During this time of Hanukkah, as we think about the war of the Maccabees, we are reminded of the fact that we lose some battles, but are promised the final victory against the Syrian Antichrist, and against all of our other enemies.
Luke 6:20–36
:27-28 “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”
Often wrongly interpreted to mean that we don’t have any right to self defense, and that we shouldn’t wage war against evil nations, which goes contrary to much of the bible.
Context is living in a world full of evil people, being oppressed by the rich, being hated for our acceptance of truth on a daily basis.
The real meaning of verses 27-29 is that as we live our lives daily, that we should try to be at peace with people in general on a daily basis. But it doesn’t prohibit special times of rebuke, war and self defense.
Jesus, the apostles, disciples & prophets never said “God bless you” to their enemies.
Many times I have seen/heard “Christians” say “God bless you” when they got angry against me for sharing the truth with them, because they thought that I was bringing false doctrine and they thought that they was “blessing their enemy”. But 2 John 8-11 tells us to not say “God speed” or “God bless” when someone is bring false doctrine. Perfect example of how ignorant those people are of scripture!
Jesus, the apostles and disciples & prophets also didn’t bless their enemies with appeasement via peace plans & compromise with evil and equipping their enemies with weapons to be used against us. They didn’t fund their enemies. They didn’t give funds/weapons to the enemies, even when asked. Instead, they used wisdom at all times.
Romans 12:10-21 Has the exact same context as Luke 6 and teaches us the correct interpretation of Luke 6, that is to feed our enemies when they are hungry. The same would be to help them if they are choking or drowning.
Sometimes, God’s plan for us includes that we temporarily become the slaves/servants to the wicked rich people, so that we will eventually inherit their blessings, such as what happened with Joseph.
God doesn’t expect us to help the Syrians/Russians/Putin/Chinese/Democrats/Iranians/Gaza/Palestinians defeat us. He doesn’t require us to support them and their evil agenda. Nor to say “God bless you” to them.
But He would like for us to try to get along with our coworkers, bosses, and neighbors, as much as possible, even though they secretly hate us, and even though they oppress us. Even though the rich oppress the poor.
I just ordered some fire wood and received less wood than that I was expecting for the price. And at first, I thought about giving the seller a bad review online and speaking against him online in public. But I really like the person himself and focused on the good points about the man, rather than the negative. I spoke very friendly to him and gave him the money agreed upon, although I felt like I was getting ripped off. But he had traveled a long distance to deliver the wood, so I respected him and continued with the transaction, and won’t be giving him a bad review. This is blessing my enemy even when I feel oppressed by the rich.
We have Catholic neighbors, but we are not obligated by Jesus to go over to their house and give them a list of their sins, & tell them why they are wrong on everything. Same with every false Christian that we meet or know. They aren’t going to listen anyway. We can’t escape this corrupt world yet. We must get along with the world in part, as much as we are able. We paid our 1st tithe of tomatoes & peppers to our neighbors although in some sense they are our enemies, perhaps they might be funding Satan, i.e. the Roman Catholic “Pope”.
Daniel could had refused to serve the pagan king Nebuchadnezzar, giving him a list of his sins and false beliefs. But instead, he served as a good slave as also did Joseph to his masters. Sometimes we have to bless/serve our enemies in patience, waiting for our redemption and reward. Eventually our enemies bless us. Psalm 23, I literally sit at the food table with my pagan enemy who I serve as a slave, but I will continue to dwell in the house of The LORD, where Jesus has set me, until Jesus moves me.