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Bible Question: I found your website while browsing. I have only gone through
your last study. Am I right in saying the following? Though we
have to love our enemies, whoever that enemy might be and whatever
he has done, our expressions of love should foremost include a
"forgive and forget". Though God is indiscriminate in the expression
of His sovereignty, He will judge the unrighteous and send them
to hell. His love was expressed through Jesus who humbled Himself
even unto death (for all who believe in Him) and I believe that
if we can apply the fact that we were crucified with Him, our
whole life will become a life of forgiveness followed by other
expressions of love. Thank you for challenging me. I love the
Word.
Bible Answer: Jesus challenged us in Matthew 5:43-44 when He said,
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You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR,
and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, and
pray for those who persecute you (NASB) Matthew 5:44 |
Jesus wants us to love our enemy and the highest expression of
our love for them and for God is to tell them about Jesus Christ.
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How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed?
And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And
how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach
unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE
THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!" However,
they did not all heed the glad tidings; for Isaiah says, "LORD,
WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" So faith comes from hearing, and
hearing by the word of Christ. (NASB) Romans 10:14-17 |
Next, our love has many expressions and forgiveness is one of
those expressions,
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And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you
seven times, saying, 'I repent,' forgive him. (NASB) Luke 17:4 |
Conclusion: Jesus desires that we love our enemies, our neighbors and our
fellow Christians,
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So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men,
and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.
(NASB) Galatians 6:10 |
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