesus, has it been tried?
If we are considering 'what ifs' then perhaps the place to start is how we treat everyone within our reach with God's love and especially brothers and sisters in Christ. No seeking revenge for what others say or do. No warring with words that produces strife. Allowing ourselves to be mis-treated and respond by 'turning the other cheek'. Sharing the Gospel with others because we love them and want them to also have the gift of eternal life. Doing good deeds in the community with no special treatment of any distinction of persons.
I'm reminded of the old saying 'charity begins at home'. I do believe there are Christians who do these things quite well. I also personally believe those that do, would not take much interest like I do in forums like this one.
With that said, a question - For those who have 'Christian love for Putin' how is this heart felt love being expressed ?
PLEASE WRITE-IN #11) OTHER .. describe your thoughts. 
I want to choose everything except #7. Even if I'm not quite "there" yet on all of them.
i found myself in nearly the same boat, but thought maybe limitations/priorities might be more interesting. 
