Should We Love Our Enemies Even During a Time of War?
Apr 18, 2022 by Michael L. Brown

Recently, some Christians in Ukraine came under fire for putting up billboards in their city with verses from the Bible, one of which quoted the words of Jesus from the Sermon on the Mount where He called us to love our enemies (see Matthew 5:43-48). As a result, these Christians have been branded separatists and traitors, with some calling for their church to be investigated.

But was Jesus referring to situations like this when He called us to love our enemies? Are we to love those who ruthlessly bomb our families? Are we to love those who rape our women and murder our children? Are we to love those who tie the hands of civilians behind their backs before executing them? Is this really what Jesus meant?

To be sure, these Ukrainian Christians (some of whom I know) were not calling for pacifism. They believe in defending their country, and they believe in the use of force to resist and repel the attack on their nation. In fact, I could easily see them praying for God to be with them as they fought against the Russian army, the result of which would be Russian casualties.

But can you love an enemy soldier while at the same time trying to kill him before he kills you?

Let’s first consider whom Jesus was talking to in the Sermon on the Mount, namely, first-century Jews under the occupation of Rome. They had personal enemies, religious enemies, and national enemies. And there were some Jewish groups who taught that it was absolutely right to hate their enemies.

Jesus says absolutely not. We are to love them, even the worst of them.

That means that, in times of war, you would rather see your enemy surrender than kill him, and if he did surrender, you would not treat him harshly.

It means that you would recognize his humanity, remembering that he has a loving wife and children (or parents) waiting for him at home.

That you would understand that, in all likelihood, he is simply following orders and has been fed lots of misinformation about you.

That you would want to see him rehabilitated after the war, truly repenting for his actions, truly coming to know God, and living a redemptive life. (In the case of someone who committed war crimes and would be sentenced to prison or death, even then, you would want him to repent and get right with God before he died.)

That you would even have pity on the enemy who has seemingly lost all human feeling to the point of acting like a rabid animal. Surely this was not who God created him to be. Even if he must die, we should pity his poor, lost soul.

That is how you can love your enemies even during a time of war, all while fighting with all your might to defeat that very enemy.

Some might quip in facetious response, “So, it looks like this? Before the sniper shoots the enemy in the head, he mutters under his breath, ‘Jesus loves you, and so do I. Here’s a token of my love. Bang!’”

Obviously not.

But he might pray regularly for God to have mercy on those he has to take out. Or for God to help the widows and orphans left behind. Or for God to give them a change of heart and mind, resulting in a change of actions, so the sniper does not need to take them out.

On the other hand, if the sniper enjoys the kill itself, if he revels in the bloodshed and longs to have the opportunity to take more enemy lives, I would question how much of the love of God is in his heart.

The fact is that we are products of our environment more than we care to realize, and the ones we brand as terrorists are often hailed as freedom fighters by their people. (Ask yourself this: how would British historians writing in the early 1800s describe the Revolutionary War? Our American heroes and freedom fighters were anything but that in their eyes.)

And are all Russians guilty of the barbaric Ukraine invasion? Should all Russians be blamed and hated? Obviously not.

Of course, I’m not saying there is no such thing as objective morality. Quite the contrary. For example, there was nothing good or noble about the Nazi cause. It was downright evil, to the core. And the Nazis absolutely deserved what they got. I wish they had been stopped in their tracks and destroyed years earlier.

Yet, as New Testament scholar Craig Keener notes in his shorter Matthew commentary, Jesus “also makes a demand that can require more than merely human resources for forgiveness. Corrie ten Boom, who had lost most of her family in a Nazi concentration camp, often lectured on grace. But one day a man who came to shake her hand after such a talk turned out to be a former prison guard. Only by asking God to love through her did she find the grace to take his hand and offer him Christian forgiveness.”

So, by all legal means, let the Ukrainians fight against the Russian invaders, and may their triumph over the Russian army put a stop to this senseless shedding of blood. And may the Ukrainian Christians continue to love their enemies through it all. (For those of us feeling smugly self-righteous right now, how about us loving our enemies, right where we live?)

askdrbrown

Should Ukrainian Christians love their Russian enemies, even while fighting against the Russian armies?

YES. LIKE YOU LOVE YOURSELVES, LIKE UKRAINE LOVES UKRAINE.

SELENSKY SHOULD APPROACH THE UN TO HELP THEM CREATE A TWO FULLY AUTONOMOUS STATES FEDERATION OF WU & EU STATES, WEST UKRAINE AND EAST UKRAINE. THE EAST WILL INCLUDE CRIMEA.

IT'S LOVE FOR NATO TO DRIVE RUSSIA OUT OF UKRAINE COMPLETELY. THE SAME WAY THE YORUBAS, IGBOS, TIVS, IJAWS, IBIBIOS ETCETERA ETCETERA MUST DRIVE NON RESIDENT INVADERS OUT OF THEIR LANDS.

When you don't love in any situation, particularly in War you easily commit GENOCIDE AND BREAK "THOU SHALL NOT KILL" COMMANDMENT WANTOMLY.

Following!

If the news is to be believed, apparently some young Russian soldiers were crying in Ukraine when they saw the devastation. Some were even calling for their mums. They said they were not told why to go and bomb Ukraine and were simply following orders.

Methinks the devil has taken over Putin just as he took over Pharaoh. Let's watch Putin's end.

Sadly, soldiers are trained to obey.

PastorMIsBack:
If the news is to be believed, apparently some young Russian soldiers were crying in Ukraine when they saw the devastation. Some were even calling for their mums. They said they were not told why to go and bomb Ukraine and were simply following orders.

Methinks the devil has taken over Putin just as he took over Pharaoh. Let's watch Putin's end.

Sadly, soldiers are trained to obey.

What did they think soldiers do when they enlisted


Is war a circus?

FaceTanke:

What did they think soldiers do when they enlisted


Is war a circus?

You misunderstand what I have written. They were lied to about the reasons for the war. They got to Ukraine then found out they were lied to but they must obey orders.

PastorMIsBack:


You misunderstand what I have written. They were lied to about the reasons for the war. They got to Ukraine then found out they were lied to but they must obey orders.

Lol u sef

Must soldiers be given any truth or reason to do their work?

There's nothing like that

FaceTanke:

What did they think soldiers do when they enlisted
Is war a circus?

The truth of this matter is what you just hit right on the head, there's no reason for any human to raise weapons in support of any notion or opinion raised by another fellow human. Matthew 26:52
When two persons have anything to settle within themselves {Matthew 18:15} and others in the community tried to intervene so as to resolve it for them amicably {Matthew 18:16} but the two of them ignored or rejected such idea then nobody should support either side. Matthew 17:17
Once we humans understand this logic there will be no more wars globally! Isaiah 2:2-4 compare to Psalms 46:9

OLAADEGBU:


Should Ukrainian Christians love their Russian enemies, even while fighting against the Russian armies?

Now you see how the Jehovah witnesses are better than any other religion?
They were practically able to follow Jesus's commandments and teachings about LOVE.

I can proudly say that no JWs in the Ukraine and Russia war had raised weapons against his neighbours or enemies. Cool

No matter what, a true Christian must not kill. He must always depend and trust JEHOVAH for his safety even in the face if death.

Jesus never gave us conditions to love.

God bless every JWs wherever they are!

cornelboy:


Now you see how the Jehovah witnesses are better than any other religion?
They were practically able to follow Jesus's commandments and teachings about LOVE.

I can proudly say that no JWs in the Ukraine and Russia war had raised weapons against his neighbours or enemies. Cool

No matter what, a true Christian must not kill. He must always depend and trust JEHOVAH for his safety even in the face if death.

Jesus never gave us conditions to love.

God bless every JWs wherever they are!

Jesus is the commander in chief of all the heavenly forces! Matthew 25:31

So as the most experienced soldier in the whole universe Jesus knew that the best form of DEFENSE is ATTACK. But how do you attack an enemy who has kept his/her hatred inwardly without any move?
Jesus commanded us to go and me them in their homes to dismantle that seed of hatred Satan planted in their hearts {Matthew 10:11-13} by so doing we will conquer those with conscience among them and win them over to the side of the Prince of Peace. Such individual will no longer be interested in going to kill his fellowman again over worldly politics.
This is what Vladimir Putin noticed in the activities of JWs that made him labelled us as extremists (terrorists) he realized that with our preaching and teaching no Russian will carry weapons to go and kill their neighbours.

Now imagine if all the religions on the planet are Jehovah's Witnesses, how will this planet be?

OK this stupid guy has been barred, only God knows what he's MICHIGAS is up to this time!

MaxInDHouse:


Jesus is the commander in chief of all the heavenly forces! Matthew 25:31

So as the most experienced soldier in the whole universe Jesus knew that the best form of DEFENSE is ATTACK. But how do you attack an enemy who has kept his/her hatred inwardly without any move?
Jesus commanded us to go and me them in their homes to dismantle that seed of hatred Satan planted in their hearts {Matthew 10:11-13} by so doing we will conquer those with conscience among them and win them over to the side of the Prince of Peace. Such individual will no longer be interested in going to kill his fellowman again over worldly politics.
This is what Vladimir Putin noticed in the activities of JWs that made him labelled us as extremists (terrorists) he realized that with our preaching and teaching no Russian will carry weapons to go and kill their neighbours.

Now imagine if all the religions on the planet are Jehovah's Witnesses, how will this planet be?

"By their fruits you will know them"
Only JWs have these fruits as a whole. Peace, love....

This MICHIGAS guy has gotten himself barred again!

It is key to love your enemy especially in times of war. While you defend your family, land and nation, you must always remember to love your enemy. Show respect to prisoners, don't participate in rape torture or genocide. And pray for peace.
Note; God so loved the world yet he destroyed it with water, He destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah and he led the armies of Israel to destroying many nations.

cornelboy:


"By their fruits you will know them"
Only JWs have these fruits as a whole. Peace, love....

What fruit?

OLAADEGBU:


What fruit?

Many tend to forget that there was war in heaven among the sons of God. Did God not love all his children? Yet there was a war. The bible calls the Lord, Mighty man in battle. Our hearts can be full of love yet we can go to war

OLAADEGBU:

What fruit?

All Adam's descendants are imperfect (sinners) {Romans 5:12} so none of us is fit for God's glory {Romans 3:23} but if we're under the control of God's Holy Spirit any wise observer will notice that something strange is working in the gathering of imperfect humans! Matthew 7:16-18

So what is the FRUIT that will serve as evidence of God's Holy Spirit in the midst of imperfection humans (sinners) ?
Apostle Paul answered:

On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control" Galatians 5:22-23a

So anytime you sense all these qualities in the gathering of imperfect humans (sinners) know that God's Holy Spirit is WORKING there. And Jesus is in control {Matthew 18:20} no accusation "against such a gathering can be established as LAW in any sane society" Galatians 5:23b

MaxInDHouse:


All Adam's descendants are imperfect (sinners) {Romans 5:12} so none of us is fit for God's glory {Romans 3:23} but if we're under the control of God's Holy Spirit any wise observer will notice that something strange is working in the gathering of imperfect humans! Matthew 7:16-18

So what is the FRUIT that will serve as evidence of God's Holy Spirit in the midst of imperfection humans (sinners) ?
Apostle Paul answered:

On the other hand, the fruitage of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, mildness, self-control" Galatians 5:22-23a

So anytime you sense all these qualities in the gathering of imperfect humans (sinners) know that God's Holy Spirit is WORKING there. And Jesus is in control {Matthew 18:20} no accusation "against such a gathering can be established as LAW in any sane society" Galatians 5:23b

Your so called fruit only works among yourselves. God demands real fruit not nuts.

OLAADEGBU:

Your so called fruit only works among yourselves. God demands real fruit not nuts.

It's the FRUIT Paul talked about in the Bible!
And is WORKING out BENEFITS in the gathering of JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES throughout the earth that's why we will never raise weapons against anyone because we know our brothers and sisters are in all parts of the earth. John 13:34-35
And if not people in other places are our neighbours! Mark 12:31
So we MUST NOT RAISE weapons against anyone as long as such a person is influenced by some constituted authorities {Matthew 5:41} we must always pray for them to see the need not to lift up weapons against or attack their fellowman! Luke 23:34 compare to Act 7:60

MaxInDHouse:


It's the FRUIT Paul talked about in the Bible!
And is WORKING out BENEFITS in the gathering of JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES throughout the earth that's why we will never raise weapons against anyone because we know our brothers and sisters are in all parts of the earth. John 13:34-35
And if not people in other places are our neighbours! Mark 12:31
So we MUST NOT RAISE weapons against anyone as long as such a person is influenced by some constituted authorities {Matthew 5:41} we must always pray for them to see the need not to lift up weapons against or attack their fellowman! Luke 23:34 compare to Act 7:60

What you call fruits only works within your 'kingdom halls' you are trained to wage war against the gospel truth using your Watchtower magazines are your weapon of mass destruction. Drawing souls into damnation.

OLAADEGBU:

What you call fruits only works within your 'kingdom halls' you are trained to wage war against the gospel truth using your Watchtower magazines are your weapon of mass destruction. Drawing souls into damnation.

OLÓDO!

Talks! Talks!! Talks!!!
Ọ̀gbẹ́ni quote God's word and apply it to your church let's see how Kumuyi's teachings is practically applicable and correlates with God's word! James 2:18-26

MaxInDHouse:


OLÓDO!

Talks! Talks!! Talks!!!
Ọ̀gbẹ́ni quote God's word and apply it to your church let's see how Kumuyi's teachings is practically applicable and correlates with God's word! James 2:18-26

It certainly doesn't correlate with the Watchtower's dogma that you take as your final authority.

OLAADEGBU:

What fruit?

Joy peace love .....

cornelboy:


Joy peace love .....

Unionism is different from unity. What you have is unionism in the heresy you've been indoctrinated with.

OLAADEGBU:


Unionism is different from unity. What you have is unionism in the heresy you've been indoctrinated with.

Lol when Jesus taught that we should love our enemies and neighbors and avoid settling disputes with sword, it's only the Jehovah witnesses that fully follow Christ teachings.
They don't engage in military services nor world politics. They stand for God's Kingdom.

They translated the Bible and their sites to more than 1k languages just to make the good news reach everyone.

Are they not the real followers of Christ?

OLAADEGBU:


Unionism is different from unity. What you have is unionism in the heresy you've been indoctrinated with.

Did I even mention unity?

cornelboy:


Did I even mention unity?

You love yourselves in evil even as thieves and drug abusers love themselves, what's the difference?

cornelboy:


Lol when Jesus taught that we should love our enemies and neighbors and avoid settling disputes with sword, it's only the Jehovah witnesses that fully follow Christ teachings.

There is spiritual warfare before the physical warfare takes place but your intention is to disarm true believers of their spiritual armour (truth) with your half truth and lies (Watchtower literature) and then display virtue signalling that you don't take part in warfare. The devil has deceived you lot into being used to fight for him against God.

cornelboy:


They don't engage in military services nor world politics. They stand for God's Kingdom.

You have no business standing for a Kingdom you are fighting against.

cornelboy:


They translated the Bible and their sites to more than 1k languages just to make the good news reach everyone.

Twisting and changing the truth of the Bible does not preaching the gospel. What you are doing is polluting the waters with poison for the unsuspecting to drink.

cornelboy:


Are they not the real followers of Christ?

More like followers of the anti Christ/Anti God.