stevesonthebay
Active Member
Because everyone else doesn't by nature. By their fallen nature they seek to win over the other person. They are in competition to the other person for survival. Thats what it comes down to without Christ.
Its because its radical and opposite to what people are inclined to do is what makes it different. In fact the world sees this as being weak and submissive. Especially in a world based on individual rights over all else.
I think this teaching is one of several that destinguish Christs way from all other ways. Like giving the shirt off your own back to help another. Instead of carrying their bags for one mile as requested. Go another mile. And of course laying down your life for another, even a stranger. Which the world thinks is crazy and instead wants to kill another who opposes them.
These are the fruits of the spirit that identify Christ in Christians.
I remember Jordan Peterson giving a lecture on this subject based on psychology. The psychology of loving your enermies and turning the other cheek. He used the IRA conflict and how for years it became tit for tat killings and never seemed to end. Like many ongoing conflicts.
But at some point it is only when one side stops killing and makes themselves open to changing things. Histoy shows that peace is usually made when one side compromises and is willing to love and not kill.
