You can appreciate it and love it, but not become attached to it. It is His world and His beauty and His greatness is reflected in His work. Admire it, respect it, but do not grab for it.
(Rom.12:18) If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men
But, in context [Rom 12:17-19]
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"says the Lord.
Paul is telling us not to sin if possible; he never say pick up a a word if you can't live in peace with them. Do not repay evil for evil ... never take revenge does not say "if possible." You must, as much as possible within your heart, to live in peace with others, shunning sin.
I would love to see all souls saved and I would love for everyone to hear and heed God's Word - it won't happen in this age nor in the next one. How could I help anyone accept Christ if they kill me?
Those who believe walk on water and leave everything to God. The Bible is full of miracles (which I presume many use as a talking point but really don't believe), and instances where God spared others because of their prayers and faith.
I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; behold, I will add fifteen years to your life [Isa 38:5]
He told Peter to put his sword away because He came to earth to do the thing Peter was trying to save Him from
But he never tells them to use the sword to kill their enemies, does He?
It could be He thought two swords were enough but He told them to take a sword - Then said He unto them, "But now, he that hath a purse, let him take it, and likewise his scrip: and he that hath no sword, let him sell his garment, and buy one.(Luke 22:36)
In context [Luke 22: 36-38]
He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors'; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment." The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords." "That is enough," he replied."
The whole section is mumb-jumbo unrelated to anything. If you think someone mistranslated the word "hate," this whole block looks like someone mixed and-mismatched several verses into one nonsense.
True - some of them are bottom feeders (but most of ours are better than most of theirs)
More opinion. Thanks for sharing.
He wants us to stand as a zombie. He provides the bricks and we provide the labor
First you treat as dying for Christ as a "loss." That's because your focus is here and now, on the world. You feel that you have the right to stay as long as you can and that somehow going to the Lord "prematurely" is undesirable, although your birth certificate gives no time span.
Second, you assume that not using evil means "standing like a zombie." There are ways to resist and evade without resorting to evil. There are ways to fight without resorting to evil. That's why we have a judicial system and not vigilante "justice." We must do everything to stop the evil short of returning evil for evil because we do not inflict evil on those we love and if we love God then we love our enemies too and wish them no evil.
Yes He knows but His grace offers it to them until their last breath
God doesn't do things Himself, He uses us to do His work; he used Noah, and Abraham and Moses and the prophets and patriarchs, and the saints for that purpose. So, if we are true believers, ours is to try to make the other person see God through us, to be used by God, but for that to happen we must be God-like enough for His light to shine through us for our enemies to see and believe.
I love that answer and reasoning.
Do not repay evil for evil ... never take revenge does not say "if possible." You must, as much as possible within your heart, to live in peace with others, shunning sin.
True but some of us do not consider it a sin to stop evil. Some of us do not believe it is revenge.
Those who believe walk on water and leave everything to God. The Bible is full of miracles (which I presume many use as a talking point but really don't believe), and instances where God spared others because of their prayers and faith.
Everything I can't handle I leave to God. I do not believe He wants us to leave it all to Him. We, as children of God, should be able to handle many things knowing we are His children.
But he never tells them to use the sword to kill their enemies, does He?
No, I don't think He did.
More opinion. Thanks for sharing.
You are most welcome. I'm always happy to share my opinions with you.
God doesn't do things Himself, He uses us to do His work; he used Noah, and Abraham and Moses and the prophets and patriarchs, and the saints for that purpose. So, if we are true believers, ours is to try to make the other person see God through us, to be used by God, but for that to happen we must be God-like enough for His light to shine through us for our enemies to see and believe.
That is my point. He uses us to work for Him. Some of that work is going to battle. Some of us can spread His light and His Word. We all have different duties.
if we love God then we love our enemies too and wish them no evil.
Again, it is not evil to stop them. I wish they would all go away and live a wonderful life but they choose not to.