Critical Thinking

[aspen]

The Gospel is believe. Your gospel is love everyone. Which you do not do.

Stranger

You are indeed a stranger to the gospel. Repent! Believing is acting on a true idea - acting is choosing to love everyone. No one is perfect - everyone sins (loving imperfectly is sin) and those who submit to the work of the Spirit are being transformed into citizen of Heaven - perfected lovers

 

[Stranger]

You are indeed a stranger to the gospel. Repent! Believing is acting on a true idea - acting is choosing to love everyone. No one is perfect - everyone sins (loving imperfectly is sin) and those who submit to the work of the Spirit are being transformed into citizen of Heaven - perfected lovers

So, what are you saying? You need to repent for hating Trump and his supporters as you declared.

Stranger

 

[aspen]

So, what are you saying? You need to repent for hating Trump and his supporters as you declared.

Stranger

I didnt mention Trump. I was inviting you to follow the Jesus you claim to believe in

 

[Stranger]

I didnt mention Trump. I was inviting you to follow the Jesus you claim to believe in

But you did mention Trump in your hate filled post as I showed earlier. So, do you repent? Or, the gospel you preach doesn't pertain to you...just to those other 'white' people.

I see.

Stranger

 

[aspen]

But you did mention Trump in your hate filled post as I showed earlier. So, do you repent? Or, the gospel you preach doesn't pertain to you...just to those other 'white' people.

I see.

Stranger

I have been clear in my message. You however, have attempted to control this conversation by trying to make it about me hating people rather than their ideas. In the process, you have allowed me to preach the gospel of Jesus, Peter, and Paul, which is to not only believe Jesus is Lord, but to follow him by loving your neighbor through service

I thank you

 

[Stranger]

I have been clear in my message. You however, have attempted to control this conversation by trying to make it about me hating people rather than their ideas. In the process, you have allowed me to preach the gospel of Jesus, Peter, and Paul, which is to not only believe Jesus is Lord, but to follow him by loving your neighbor through service

I thank you

But...no repentance for your hatred? Strange indeed. Your gospel is for others but not for you. I get it .

That is very clear.

Stranger

 

[aspen]

Here is a copy of the OP before Stranger’s scarecrow:

Critical thinking requires our ability to be metacognitive - thinking about our thinking. Can you step back and evaluate your own thoughts and ideas?

Can you see past your opinions and perceptions in order to gain perspective or are your opinions part of your identity?

In my opinion, the ability to think critically about our beliefs and ideas is incredibly important today because there is so much information flooding our minds.......much of it is propaganda used to support the beliefs of our group/tribe.

Can you evaluate information that seems to support your beliefs? QAnon comes to mind.....
It seems to support positive beliefs about Trump - can you evaluate it from a neutral position?
Is it important to do so?

IMO our tribe, Christianity, wants us to accept the teachings of our specific brand (denomination) without question. This mentality makes it difficult for us to evaluted secular information that seems to support our beliefs - ‘Trump is anti-abortion so he must be the right guy’ - ‘i did the right thing by voting for Trump so he must be the right guy no matter what’ therefore, ‘any criticism of Trump is a personal attack on my group and on me’. This is a dangerous mindset. It allow us to turn off our minds and i believe it can lead to disastrous results for our country and our spirituality. The devil operates in the shadows of our minds....conspiracy theories, propaganda, identity with opinion....

1. Do you value critical thinking?
2. Are you able to evaluate information that seems to support your worldview?
3. Is faith the same as doubling down on your ideas about God? Or, is faith allowing events to unfold, with the hope that God will make everything right?

 

[Stranger]

Here is a paraphrase of post #2. All that is said in post #1 is bs.

Stranger

 

[Mayflower]

Critical thinking requires our ability to be metacognitive - thinking about our thinking. Can you step back and evaluate your own thoughts and ideas?

I am working on that!!! I realize that fear has ruled a lot of my thoughts and therefore a lot of my decisions as well. But also my faith in God colors my thoughts and ideas also.

Can you see past your opinions and perceptions in order to gain perspective or are your opinions part of your identity?

I have to step out of my emotions to see clearly enough sometimes to gain perspective.This is why I usually talk to a lot of different people as well as research things to come to a decision (I mention decisions, because these are the fruits of our thoughts). At the same time, some opinions are part of my identity. Like cats are the greatest animal in the universe. Cheese is the best food ever. I refuse to gain new perspectives on important issues such as these.

In my opinion, the ability to think critically about our beliefs and ideas is incredibly important today because there is so much information flooding our minds.......much of it is propaganda used to support the beliefs of our group/tribe.

This is why I can hardly ever watch the news....I really did pick quite an election to vote in for the first time in 8 years. And straight ticket Republican is what I was raised as, which is one of the main reasons I voted how I did. The core beliefs and ideas of the Republican party is what I believe in.

Can you evaluate information that seems to support your beliefs? QAnon comes to mind.....
It seems to support positive beliefs about Trump - can you evaluate it from a neutral position?
Is it important to do so?

I think straight ticket voting helps this really...I didn't like either one of them really. Lol. But when it came down to it, I voted for the party instead of the person. Emotion was removed from the equation, so it was easier to make an educated decision.

IMO our tribe, Christianity, wants us to accept the teachings of our specific brand (denomination) without question. This mentality makes it difficult for us to evaluted secular information that seems to support our beliefs - ‘Trump is anti-abortion so he must be the right guy’ - ‘i did the right thing by voting for Trump so he must be the right guy no matter what’ therefore, ‘any criticism of Trump is a personal attack on my group and on me’. This is a dangerous mindset. It allow us to turn off our minds and i believe it can lead to disastrous results for our country and our spirituality. The devil operates in the shadows of our minds....conspiracy theories, propaganda, identity with opinion....

In 1 Samuel, God gave the people a king, because they wanted a king. But he said there would be hardship because of this. And here we are today. I have debated whether I should even vote anymore since I am a citizen of Heaven. And because most of the time what I see in politics is corruption and fighting. It hurts my heart.

1. Do you value critical thinking? I think all math is blasphemy, and we shouldn't have to think about it, but other then that yes.
2. Are you able to evaluate information that seems to support your worldview?
Yes. Though this can take minutes, hours, days, or years.

3. Is faith the same as doubling down on your ideas about God? Or, is faith allowing events to unfold, with the hope that God will make everything right?

Faith is putting things in God's hands no matter the results, and following His Word to the best of our abilities. If this includes being persecuted for our faith and/or beliefs, we are to stand in our faith, knowing that only God can destroy soul and body in Hell.

 

[aspen]

Critical thinking requires our ability to be metacognitive - thinking about our thinking. Can you step back and evaluate your own thoughts and ideas?

I am working on that!!! I realize that fear has ruled a lot of my thoughts and therefore a lot of my decisions as well. But also my faith in God colors my thoughts and ideas also.

Can you see past your opinions and perceptions in order to gain perspective or are your opinions part of your identity?

I have to step out of my emotions to see clearly enough sometimes to gain perspective.This is why I usually talk to a lot of different people as well as research things to come to a decision (I mention decisions, because these are the fruits of our thoughts). At the same time, some opinions are part of my identity. Like cats are the greatest animal in the universe. Cheese is the best food ever. I refuse to gain new perspectives on important issues such as these.

In my opinion, the ability to think critically about our beliefs and ideas is incredibly important today because there is so much information flooding our minds.......much of it is propaganda used to support the beliefs of our group/tribe.

This is why I can hardly ever watch the news....I really did pick quite an election to vote in for the first time in 8 years. And straight ticket Republican is what I was raised as, which is one of the main reasons I voted how I did. The core beliefs and ideas of the Republican party is what I believe in.

Can you evaluate information that seems to support your beliefs? QAnon comes to mind.....
It seems to support positive beliefs about Trump - can you evaluate it from a neutral position?
Is it important to do so?

I think straight ticket voting helps this really...I didn't like either one of them really. Lol. But when it came down to it, I voted for the party instead of the person. Emotion was removed from the equation, so it was easier to make an educated decision.

IMO our tribe, Christianity, wants us to accept the teachings of our specific brand (denomination) without question. This mentality makes it difficult for us to evaluted secular information that seems to support our beliefs - ‘Trump is anti-abortion so he must be the right guy’ - ‘i did the right thing by voting for Trump so he must be the right guy no matter what’ therefore, ‘any criticism of Trump is a personal attack on my group and on me’. This is a dangerous mindset. It allow us to turn off our minds and i believe it can lead to disastrous results for our country and our spirituality. The devil operates in the shadows of our minds....conspiracy theories, propaganda, identity with opinion....

In 1 Samuel, God gave the people a king, because they wanted a king. But he said there would be hardship because of this. And here we are today. I have debated whether I should even vote anymore since I am a citizen of Heaven. And because most of the time what I see in politics is corruption and fighting. It hurts my heart.

1. Do you value critical thinking? I think all math is blasphemy, and we shouldn't have to think about it, but other then that yes.
2. Are you able to evaluate information that seems to support your worldview?
Yes. Though this can take minutes, hours, days, or years.

3. Is faith the same as doubling down on your ideas about God? Or, is faith allowing events to unfold, with the hope that God will make everything right?

Faith is putting things in God's hands no matter the results, and following His Word to the best of our abilities. If this includes being persecuted for our faith and/or beliefs, we are to stand in our faith, knowing that only God can destroy soul and body in Hell.

Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I am working on all of this stuff too. I think it is really important

 

[Dcopymope]

IMO our tribe, Christianity, wants us to accept the teachings of our specific brand (denomination) without question. This mentality makes it difficult for us to evaluted secular information that seems to support our beliefs - ‘Trump is anti-abortion so he must be the right guy’ - ‘i did the right thing by voting for Trump so he must be the right guy no matter what’ therefore, ‘any criticism of Trump is a personal attack on my group and on me’. This is a dangerous mindset. It allow us to turn off our minds and i believe it can lead to disastrous results for our country and our spirituality. The devil operates in the shadows of our minds....conspiracy theories, propaganda, identity with opinion....

Well I think I kind of understand the mindset of those you describe here. For some of these people, especially the so called "christian" ones, Trump is like their lord and savior, not like Jesus per se, but more like a King Cyrus. Some of these creatures have even compared him to King Cyrus in fact. He set the Jews free from captivity, so I guess a lot of Trump supporters feel they are in captivity to someone as well in some way. For the more bigoted, they may feel they are captive to the 'minorities' they perceive as a threat because they are supposedly "taking over" their way of life, or some crap like that. So Trump, in their mind, is here to set them free and "make America great again"...you know, great like it was in the old days, the days of which we know was more or less a nightmare for the minorities, the dark skinned ones in particular.........

..........its ironic how all those "make America great again" hats were all made in China.

1. Do you value critical thinking?

Some like to pretend they do, who mistake their own personal biases and contempt towards certain groups as "thinking critically".

2. Are you able to evaluate information that seems to support your worldview?

I believe they would first have to look themselves in the mirror before they even get to that point.

3. Is faith the same as doubling down on your ideas about God? Or, is faith allowing events to unfold, with the hope that God will make everything right?

No, I would boil down faith to 'letting go and letting God', that good old saying. Doubling down on your own idea's would be the exact opposite of this.

 

[Enoch111]

In my opinion, the ability to think critically about our beliefs and ideas is incredibly important today because there is so much information flooding our minds...

Correct. And along with this people (including you) should understand that Left-Liberalism, so-called Progressivism, and Socialism are all DELUSIONAL ideas.

That is exactly why the USSR collapsed, Venezuela collapsed, China resorted to capitalism, and Cuba is a disaster zone. In spite of these failures the Democrats and Left-Liberals of America continue to delude themselves that their ideas have any merit.

Secondly, critical thinking means giving credit where credit is due, and you have never ONCE given President Trump the credit and respect he deserves for his accomplishments. So much for critical thinking.

 

[brakelite]

Here's some critical thinking. First, I am not American, therefore didn't vote Trump, nor would have if I was able. Nor would I have voted for anyone else, except perhaps one candidate maybe who dropped out of the race early as a direct result of Trump's nomination.
Trump interests me, not because he may be doing some good for the economy, not because he may be politically incorrect, nor because he infuriates the left so much, nor because the right are so blind to his shortcomings. But because more so than any president in American history, he has promised the church political power, and seems bent on providing it. Having a coterie of religious advisors surrounding him, appears to me a direct full frontal obscene gesture to the constitution and the germinating of a church/state union that will spell trouble for anyone choosing to object to the inevitable legislation that will be enacted to support a failing American Protestantism. And worse, that failing American Protestantism that Trump is petting, is drawing closer to Rome, which means whatever church/state union that will eventually emerge, will recognise Papal authority. Thus the synthesis of previous antithesis and thesis, right/left...conservative/liberal...will be an image, a mirror image to the medieval Papacy, only with the introduction of a global NWO, will be global in scale...the woman/church riding and holding the reins or controlling the direction being taken by the state power. This is my critical thinking regarding Trump, and why I am nervous, not for my sake, but the planet's.

 

[JesusIsFaithful]

Critical thinking requires our ability to be metacognitive - thinking about our thinking. Can you step back and evaluate your own thoughts and ideas?

Can you see past your opinions and perceptions in order to gain perspective or are your opinions part of your identity?

In my opinion, the ability to think critically about our beliefs and ideas is incredibly important today because there is so much information flooding our minds.......much of it is propaganda used to support the beliefs of our group/tribe.

Can you evaluate information that seems to support your beliefs? QAnon comes to mind.....
It seems to support positive beliefs about Trump - can you evaluate it from a neutral position?
Is it important to do so?

IMO our tribe, Christianity, wants us to accept the teachings of our specific brand (denomination) without question. This mentality makes it difficult for us to evaluted secular information that seems to support our beliefs - ‘Trump is anti-abortion so he must be the right guy’ - ‘i did the right thing by voting for Trump so he must be the right guy no matter what’ therefore, ‘any criticism of Trump is a personal attack on my group and on me’. This is a dangerous mindset. It allow us to turn off our minds and i believe it can lead to disastrous results for our country and our spirituality. The devil operates in the shadows of our minds....conspiracy theories, propaganda, identity with opinion....

1. Do you value critical thinking?
2. Are you able to evaluate information that seems to support your worldview?
3. Is faith the same as doubling down on your ideas about God? Or, is faith allowing events to unfold, with the hope that God will make everything right?

If you have confidence in your own intellect, then I suppose you would value your own critical thinking, but when it comes to discerning good and evil as per His words, wisdom only comes from the Lord.

I am sure the world can rationalize evil quite well enough that sometimes it needs discernment from the Lord to see the evil; and if that be true for sometimes, then it should be true for all the times.

 

[JesusIsFaithful]

Critical thinking is good. That is why when 'someone' tells me all I need to do is 'love' everyone, I don't fall for their bs. Know what I mean?

Stranger

Hate the sin but love the sinner; how do you apply that?

Didn't Jesus command us to love others, even our enemies? Of course, even there, discernment is needed from the Lord since it is not possible for us to live in peace with all men, but even then, we can forgive them and pray for them as He did taught us to pray for our enemies.

 

[Stranger]

Hate the sin but love the sinner; how do you apply that?

Didn't Jesus command us to love others, even our enemies? Of course, even there, discernment is needed from the Lord since it is not possible for us to live in peace with all men, but even then, we can forgive them and pray for them as He did taught us to pray for our enemies.

'hate the sin but love the sinner' is a manmade phrase. Of course, because the born-again believer has the Holy Spirit, he then does love some or many who are sinners without Christ. But he doesn't love all sinners, and is not required to.

What verse or verses are you addressing? If, as you say, discernment is needed, then loving ones enemies is not a blanket statement covering all our enemies.

Stranger

 

[JesusIsFaithful]

'hate the sin but love the sinner' is a manmade phrase. Of course, because the born-again believer has the Holy Spirit, he then does love some or many who are sinners without Christ. But he doesn't love all sinners, and is not required to.

What verse or verses are you addressing? If, as you say, discernment is needed, then loving ones enemies is not a blanket statement covering all our enemies.

Stranger

Jesus forewarned us not to be offended by the kind of enemies that thinks they are doing God's service by killing us;

John 16:1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

He even cites a very broad general statement in how we are to respond to enemies in spite of their actions.

Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

There is no way you and I can do that by our efforts or will power which is why I rely on Him to help me to love my enemies by supplying the love and the longsuffering to love my enemies.

Paul mentions the end purpose for suffering those afflictions;

1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Peter cites the example of Christ Whom we can look to in order to help us suffer grief wrongfully in this life.

1 Peter 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

I can't see myself not returning revile for revile or not seeking vengeance on those whom hard me or even defraud me, but He has done it; He has carried me through many situations where teh devil often times taunt me to look back on it, get mad and hateful, and imagine wrath and malice for which I turn to Him to help me stop thinking about it and to forgive them as He had done while on the cross because they know not what they do.

It is b.s. in asking believers to love their enemies by their merit and will power, but not when we lean on Him to give us the love ( which is a fruit of the Spirit ) we need and His help to love our enemies. Paul did point out that there will be situations when it is impossible to love our enemies, from which we can only stay away from them but lean on Him to love them enough to pray for them in living peaceably with all men.

Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Now if we were to apply His words to the devil since he is our enemy, I do not believe that was whom His message was for since he cannot be redeemed.

I will point out that during the great tribulation, those with the mark of the beast are damned to the lake of fire no matter what, and although I am certain that the saints are not to take vengeance on them, I would think they would not be loving those enemies, but not exactly hating them either because that would just tempt them to kill the ones with the mark of the beast.

Revelation 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

The saints know that a better place awaits them after death than what they are going through on earth during the great tribulation.

So if the saints are not allowed to kill or wage war on the devil during the great tribulation while the devil wages war on them, what should be our mental disposition towards all enemies we meet in this life before the great tribulation? It seems to be generally, to love our enemies.

 

[Nancy]

Critical thinking requires our ability to be metacognitive - thinking about our thinking. Can you step back and evaluate your own thoughts and ideas?

Can you see past your opinions and perceptions in order to gain perspective or are your opinions part of your identity?

In my opinion, the ability to think critically about our beliefs and ideas is incredibly important today because there is so much information flooding our minds.......much of it is propaganda used to support the beliefs of our group/tribe.

Can you evaluate information that seems to support your beliefs? QAnon comes to mind.....
It seems to support positive beliefs about Trump - can you evaluate it from a neutral position?
Is it important to do so?

IMO our tribe, Christianity, wants us to accept the teachings of our specific brand (denomination) without question. This mentality makes it difficult for us to evaluted secular information that seems to support our beliefs - ‘Trump is anti-abortion so he must be the right guy’ - ‘i did the right thing by voting for Trump so he must be the right guy no matter what’ therefore, ‘any criticism of Trump is a personal attack on my group and on me’. This is a dangerous mindset. It allow us to turn off our minds and i believe it can lead to disastrous results for our country and our spirituality. The devil operates in the shadows of our minds....conspiracy theories, propaganda, identity with opinion....

1. Do you value critical thinking?
2. Are you able to evaluate information that seems to support your worldview?
3. Is faith the same as doubling down on your ideas about God? Or, is faith allowing events to unfold, with the hope that God will make everything right?

Very good post aspen. I believe that critical thinking as well as not being cemented in what some man told us to believe, without checking all the scriptures used in a sermon when they get home and asking the Holy Spirit to show us what might be erroneous....Bareans!!!! I know a gazillion Christians who would just assume be "intellectually" lazy. Yes, hook line and sinker...some swallow anything they are told...same with Trump. Craziness IMO.

 

[Reggie Belafonte]

Because I have seen you bs before. For example, you declare the Christian just must love his neighbor. That defines what it is to be Christian.

Yet, you hate Trump, and white people who voted for Trump. See the 'Current Event And Political' section and the thread "I want this to Happen'. There you describe your hatred for Trump.

Thus, my critical thinking kicks in. And I say, what a hypocrite. What bs.

It is not hard to come to this conclusion via my critical thinking. Probably wouldn't be hard without it.

Stranger

Fact is that many black people voted for trump and they were all great people who wanted to make a go of it, not the sitting back types just wanting to be sponging off others and not to mention they did bag Obama as a do nothing for blacks, they were not happy at all with his crap and the fact is that Trump has looked after the blacks better than anyone.

It's always the bludgers and no hopers that bag Trump all the time, with a total load of BS not to mention that there form of critical thinking is shallow and very narrow minded.

 

[Stranger]

Jesus forewarned us not to be offended by the kind of enemies that thinks they are doing God's service by killing us;

John 16:1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended. 2 They shall put you out of the synagogues: yea, the time cometh, that whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service. 3 And these things will they do unto you, because they have not known the Father, nor me.

He even cites a very broad general statement in how we are to respond to enemies in spite of their actions.

Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? 48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

There is no way you and I can do that by our efforts or will power which is why I rely on Him to help me to love my enemies by supplying the love and the longsuffering to love my enemies.

Paul mentions the end purpose for suffering those afflictions;

1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Peter cites the example of Christ Whom we can look to in order to help us suffer grief wrongfully in this life.

1 Peter 2:19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

I can't see myself not returning revile for revile or not seeking vengeance on those whom hard me or even defraud me, but He has done it; He has carried me through many situations where teh devil often times taunt me to look back on it, get mad and hateful, and imagine wrath and malice for which I turn to Him to help me stop thinking about it and to forgive them as He had done while on the cross because they know not what they do.

It is b.s. in asking believers to love their enemies by their merit and will power, but not when we lean on Him to give us the love ( which is a fruit of the Spirit ) we need and His help to love our enemies. Paul did point out that there will be situations when it is impossible to love our enemies, from which we can only stay away from them but lean on Him to love them enough to pray for them in living peaceably with all men.

Romans 12:17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Now if we were to apply His words to the devil since he is our enemy, I do not believe that was whom His message was for since he cannot be redeemed.

I will point out that during the great tribulation, those with the mark of the beast are damned to the lake of fire no matter what, and although I am certain that the saints are not to take vengeance on them, I would think they would not be loving those enemies, but not exactly hating them either because that would just tempt them to kill the ones with the mark of the beast.

Revelation 13:9 If any man have an ear, let him hear. 10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

The saints know that a better place awaits them after death than what they are going through on earth during the great tribulation.

So if the saints are not allowed to kill or wage war on the devil during the great tribulation while the devil wages war on them, what should be our mental disposition towards all enemies we meet in this life before the great tribulation? It seems to be generally, to love our enemies.

Why do you equate 'not being offended' with 'loving everyone'?

(Matt. 5-7) is the Sermon on the Mount. The Sermon on the Mount is the law of the kingdom when Israel is once again the leading nation of God with Jesus Christ literally sitting on the throne in Jerusalem. It is not the law for the Church to follow. One can make application to it, but do not make it a law for the Church.

Yes, we as believers suffer injustice. And the believer has the Spirit of God in him that can give him the ability to endure these sufferings. That doesn't mean if I don't love everyone than I am not a believer. Aspen would have you love everyone or else you are not a believer. He wants you to love all minorities hoping you don't exhibit any kind of resistance to minorities. That way the minorities can be allowed to do what they want which is to undermine the influence of white Christians.

No one is asking you to recompense evil for evil. Just don't be stupid. That is all I am asking. As (Rom. 12:18) says, which you quoted, "...as much as lieth in you live peaceably with all men." Did you see that? "as much as lieth in you". In other words, there is a line in the sand.

Well, we are not in the Tribulation at this time. Thus the terms of living and existing for the believer are different. 'Loving your enemies' is for the kingdom rule. Not the Church. See, you missed it on both counts.

Stranger