tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464309008858992954.post6893026767076496608..comments2023-08-10T05:13:10.024-07:00Comments on The Ekklesia Project: Loving Enemies: A Training ProgramZach Kincaidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12893369435666365181noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464309008858992954.post-29115111908937525582009-09-26T09:37:48.839-07:002009-09-26T09:37:48.839-07:00David:
You are, of course, correct. His first nam...David:<br /><br />You are, of course, correct. His first name is Joel. Why I didn't catch that before posting is unclear, but it's entirely my fault. I also mean the Tropic of Cancer, not Capricorn, so I'm down two strikes on this post. <br /><br />Jon: <br /><br />Right on. Another admission of God's sovereignty is recognizing that we have enemies. We can't love someone who's not there. Not that we have to make enemies. Life takes care of that. <br /><br /> I do remember, though, spending a few moments at a Buddhist tchotchke shop nearby and finding, among all the other trendy retail items, a bumper sticker that read, "Love your enemies and you won't have any." I want to believe that Buddhism is more morally and intellectually serious than thinking my attitude will change the world, but that, apparently, is what sells.Briannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464309008858992954.post-23502157284206679312009-09-26T08:24:59.243-07:002009-09-26T08:24:59.243-07:00I think it might be helpful for you to write "...I think it might be helpful for you to write "Joel Scott" instead of merely "Scott" Osteen... Nevertheless: a good message. Thanks.david+https://www.blogger.com/profile/12673186171508688202noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1464309008858992954.post-83652845132399405432009-09-26T06:28:44.210-07:002009-09-26T06:28:44.210-07:00Loving enemies is ultimately an admission of God&#...Loving enemies is ultimately an admission of God's sovereignty over our lives. We love our enemies precisely because Christ commanded us to do so.<br /><br />Furthermore, not "loving our enemies" undermines the entire notion of our faith--namely that Christ came to save what was lost. <br /><br />If we understand the hard truth that each one of us has betrayed (even crucified) our Lord, we will find ourselves undeserving of His love, undeserving of a relationship with Him. As enemies of Christ we are destined for an eternity apart from Him (Hell),and it is in the midst of this realization then we begin the process of reconciliation with God and with our fellow man. In fact, our newfound love and devotion to Jesus Christ can scarcely exist outside of loving the least of these, even our enemies. How else could we show our love for Him?<br /><br />When we begin to recognize that God loves us so much that He would dare to forgive us for what we have done, we are likewise compelled to forgive and to love our enemies.Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00067870691769945719noreply@blogger.com