We read in the Book of Luke that Jesus didn't come to destroy peoples' lives, but to save their lives. There were Samaritans who would not receive Jesus as He traveled; so, two of His disciples wanted to destroy them, but Jesus gave them a strong rebuke.
Luke 9
[51] And it came to pass, when the time was come that he [Jesus] should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
[52] And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
[53] And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
[54] And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
[55] But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
[56] For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
There's a great lesson here. Christians are certainly called to stand for truth with the Word of God as our sword of the spirit, but our battle is not with flesh and blood. We are not to exact vengeance, nor wish for the demise of our enemies. Love your enemies, and pray for those who despitefully use and curse you.
Luke 9
[51] And it came to pass, when the time was come that he [Jesus] should be received up, he stedfastly set his face to go to Jerusalem,
[52] And sent messengers before his face: and they went, and entered into a village of the Samaritans, to make ready for him.
[53] And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem.
[54] And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?
[55] But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of.
[56] For the Son of man is not come to destroy men's lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.
There's a great lesson here. Christians are certainly called to stand for truth with the Word of God as our sword of the spirit, but our battle is not with flesh and blood. We are not to exact vengeance, nor wish for the demise of our enemies. Love your enemies, and pray for those who despitefully use and curse you.
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